Epiliation refers to the removal of hair. Many adults epilate though shaving, waxing, tweezing or using an epilator--an electric device with rotating discs that pull out hairs at the root--on the body area they wish to be hair-free. One common problem with epilation is ingrown hairs. Ingrown hairs, according to SkinBiology.com, are strands of hair that have been cut or removed. When growing back, these hairs fail to penetrate the skin and become stuck under the top epidermis layer, resulting in inflammation, known as razor bumps. One way to prevent and treat ingrown hairs is to scrub, or exfoliate, the epilated skin before and after you remove the hair. Scrubbing removes dead skin and can massage the area with ingrown hairs, allowing them to break through the skin.
Step 1
Apply the exfoliant with your fingers, washcloth or loofah. Gently scrub the product over your skin in a circular motion.
Step 2
Rinse off the product with warm water. The warm water will help soften the skin which may help the ingrown hair pop through.
Step 3
Apply an anti-inflammatory lotion, such as aloe vera, to the affected area to help ease itchiness or pain caused by the ingrown hair.
Step 4
Repeat this process before shaving, waxing, tweezing or epilating again to prevent ingrown hairs.
Tips and Warnings
- Choose an exfoliation product that contains salicylic acid or beta hydroxy acid. These acids, along with the scrubbing motion, will help remove the dead skin. You can buy these products in drugstores, big-box stores and often in a grocery store. You can also make your own exfoliant by crushing aspirin and mixing it with a few drops of water to make a paste. The aspirin contains salicylic acid and the tiny granules will help exfoliate the skin.
Things You'll Need
- Exfoliant
