Ingrown Hair : Causes, Prevention and Home Remedies

Ingrown hair,as in Wikipedia is a condition where the hair curls back or grows sideways into the skin. The ingrown hair condition is seen primarily among people having curly hairs. It may or may not be accompanied by an infection of the hair follicle or "razor bumps", which vary in size. While ingrown hair most commonly appears in areas where the skin is shaved or waxed (beard, legs, pubic region), it can appear anywhere.

Anything which causes the hair to be broken off short with a sharp tip can cause ingrown hair. Shaving is the leading cause, followed by waxing and tight clothing. Sometimes an ingrown hair occurs without external intervention, when the pore is blocked for various reasons, as is the case in keratosis pilaris, and the hair is forced to grow sideways.

Whilst ingrown hair is unattractive and painful, often leading to infection, it is easily removable. Following are some simple ways in which you can get rid of ingrown hair.

. One of the simplest ways to get rid of ingrown hair is exfoliation, where you scrub the area, at least twice daily.

. Applying warm compress to the area will help lift the hair from the follicle, which in turn will allow for its easy removal. The heat from the warm water will actually soften the hair and allow its easy and fast removal.

. Application of acne medication on the area will help soften the hair and enable its easy removal. It is essential to combine this treatment method with exfoliation.

. Another excellent way to get rid of ingrown hair is to use tweezers, especially after applying warm compresses. In cases where the hair is inbound, you might have to use a needle to remove it.

. Don�t wear too tight clothes as this will press your hair against the skin. Opt for somewhat loose clothing to prevent ingrown hairs.

. Hydrate and soften both the skin and the hair before shaving. This can result in a duller, rounded tip to the hair, which decreases the likelihood for hairs to reenter the skin.

Best results may be achieved with combination therapy. Consulting a medical doctor who specializes in dermatology may be necessary for the optimal treatment of more severe cases.


~source:medicinenet.com~