Ingrown hair may be referred to as a type of hair that grows back into the skin instead of rising upwards from it. Clogging of the hair follicles by dead skin often forces sideways growth of the hair underneath the skin. Also, when naturally curly hair is cut too short, the sharpened hair ends can cause ingrown hair by piercing the skin. Waxing is another common reason behind the formation of ingrown hair.
Waxing can result in ingrown hair when the hair is not able to break the skin surface or can’t come out completely, and eventually makes its way back into the skin. This happens mostly in areas that have thick and curly hair, such as the bikini line. However, this type of ingrown hair can form in any part of the body.
The goal of waxing is to eliminate all strands of hair. However, at times, it results in hair breakage either below or above the surface of the skin. This happens mainly because of the stress resulting from removing the wax in the opposite direction of hair growth. This results in the formation of blunt and sharp hair instead of natural hair with its beveled edge. As a result of this sharpness, the skin gets pierced by the hair, and then it grew back into the skin.
Mentioned below are some tips to prevent this annoying problem after waxing
- The best remedy to this problem is to stop ingrown hair before they start growing. There are many products available in the market for this purpose. Some of these products have excellent moisturizing and exfoliating properties. Rather than dealing with redness and bumps, it is much easier to prevent them beforehand. Therefore, apply a high-quality serum prior to waxing to prevent ingrown hair.
- Before waxing, prep your skin by cleansing it thoroughly with soap and warm water. Dirt and dead skin cells can potentially clog the pores and make it extremely difficult to pull out the hair follicles. Warm water makes the skin soft, more pliable, and it becomes much easier to pull out the follicles. The water should not be too hot because it can be extremely uncomfortable.
- It is also possible to remove dead skin cells by exfoliating the skin before waxing with a mild exfoliator. One day after waxing, gently exfoliate the skin once again, if the area is not irritated or inflamed. Depending on your skin and hair type, continue to exfoliate your skin a couple of times over a week’s time. Adequate exfoliation will ensure that your hair points up and grows in the correct direction. Instead of using chemical exfoliators, opt for something gentle with soothing ingredients such as soy or aloe.
- Serums and moisturizers are great options for preventing the appearance of ingrown hair. Moisturizers containing aloe are highly effective in relieving inflammation and redness. Products containing alpha hydroxy acids are highly recommended because they are capable of loosening dead skin cells that are often responsible for ingrown hairs.
- If you plan to undergo a bikini wax, avoid wearing tight clothes on the day of waxing. Ideally, your skin should not be constricted, and be able to breathe properly after waxing. Tight clothes not only irritate the waxed area, but it may also cause the hair to grow back at a later stage.
- Immediately after waxing, cold compress the skin to reduce irritation. This will also allow the pores to open up, allowing the hair to grow in the right direction.
- Finally, if you ever notice ingrown hairs anywhere in the body, never pluck them because this can cause infections and scarring. Instead, exfoliate the surrounding area using an appropriate product so that the hair is set free.
You may head over to Nacach.com for more reliable tips related to waxing.