What Are The Causes Of Severe Ingrown Hairs?

Almost everyone will have at least one ingrown hair in their lifetime, according to The Skin Center in Laguna Hills, California. These unsightly cosmetic problems often go away on their own, although some individuals experience more severe pain and inflammation than others. Severely ingrown hairs are susceptible to scarring and infection, making it important to speak to a doctor or dermatologist if you experience an ingrown hair that is particularly itchy or painful, regardless of the cause.

Improper Shaving Technique

Shaving too close can be a bad thing if you're prone to ingrown hairs and improper shaving techniques can contribute to their occurrence. If you pull your skin tight while shaving and are predisposed to ingrown hairs due to genetics, you can end up with a severely ingrown hair. Using razors with multiple blades is another culprit -- the first blade pulls the hair outward while the second cuts it. When this tension is created, the hair can coil back into the skin, leading to an ingrown hair. Near-constant irritation due to chafing clothing or daily shaving can introduce bacteria to the site or cause scar tissue to develop, both of which can make ingrown hairs worse. Speak to your doctor regarding prevention and treatment for ingrown hairs caused by shaving.

Dry Skin

What affects your skin also affects your hair. When your body is deprived of the natural oils that keep skin and hair soft, hair feels coarser and may be more likely to develop into an ingrown hair upon removal. Dry skin is more easily chapped and irritated and may contribute to a build up of bacteria and dead skin cells around the hair follicle opening. Talk to your doctor about whether a moisturizer may help prevent severely ingrown hairs.

Personal Hygiene

Ingrown hairs aren't always the result of hair removal techniques -- sometimes they're caused by mitigating circumstances. The Skin Center of Laguna Hills, California advises patients that ingrown hairs are sometimes the result of a blockage caused by the buildup of dead skin over the hair follicle opening. When the opening is blocked, hair grows sideways and pierces the follicle wall. Consider using a light exfoliant before shaving to remove this buildup or speak to your doctor about developing a skin care regimen that can reduce the amount of dead skin cells present on your body.

Genetics

The greatest factor in the development of ingrown hairs is something beyond your control: your genetics, notes MayoClinic.com. Individuals with coarse, tightly curled hair are more prone to ingrown hairs than those with fine, straighter hair. The shape and texture of the hair makes the hair follicle more likely to curl back into itself and become ingrown. While ingrown hairs can happen to any person with any type of hair, those with coarse, curly hair are more likely to experience a severely ingrown hair.