Beauty
Advice straight from the experts.
Whats more annoying than an ingrown hair?
Thescaror mark that lingers long after the ingrown has gone away.
but you have to first understand what ingrowns are and why they happen.
This triggers aninflammatory reactionthat produces symptoms ranging from pain to itching, redness, and/or swelling.
In most cases, the inflammation produces a solid orpus-filled bumpthat can be both seen and felt.
So what can you do about it?
Keep reading for an expert guide on how to get rid of ingrown hair scars for good.
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When the condition is not treated and becomes chronic, scarring and hyperpigmentation may occur, explainsDr.
Hope Mitchell, M.D.,a board-certified dermatologist and founder ofMitchell Dermatology.
If youre experiencing any redness and pain,Dr.
Additionally, Maiman suggests using an over-the-counter 1% hydrocortisone cream as a spot treatment to reduce the inflammation.
Unfortunately, it can take several months to a year to do so.
Wish you could make it fade faster?
Mitchell also recommendsvitamin C, which brightens the skin and improves and prevents the appearance of pigmentation.
First order of business: choosing the right products and tools.
Single blade razorstend to be best because they allow even shaving along the skin surface, Love explains.
A high-qualityshaving creamwill protect the underlying skin and provide a glide base to help achieve a smooth shave.
After you have the right supplies, focus on your shaving technique.
Apply your cream or gel, then begin shaving in the direction of the hair growth, Mitchell says.
Once youve finished your shave session, dont wait too long for the next one.
It sounds counterintuitive, but shaving more often helps to prevent ingrown hairs, Love says.
This prevents the hair from growing long enough to curl back into the skin.
Speaking of lasers, you might also considerlaser hair removalas a long-term solution for your ingrown hair scars.
Mitchell says this will reduce hair growth, and as a result, minimize shaving and subsequent bumps.
The lasers used are the same for hair removal but with different output levels, Karavolas explains.
By targeting just the ingrown with high output, one can eliminate it permanently without damaging surrounding tissue.
If the condition persists, I recommend scheduling an appointment with a dermatologist for treatment options, Mitchell says.
Studies referenced:
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(2019, April 16).Pseudofolliculitis barbae; current treatment options.
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(2012, June).Current trends in intense pulsed light.
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