Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Ingrown hair not only prove to be an ugly sight but can also get painful. It is embarrassing to have a whole load of ingrowths on hands and legs and they also prevent you from flaunting your otherwise beautifully toned limbs. Ingrown hair or ingrowths look like tiny bumps on the skin.Beauty Tips How to Prevent Ingrowth




Ingrown hair not only prove to be an ugly sight but can also get painful. It is embarrassing to have a whole load of ingrowths on hands and legs and they also prevent you from flaunting your otherwise beautifully toned limbs. Ingrown hair or ingrowths look like tiny bumps on the skin. They occur when hair grows within the hair follicle instead of outside the follicle. Consultant dermatologist Dr Kshama Vibhakar says these bumps can also get infected leading to folliculitis. Folliculitis occurs because of blockage of the hair follicle. Boils or pimples might form in the hair follicle which then itch and could salso lead to pus formation.
   
What causes it
Ingrown hair often occur because of improper methods of hair removal. "Not waxing or shaving properly are the most common reasons for ingrown hair," quips Vibhakar. "When skin is not completely stretched and hair is removed or pulled out, only a part of the hair is removed. The rest of the hair recoils and grows inside the hair follicle. This leads to ingrowths, clogged pores and eventually folliculitis."

So how to prevent it?
Vibhakar advises to wax hair only when your hair have grown properly and completely. "Hair cannot be pulled off completely if the growth is very small. Hence do not wax hair when you don't have a full growth," she says.

She shares a few tips
  • Instruct the waxing technician to stretch the skin and wax properly.
  • If shaving is your preferred method of hair removal, then remember to shave in the direction of the hair growth instead of against it. Also shave hair when they are wet because wet hair equals to soft hair. Ensure to wet hair for at least five minutes before shaving it.
  • Clean the area of the ingrowth with a little hydrogen peroxide and then gently remove the ingrowth with a pair of a sterile tweezers. But remember to pluck it out in the direction of the hair growth.
  • It helps to bathe with warm water before opting for any technique of hair removal. As hair can be easily removed from the root, when the pores open up.
  • Exfoliate your skin to reduce the occurrence of ingrowths. Because your pores have become clogged, it is extremely important that you scrub your skin with an appropriate exfoliator. Always use warm water before you start exfoliating the skin as it opens up the pores on the skin thus helping in removing dirt and grime. Regular exfoliation will make the ingrown hair grow out of the hair follicle.
  • You can use exfoliators available in the stores or make your own at home. Salt mixed with olive oil is an effective exfoliator or you could opt for sugar instead of salt.
  • Wear loose clothes after shaving or waxing.

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