Ingrown hair
introduction
Body hair removal is a part of everyday life in our society. It becomes annoying when you notice the next day that small skin lesions, possibly filled with pus, called pustules, have formed at the point of the shave. But where do these come from and what can be done about them?
definition
Hair which the Do not break through the top layer of skin or through one to strong curvature Grow into the skin, develop under the skin, causing skin irritation. In some cases it can cause inflammation under the skin, which can cause discomfort.
Symptoms of an ingrown hair
Ingrown hairs often do not cause any discomfort, but can lead to skin irritations, i.e. skin irritations. This irritation can cause reddening of the skin and more or less severe itching. The appearance of this is called pustules.
In rare cases, these initial symptoms lead to an increasingly strong inflammatory reaction, which can lead to pus formation and swelling. If the inflammation continues, it can lead to larger bumps in the affected areas, which also reach deep under the skin. This is called an abscess.
Causes and Risk Factors
Ingrown hairs do not occur regularly in childhood. The age from the onset of puberty is relevant, since at this age the body hair plays an important role in every respect. Some sex hormones that stimulate hair growth play a role here. With an increased production of these sex hormones, there is also increased hair growth, which is a risk factor for the development of ingrown hairs.
Various Methods for removing body hair, such as shaving, epilation, waxing or plucking, represent the biggest cause of this ingrown hairs In particular, the first shave at the onset of puberty or the removal of hair after a long period of time plays a role here.
The hair that grows back has a firmer and harder consistency, which leads to a stronger curve or curvature. This curvature leads to skin irritation, so that the hair can grow in through contact with the skin. Likewise, the depilation methods themselves lead to direct skin lesions, which can promote the entry of the hair into the skin.
Dead, old skin cells can Clog the hair exit. The hair cannot break through the skin at this point and continues to grow under the skin. This often causes localized inflammation.
If this picture occurs chronically, i.e. regularly, then regular scratching of this area caused by the itching can lead to scarring of the skin.
Localization of the ingrown hair
Only hairy body surfaces are affected, preferably areas that are shaved. In men, the face and neck are the most common locations. In women, armpits, legs, and the genital and anal regions are particularly affected.
Ingrown hair on the neck
Ingrown hairs on the neck are particularly common in men in the beard region. One of the reasons for this is that beard hair in most cases has a stronger consistency than scalp hair. In addition, the skin in the beard region is very firm and in some cases prevents whiskers from piercing through the skin. People who are particularly hairy and have curly hair are more prone to ingrown hairs. The methods already described can be used to remove an ingrown hair. A sharp, clean razor should also be used. An antibacterial aftershave can also help prevent inflammation and ingrown hairs.
Ingrown hairs in the bikini line
Ingrown hairs often appear in the bikini line. This is because the skin in the genital area is very sensitive to shaving, waxing or epilation.
To avoid ingrown hairs, make sure to use a sharp and clean razor when shaving. In addition, a shaving cream should be used, which soaks the hair and makes shaving easier.
Then you should avoid excessive friction after shaving, especially with rough fabrics (e.g. denim). This can provoke the ingrown hair enormously. In the worst case, bacteria invade the hair roots during or after shaving and cause inflammation.
How is ingrown hair diagnosed?
The diagnosis is often made by those affected by e.g. Pustules can be felt on hairy areas of the body. The medical examination often only consists of a thorough examination of the affected region. Other examinations are often not necessary.
In the case of an abscess in the anal region, i.e. an advanced inflammation that has already formed a bump, you can inject paint into the bump under local anesthesia and see whether it emerges elsewhere. So one would like to rule out that an inflammatory duct under the skin, a so-called fistula, was formed.
The therapy of an ingrown hair
In most cases, medical therapy is not necessary as the symptoms often subside on their own.
However, you should refrain from pressing on the area yourself or removing the ingrown hair yourself, as this prevents complication-free healing and can lead to inflammation. However, a doctor does not always have to be consulted immediately.
However, if you notice after a few days that this area is increasing in size, in the form of a bump or the discomfort, you should see a dermatologist. The doctor can cut open this region under local anesthesia with a short scalpel cut and remove the ingrown hair. Depending on the inflammation, the pus is removed at the same time and the wound is disinfected from the inside and closed again. The cut can also relieve the affected tissue so that it can regenerate more quickly.
In addition, can Steroids be applied to the affected area in the form of creams or ointments. These have an anti-inflammatory effect and help with healing. In special cases, antibiotics may be required, either taken as a tablet or applied as a cream or ointment.
