Disease: Ingrown hair

Overview

An ingrown hair occurs when a shaved or tweezed hair grows back into the skin. It can cause inflammation, pain and tiny bumps in the area where the hair was removed.

Ingrown hair is a common condition that results from hair removal. It's most prevalent in black men who shave facial hair. But ingrown hair can affect anyone who removes hair by shaving, tweezing or waxing.

Often, an ingrown hair improves without treatment. You can avoid ingrown hair by not removing hair. If that's not an option, you can use hair removal methods that lessen the risk of developing ingrown hairs.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

Symptoms

Ingrown hairs most commonly appear in the beard area, including the chin and cheeks and, especially, the neck. They can appear on the scalp in those who shave their heads. Other common areas for ingrown hairs are the armpits, pubic area and legs.

Signs and symptoms include:

  • Small, solid, rounded bumps (papules)
  • Small, pus-filled, blister-like lesions (pustules)
  • Skin darkening (hyperpigmentation)
  • Pain
  • Itching
  • Embedded hairs

When to see a doctor

An occasional ingrown hair isn't cause for alarm. See your doctor if your ingrown hairs are a chronic condition.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

Causes

Hair structure and direction of growth play a role in ingrown hairs. A curved hair follicle, which produces tightly curled hair, is believed to encourage the hair to re-enter the skin once the hair is cut and starts to grow back. Shaving creates sharp edges in this type of hair, especially if the hair is dry when shaved.

You might also get an ingrown hair if you:

  • Pull your skin taut during shaving — which allows the cut hair to draw back into the skin and re-enter the skin without first growing out
  • Tweeze — which also can leave a hair fragment under the skin surface

When a hair penetrates your skin, your skin reacts as it would to a foreign body — it becomes inflamed.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

Diagnosis

Your doctor is likely to diagnose ingrown hairs by looking at your skin and discussing with you your hair removal habits.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

Complications

Chronic ingrown hairs can lead to:

  • Bacterial infection (from scratching)
  • Skin darkening (hyperpigmentation)
  • Permanent scarring (keloids)
  • Pseudofolliculitis barbae, also known as razor bumps

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

Prevention

To help prevent ingrown hairs, avoid shaving, tweezing and waxing. If that's not an option, use these tips to make ingrown hairs less likely:

  • Wash your skin with warm water and a mild facial cleanser before shaving.
  • Apply lubricating shaving cream or gel a few minutes before shaving to soften the hair. Or apply a warm compress.
  • Use a sharp razor every time you shave. Further study is needed to determine whether a single- or multiple-blade razor is best for preventing ingrown hair. See what works best for you.
  • Avoid close shaves.
  • Don't pull your skin taut while shaving.
  • Shave in the direction of hair growth.
  • Rinse the blade after each stroke.
  • Rinse your skin and apply lotion after you shave.

The following hair removal methods also may help prevent ingrown hairs:

  • Electric razor or clipper. With the razor, avoid the closest shave setting and hold the razor or clipper slightly away from your skin.
  • Chemical hair remover. The chemicals in hair-removing products (depilatories) may irritate your skin, so test on a small area first.
  • A cream to decrease hair growth. A product called eflornithine (Vaniqa) is a prescription cream that decreases hair regrowth when combined with another hair removal method, such as laser therapy. Further study is needed to prove the usefulness of this method.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

Lifestyle and home remedies

To release ingrown hairs, you can:

  • Wash the affected area using a washcloth or soft-bristled toothbrush. Use a circular motion for several minutes. Do this before shaving and at bedtime.
  • Use a sterile needle, inserting it under hair loops, to gently lift embedded hair tips.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

Risk factors

Having tightly curled hair is the main risk factor for ingrown hairs.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

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