Ingrown hairs

I have such a problem with ingrown hairs, it's really annoying and it looks like I have loads of little spots!

I get them on my lower legs especially. I wax them so I guess that's why. Is it because I don't wax correctly i.e. pull the hairs out in the wrong way? Would getting it done in a salon improve things?

However, I also get them on my thighs and upper arms which I don't remove hair from. Why on earth would I get them there then??

I've tried exfoliating and moisturising but they don't seem to go away. The only way to get rid of them is to pick them but this makes them go red and takes ages.

I've heard of products like Tend Skin, but it's expensive and I don't know if it'd really work. Are there any cheaper ones out there that work?

How can I remove the ingrown hairs?
How can I avoid them?
Is there a particular way I should wax to avoid them?

Reply 1

WokSz

17

I would go see a dermatoligist (sp?), who in case you don't know, is a skin specialist. He should be able to give you more precise advice. Do you wax in the opposite direction from the direction in which your hair is growing?

Reply 2

ciderpeter

1

Direction of waxing doesnt matter does it? It pulls the hair out from the root, which is what causes the problems, when you shave, you only take the hair down to the skin!

To get rid of them, use tweezers, scratch the surface a little and the hair should poke through, then just pull it out! :biggrin:

Don't ask how i know. :biggrin:

Reply 3

WokSz

17

I don't know the exact details; however, a beauty specialist told me that it's important to wax in the opposite direction from the direction of the growth of your hair. I don't know how true this is, but as this was her job, I trusted her.

Reply 4

Segat1

16

I just moisturise every morning and night religiiously. and exfoliate a lot. Waxing doesn't hep matters - any reason why shaving isn't working for you? Shaving exfoliates in one move.

Reply 5

Anonymous #1

OP

Yes, I do pull the strips in the opposite direction to the way the hairs grow...

I use tweezers to scratch and pick them out, but there are so many!

Reply 6

ciderpeter

1

Get a friend to help?

Reply 7

StrangeKitten

Try
http://www.adorebeauty.com.au/adorebeauty/viewitem.asp?idproduct=5464
or
http://www.adorebeauty.com.au/adorebeauty/viewitem.asp?idproduct=6223

Reply 8

Anonymous #1

OP

Segat1

I just moisturise every morning and night religiiously. and exfoliate a lot. Waxing doesn't hep matters - any reason why shaving isn't working for you? Shaving exfoliates in one move.

Doesn't shaving make hairs grow back faster/darker? I often found that if I shaved.

Reply 9

Segat1

16

Well, waxing lasts longer because it rips the hair out below the skin, whereas shaving removes it at skin level. Hence it seems to grow back quicker. As to darker - I doubt shaving can change your genes - it may seem darker, but if you've had hair exposed to the sun, its going to be lighter than virgin hair that's never seen the sun and has just poked its head through the skin. I've been shaving for yrs and my leg hair is still the same colour as the hair on my head. I can't stand the hanging around waiting for the hair to grow long enough to get it waxed, there's always a party or event where smooth legs are a must.

Reply 10

mangomaz

14

I definitely found that when I shaved the hair grew back a lot thicker, maybe not darker. And I wasn't seeing things - when my hair grows back now (I epilate) its very thin and not very noticeable for a while even if a reasonable amount has grown back.

How often do you exfoliate? I used to have a huge ingrowing hair problem like yours but now I do a proper exfoliation each time I shower (with an exfoliating mitt thingy). Its a really good one - first time you use it it feels like your skin is burning haha but in a nice way!

But yeah I cant think what to tell you other than exfoliate and moisturise.. Hmmm sorry I havent been much help!

Reply 11

jennyflake

I was given some antiseptic-type wash - aquasept - by the doc which although doesnt stop ingrowing hairs, stops them getting infected and going minging! Its just under £2 for a bottle.

Reply 12

pink_natsy_2005

1

best thing to do to get a permanent prob solved is laser removal. if its a real prob u can get it on nhs. otherwise its a lil costly if ur a student

Reply 13

Helenia

20

mangomaz

I definitely found that when I shaved the hair grew back a lot thicker, maybe not darker. And I wasn't seeing things - when my hair grows back now (I epilate) its very thin and not very noticeable for a while even if a reasonable amount has grown back.

The reason why it looks thicker is because the end is cut off flat, whereas if it grows back naturally after waxing/epilating, then it's tapered.

To the OP - are you sure that the "ingrown hairs" on your arms and legs are actually that? If they're just red bumps which don't itch or anything, but sometimes have a hair curled up in them if you pick them (not advised!) then it could be keratosis pilaris, which is a completely benign but somewhat ugly skin condition. Have a look on the internet for it.

Reply 14

person 34

9

rubbing the spots with a rought sponge/exfoliator thing helps...dont ask me y but do that a bit and they should go...!

Ingrown hairs

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