These have an anti-inflammatory effect and help with healing. In special cases, antibiotics may be required, either taken as a tablet or applied as a cream or ointment. Antibacterial care immediately after hair removal, as well as the right treatment on the following days, can be used preventively for ingrown hairs. An example of such a combination is the use of the Dr. Severin After Shave Balm with the Aequoreus sea salt enzyme peeling from the pharmacy.
Enzyme peels can also help to ensure the purity of the skin and allow the pores to breathe. One example of this is the Dr. Severin enzyme peeling from the pharmacy.
Pull ointment for the treatment of ingrown hairs
If the ingrown hair becomes slightly inflamed, a pulling ointment can be used. Pull ointments have anti-inflammatory and phagocytosis-promoting properties. Phagocytosis is a process of human immune cells by which bacteria or dead cells are broken down. If there is inflammation, the inflamed area is “cleared up” by phagocytosis.
Pulling ointments can also be used well on ingrown hairs, as they reduce the inflammation of the ingrown hair and thus contribute to faster healing.
If the ingrown hair becomes inflamed, the exit of the hair from the skin is additionally hindered. This is because the swelling and accumulation of pus caused by the inflammation is taking away the space for the hair to grow out. The pulling ointment softens the skin over the ingrown hair, which can help remove the hair better. For this purpose, some ointment should be applied to the affected area and covered with a plaster. After a few days, the inflammation will usually have healed and the ingrown hair may come out of the skin.
Read more on the topic: Pull ointment
Alternative ointments for treating ingrown hairs
As an alternative to the pull ointment, other ointments can also be used. For example, ointments used in the treatment of acne can help treat ingrown hairs.
The acne creams mostly consist of bezoyl peroxide and salicylic acid. These active ingredients have a peeling and antibacterial effect. This allows the ingrown hair to get to the surface faster. Since acne medications often require a prescription, zinc ointment can also be used. Zinc inhibits inflammation and promotes wound healing. In contrast to acne creams, zinc does not irritate the skin as much and is freely available.
Instructions for removing an ingrown hair
Care should be taken when removing an ingrown hair so as not to worsen any inflammation.
First, the skin around the ingrown hair should be cleaned. To do this, you can clean the area with warm water and mild soap. At the same time, the skin becomes softer and the hair is usually easier to remove. Then the affected skin area should be disinfected.
You can then try to grab the hair with pointed tweezers. There is no need to pull the hair out completely. If you see a hair loop, the tip of the hair next to the hair has grown back into the skin, it can be helpful to go under the loop with a fine sterile needle and pull the needle slightly upwards so that the ingrown end is visible again comes.
Home remedies for treating ingrown hair
There are many home remedies for ingrown hairs, but not all of them have the desired effect.
A popular home remedy for ingrown hairs is a compress with warm milk and bread. The milk is heated here. Then a piece of bread is dipped into the milk. Then you put the piece of bread on the affected area and repeat the process as soon as the bread has cooled down. After about 10-15 minutes, the heated pores with the ingrown hair should have opened and it is possible to free them.
Another home remedy is the treatment with the egg shell. Here, the skin that hangs on the inside of the eggshells is removed. You then place the egg shell on the problem area and wait until the shell has dried and contracted. The hair can then be removed from the skin when the egg shell is peeled off.
Furthermore, various peelings can be used to loosen possible dirt that prevents the hair from growing out. Here the skin can be scrubbed with a brush or a glove and a little salt. However, one should be careful not to irritate the skin too much.
prophylaxis
Even if ingrown hairs usually do not cause any problems and recede over time, observing various tips helps to limit the frequency of these problems or even to prevent them.
Let it be on one good shaving hygiene to pay attention. By Oils or Foams During the body hair removal, the skin is protected from irritation. The Removal of hair in the direction of growth, instead of against the direction of growth, allows the hair to bend less.
Regular peeling The skin removes dead hair cells so that they do not close the pores of the hair and the hair can grow out freely. Followed by good skin care Moisturizers keeps the skin soft and smooth, making it easier for hair to grow out of the pores.
Read more about this topic under Removal of the ingrown whiskers.
Further topics from this area
Remove ingrown whiskers
Ingrown whiskers not only look unsightly, but are often associated with itching or inflammation. There are several methods to choose from for hair removal. Here you get to the topic: Removing ingrown beard hair
Depilation
Many people find hair on the legs, armpits or face bothersome. A variety of means or methods are available to get rid of those annoying hairs.
Here you get to the topic: Depilation
Hair follicle inflammation
Inflammation of the hair is often accompanied by reddening of the skin and pustules. The inflammation is usually caused by bacteria, which can be caused by injuries such as shaving.
Here you get to the topic: Hair follicle inflammation
