An ingrown hair is a hair that has grown backwards into the skin, rather than growing upwards from the follicle. This causes the skin to inflame and a small pink or tan bump to form. A small part of the underlying hair can usually be seen under the bump.
Anyone can suffer with ingrowing hairs, however those with curly or coarse hair tend to be more prone. Ingrowing hairs most often occur in areas where the hair has been shaved or waxed, particularly in the bikini line for women and in the beard and neck for men. These forms of depilation can cause the hair follicles to break and become sharp; disrupting normal growth, leading to ingrowing hairs.
Although generally harmless, ingrowing hairs can be painful, especially when infected. If you are prone to this condition, it is important to avoid waxing and shaving as this may cause further aggravation and more ingrowing hairs to occur.
sk:n offer a variety of treatments to dislodge ingrowing hairs and to remove unwanted hair completely.
I found myself in an endless circle of wanting to shave because of my hair growth, and then not wanting to due to the persistent ingrown hairs. I am so glad to be rid of the problem with Laser Hair Removal
Neelum Chohan, Leeds
Treatments for ingrowing hairs
At sk:n we use several techniques to tackle ingrowing hairs. Upon your consultation your practitioner will advise you of the best option for your individual case.
Laser Hair Removal
The best way to be rid of ingrowing hairs is to stop the problem at the source. Laser hair removal gives the longest lasting and most effective results of all hair removal methods. This laser treatment targets the hair follicles with a high beam laser. The laser beam is pulsed over the skin in the area being treated, ensuring that every hair has been targeted across the sessions.
Unlike shaving, waxing and depilatory creams, with laser hair removal the hairs fall out from the root so there are no prickly patches or ingrowing hairs. The treatment is suitable for the face and body, and is designed for all skin types and tones. The treatment works particularly well on coarse hair, and therefore is ideal for those prone to ingrowing hairs.
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT LASER HAIR REMOVAL
Exfoliation treatments
We offer a variety of exfoliating treatments that can help with stubborn ingrowing hairs. Specific skin peels, and microdermabrasion both work to remove dead skin cells that are trapped in the hair follicle and over the ingrowing hair, freeing it to heal naturally. These are preventative treatments rather than 'fixes' to existing ingrowing hairs.
A skin peel involves applying a non-toxic chemical solution to the skin to encourage skin cell turnover, allowing fresh, soft skin to replace it. Microdermabrasion is performed using a mechanical device which simultaneously buffs away unwanted dead skin cells using microcrystals and vacuums the top layer of skin.
Although both exfoliation treatments will help the condition, they are not long-term solutions for eradicating the problem, especially if you choose to continue with temporary hair removal methods such as shaving and waxing.
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