Chrissy64_uk
06-09-2009, 07:25 PM
Seems many have asked about this lately.
Ingrown hairs (also called pseudofolliculitis) are hairs that either grow into the wall of the follicle (i.e. don't leave the follicle), or leave the follicle and curl back and penetrate into the skin. People with curly hair often experience more ingrown hairs because the hair curls back into the skin. What makes matters worse is that when you shave the hair, it makes them sharper and therefore more likely to penetrate the skin. Men often get ingrown beard hairs, and women can often get them after shaving or waxing their legs, underarms, and bikini lines.
There are a number of techniques that are recommended to alleviate ingrown hairs on sensitive parts of the body; these are:
* Using an electric shaver can help the condition because it does not cut the hair as close to the skin as a razor blades does
* Chemical shaves are a technique some doctors recommend
* Shave only every other day with a single blade razor if possible
* Use a loofah twice a day to help draw the hairs back out from the skin
* Consider laser hair removal, as some patients have experienced fewer ingrown hairs
If you do prefer to shave using a razor then follow these steps:
1. Wash you face with a mild cleanser and then rinse.
2. Massage the area to be shaved gently in a circular motion with a warm, moist, soft washcloth. This motion will free up the hair tips, drawing them out of the skin so they can be cut with the razor. The warm water will also soften the hairs, making them much easier to cut.
3. Apply a non-irritating shaving gel rather than a cream or lotion. Now shave in the direction of the hair growth. It is better to use a single blade razor and try not to pull the skin taut when shaving. Change your single blade razor after every third use, as dull blades increase razor bumps.
4. After you have finished shaving, rinse thoroughly with warm water and apply a mild moisturizing aftershave lotion every other day, rather than daily.
Do not be tempted to tweeze out ingrown hairs as this may cause skin damage and increase the likelihood of more ingrown hairs.
There a number of issues to consider when you shave body hair; these are:
* Be careful not to cut any natural bumps in your skin, such as moles, warts and your Adam's Apple.
* Avoid using a shaving brush if your skin is sensitive or oily, as they are fairly harsh.
* Avoid shaving in the opposite direction of the hair growth as this can lead to ingrown hairs.
* Razor blades are very sharp. Do not test the sharpness of a blade with your fingertips.
* Do not share razors, as infections can be easily spread.
* Do not use a bent or rusted razor as this is likely to cause infection and razor burns.
Ingrown hairs (also called pseudofolliculitis) are hairs that either grow into the wall of the follicle (i.e. don't leave the follicle), or leave the follicle and curl back and penetrate into the skin. People with curly hair often experience more ingrown hairs because the hair curls back into the skin. What makes matters worse is that when you shave the hair, it makes them sharper and therefore more likely to penetrate the skin. Men often get ingrown beard hairs, and women can often get them after shaving or waxing their legs, underarms, and bikini lines.
There are a number of techniques that are recommended to alleviate ingrown hairs on sensitive parts of the body; these are:
* Using an electric shaver can help the condition because it does not cut the hair as close to the skin as a razor blades does
* Chemical shaves are a technique some doctors recommend
* Shave only every other day with a single blade razor if possible
* Use a loofah twice a day to help draw the hairs back out from the skin
* Consider laser hair removal, as some patients have experienced fewer ingrown hairs
If you do prefer to shave using a razor then follow these steps:
1. Wash you face with a mild cleanser and then rinse.
2. Massage the area to be shaved gently in a circular motion with a warm, moist, soft washcloth. This motion will free up the hair tips, drawing them out of the skin so they can be cut with the razor. The warm water will also soften the hairs, making them much easier to cut.
3. Apply a non-irritating shaving gel rather than a cream or lotion. Now shave in the direction of the hair growth. It is better to use a single blade razor and try not to pull the skin taut when shaving. Change your single blade razor after every third use, as dull blades increase razor bumps.
4. After you have finished shaving, rinse thoroughly with warm water and apply a mild moisturizing aftershave lotion every other day, rather than daily.
Do not be tempted to tweeze out ingrown hairs as this may cause skin damage and increase the likelihood of more ingrown hairs.
There a number of issues to consider when you shave body hair; these are:
* Be careful not to cut any natural bumps in your skin, such as moles, warts and your Adam's Apple.
* Avoid using a shaving brush if your skin is sensitive or oily, as they are fairly harsh.
* Avoid shaving in the opposite direction of the hair growth as this can lead to ingrown hairs.
* Razor blades are very sharp. Do not test the sharpness of a blade with your fingertips.
* Do not share razors, as infections can be easily spread.
* Do not use a bent or rusted razor as this is likely to cause infection and razor burns.