Do you have inflamed bumps on your skin every time you shave or wax because of ingrown hairs?
Read our explanations and tips to beat ingrown hairs so you can go out in a swimsuit and enjoy smooth legs all year round!
Doctor, what is an ingrown hair?
A hair is ingrown when it doesn’t break through the dermis. There are two possible reasons for this:
- The hair grew in the wrong direction.
- Skin is dehydrated and is insufficiently exfoliated. Dead skin cells persist and prevent the hair from crossing through the skin.
Ingrown hairs appear most often after shaving, waxing, or removing hair with an electric epilator. People with curly or kinky body hairs are affected the most.
Causes of ingrown hairs
The leading cause of ingrown hairs is hair removal.
It also happens if the skin is too thick or if the follicular orifice is blocked (by sebum or dead skin cells, for example). In these cases, the hair deviates from its natural route and continues to grow beneath the skin. This can cause pimples to form, which can then leave scars!
Skin and hair type play a very important role in the growth of hairs under the skin. For example, having skin with curly hair can increase the likelihood that hairs will spiral and twist under the skin without piercing through the dermis.
Pressure and friction caused by tight clothing can also make skin more prone to developing ingrown hairs.
How can they be treated?
No matter which technique is chosen, it’s important to thoroughly disinfect hair removal tools prior to use with a sanitizing spray. It’s best to shave in the direction of hair growth, rather than in the opposite direction. Using exfoliating scrubs on a regular basis is also recommended to exfoliate skin as much as possible, thereby preventing blockages.
Without a doubt, the most effective method is laser hair removal. The laser beam focuses on the melanin present in the hair and breaks it up. In fact, the laser follows along the length of the hair down to the root, then destroys it with heat.
Laser hair removal will be complete, depending on the area, after about 5 to 8 sessions. 80% to 90% of hairs will be destroyed.
The destroyed hairs can no longer be ingrown. The days of painful pimples and scarring after hair removal are over!
Which areas can be treated?
Laser hair removal can be performed on the body and face.
At Lazeo, we use the best machines on the market, which can safely and effectively remove hair from all skin colors.
UNDERARMS
The underarms are one of the most frequently requested areas for hair removal. The risk of ingrown hairs in that area is high, so laser treatment is recommended. It removes the hair in 5 to 8 sessions. Sessions must be spaced about 6 weeks apart.
BIKINI AREA
The bikini area is also very popular since it’s prone to ingrown hairs, the skin being generally thicker there than on the rest of the body. Treatment requires about 5 to 8 sessions, depending on various factors such as skin color and hair density.
LEGS
Laser hair removal can also remove ingrown hairs on the legs. For women with moderate hair density, 6 to 8 laser hair removal sessions are generally enough for the legs.
FACE
The face is another area that can be treated with laser hair removal.
And this doesn’t only apply to women. Some men are looking for a permanently sculpted beard.
Long-lasting laser hair removal in the beard can help remove unwanted hairs and also reduce the chance that there will be ingrown hairs after frequent shaving, which can irritate skin. On average, between 7 and 10 sessions are required for optimal results.
CHEST
Many men also need definitive hair removal on their chests, either for cosmetic or personal reasons. Laser hair removal on the chest generally requires 6 to 8 treatments, 6 weeks apart.
BACK
Lastly, since ingrown hairs occur repeatedly on the back, this is one of the most frequently requested areas for laser hair removal by men.
For complete hair removal on the back, about 8 to 10 sessions are required at 6-week intervals, depending on hair density and the speed of regrowth. Please note that the back includes a few different areas (upper back, lower back, etc.).
