Ingrown hair can make your skin dry and rough! Here are 3 ways to prevent it

How to get rid of ingrown hair on legs? Here are 3 ways to prevent it and tips to keep in mind while using a razor to avoid ingrown hair.
how to get rid of ingrown hair
Ingrown hair can make your skin rough and dry. Image courtesy: Shutterstock
Dr Shruti Saini Published: 8 Sep 2022, 10:15 am IST
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Those who shave or wax their body hair will be familiar with ingrown hair and the pain and irritation they cause. Ingrown hair tends to curl back into the skin instead of growing outward and usually occurs in areas where people shave. This may happen due to infection or highly inflamed areas and lead to itchiness, sore spots and even pigmented areas. If you have ingrown hair, try to avoid the temptation to pull it out. It usually resolves on its own but if it persists, you should see your doctor. So, how to get rid of ingrown hair? Let’s find out.

Here are 3 ways to avoid ingrown hair:

1. Exfoliation

Well, through exfoliation you can remove any buildup of skin cells that can trap a growing hair. Keep in mind these 3 things:

  • Gently using warm water and soap can help ease the ingrown hair out of the skin on its own.
  • Exfoliation can be done simply with physical exfoliators and skin products with acids like glycolic acid or salicylic acid.
  • Remember not to over exfoliate; 2-3 times a week is enough.
how to get rid of ingrown hair
Use a good scrub to exfoliate your legs! Image courtesy: Shutterstock

2. Laser treatment

Removing the hair permanently with a laser treatment can also be helpful instead of waxing or shaving to avoid ingrown hair condition. For a refractory condition such as excising or destroying the involved follicle, that can completely prevent hair growth, may be suggested. If it’s an inflammatory lesion, topical antibiotics may be prescribed by your doctor.

3. Tweezer

If you want to prevent scarring or infection due to ingrown hair, don’t scratch or pop it. You can spread the infection if you try to remove an infected ingrown hair. You can gently pull the hair straight using clean tweezers, if it has surfaced above the skin.

Keep these 5 tips in mind while using a razor:

Remember, using disposable razors instead of reusing the same razor lurking in the corner of your shelf for way too long isn’t the solution. So;

  1. If you want to shave, it’s always good to use the best blade.
  2. If you are using a manual razor, it’s very important to find a good shaving cream.
  3. The best way to prevent drying out your skin is using an alcohol- free and sensitive formula.
  4. You are more likely to have an ingrown hair if you shave in the same direction as the hair growth.
  5. Try using an electric shaver and hold it just above the surface of the skin.
how to get rid of ingrown hair
Hair removal can cause ingrown hair. Image courtesy: Shutterstock

When to see your doctor for ingrown hair:

You might need to see your doctor about your ingrown hair or ingrown hair cyst:

1. If it persists and your problem doesn’t resolves on its own.
2. If it has turned into a cyst, increasing in size or leaking pus.
3. If the infected ingrown hair spreads to the surrounding skin.
4. You have accompanying symptoms along with the ingrown hair like high temperature or fever.
5. If you have tried more or less of everything to get rid of your ingrown hair then it’s time to make laser hair removal your next step. Once the client decides to go for it, as time goes with each laser session, those inflamed follicles shed entirely. For a successful treatment, you don’t miss your course of treatments usually needed at four week intervals.

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About the Author

Dr Shruti Saini is a periodontist, and oral implantologist, Malviya Nagar, Delhi ...Read More

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