Ingrown hair. What to do?

Depilation for a modern woman, as well as for men, has long become a mandatory procedure - we do it all year round, because it is relevant both in winter and in summer. In pursuit of smooth skin, we often get an accompanying unpleasant bonus in the form of ingrown hairs.

Ingrown hair is a rather unpleasant problem that many girls face. Ingrown hairs are often accompanied by inflammatory processes that cause pain. In addition, the hairs look ugly, and it is difficult to remove them, and the further the general condition of the skin becomes worse .. In fact, the formula for a beautiful well-groomed is simple: cleansing, peeling, daily moisturizing. However, let's try to answer the question: why does hair grow in, and how to deal with it?

How does hair grow?

The process of hair ingrowth depends on the density of the epidermis, it is difficult for a thin growing hair to break through to the surface of the skin, and it chooses the path of least resistance, bending and taking not a vertical, but a horizontal position. In people with dark skin, ingrown hairs after depilation appear more often than in fair-skinned people. This is due to the fact that dark and coarse hairs grow more intensively than light and thin ones. An independent solution to the problem can only aggravate the condition of the skin, so for the treatment of ingrown hairs after depilation, you need to contact a professional cosmetologist.

When removed, part of the hair may remain on the surface of the skin, therefore, when traumatized, it grows in the opposite direction and damages the epidermis, that is, it grows into the skin. Also, the hair may not be completely removed, but some of it remains under the skin. Due to the fact that it is weakened as a result of trauma, it may not penetrate the skin and rise above the surface. Then inflammation will begin in this place. It is also possible that during trauma during epilation or depilation, damage to the hair follicle may occur, and then the direction of hair growth will change, it will grow horizontally, parallel to the skin and without breaking through it.

What reasons

ingrown hairs?

Weakening of hair after depilation.

By removing the hairs along with the roots, we partially injure the follicle. With regular depilation, the follicle weakens and cannot produce healthy and strong hair, so over time the hairs become thin and weak. Some of them cannot break through to the surface and begin to grow under the skin.

Dry skin.

In dry skin, the upper layer of the epidermis is quite dense and thick. Dry skin flakes do not peel off, but remain on the surface of the skin and clog the lumen of the hair canal

The formation of sebaceous plugs.

The sebaceous glands secrete an oily substance (sebaceous fat), which enters the hair follicle through the ducts of the sebaceous glands, lubricates the hair and the surface of the skin. But if the hair is removed, then the sebaceous fat enters the hairless follicle, gradually accumulates there and forms a congestion. The hair grows in a follicle clogged with a sebaceous plug.

Unprofessional performance of the depilation procedure

Use of aggressive hair removal products;

hair removal in violation of the rules;

use of mechanical means for hair removal.

Poor-quality hair removal - when the hair is removed not with the root, but broken off at the base. There are also broken hairs with a damaged and stratified tip. A broken hair has a strong follicle, in which development processes proceed normally, but a damaged tip does not allow the hair to break through to the surface of the skin.

Improper skin care before and after depilation

Use of rough scrubs. Such products remove dry skin flakes more than normal, sometimes re-peeling is obtained. In response, the skin builds up even more dry particles to maintain a protective barrier.

Use of harsh alkaline personal care products. Alkaline products, together with dirt and dust, completely wash away fat and sweat secretions from the skin, thereby breaking the hydrolipid layer. The response of the skin is to secrete as much oil and sweat as possible to restore the protective barrier.

The use of oils and greasy creams, especially in the armpits and bikini area. These products create an oily film on the skin through which the skin does not breathe.

Wearing tight clothes and underwear. Under the influence of tight clothing, the skin is rubbed, becomes rough and dry, the “pantyhose effect” appears. Wearing synthetic underwear, panty liners. Synthetic materials limit air exchange, the skin does not breathe, sweats. Synthetic underwear does not allow moisture to evaporate from the surface of the skin, which often leads to the development of a bactericidal infection - inflammation and diaper rash occur.

Ingrown hair prevention