Ingrown Facial Hair Remedies

Ingrown Facial Hair Remedies
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According to The Mayo Clinic, ingrown facial hairs most commonly appear on the chin, neck and cheeks of blacks and Hispanics between the ages of 14 and 25. The clinic reports that ingrown hairs are created by shaving. When you shave, your hairs develop sharp edges that can curl and effectively re-enter your skin. When a hair penetrates your skin it can become inflamed and form puss-filled blisters. Fortunately, there are remedies to help cure, and possibly prevent, ingrown facial hairs from forming.

Razor Movements

You should always use new razors with sharp blades. Also, it is important that you shave in the same direction of your hair growth and avoid making repeated strokes in the identical section.

Don't Shave

The best technique to avoid getting ingrown hairs is to stop shaving entirely.

Electric Razors

The website Healthy Skincare suggests tips to shave in a manner that won't leave you with ingrown facial hairs. You may consider shaving with an electric razor rather than a standard one. Standard razors cut very close to the skin and they leave your hairs particularly sharp. When hairs are spiky, they are more likely to pierce your skin and become infected. However, when you shave with an electronic razor, the blades don't cut as close to your skin and this lessens the chance that ingrown hairs will form.

Wash Before Shaving

When your hair is wet, it is easier to shave than when it is dry. Dry hair is tougher and stronger than wet hair. Therefore, you should wash your face with warm water thoroughly before shaving. Subsequently apply a lubricated shave gel product to the areas that you plan to cut.

Medications

If your skin is particularly bad, your doctor or dermatologist can prescribe a medication to combat your condition. The Mayo Clinic names retinoids, corticosteroids and oral antibiotics as some medications that can help.

Creams and Electrolysis

If the problem is severe, your chronic ingrown hair problem can be treated with depilatory creams or electrolysis. Healthy Skin Care reports that depilatory creams can temporarily remove your hair. Electrolysis is a more permanent solution. Electrolysis is conducted with a metal probe that resembles a needle. An electric current emerges from the needle and destroys the roots that create hair follicles.

References

Article reviewed by Kathleen Stebbins Last updated on: Jun 4, 2010

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