Most men have experienced the odd ingrown hair and know how
painful they can be if they get infected, but for some men especially men of
Afro-Caribbean descent ingrown hairs can be a real problem causing each
morning's shave to be a painful experience.
Ingrown hairs result when shaved hairs get trapped inside
the follicle or grow back into the skin. Dirt and oil can build up around the
trapped hair causing a bump to form under the skin. This bump, if infected, can
cause the skin to become red and swollen. Afro - Caribbean
men can be more prone to ingrown hairs due to the fact that curlier hair is
more prone to looping back into the skin.
One of the best ways to avoid ingrown hairs is to shave
properly and use the right equipment. If you don't currently wet shave then
give it a go. If you already wet shave you may want to try an electric razor or
try following the steps outlined in the perfect shave. (link to the perfect
shave article). Keeping the skin wet during the shaving process gives you a
more effective shave and better looking skin. The hot water opens the pores of
your skin and softens your stubble for more effective cutting - reducing the
risk of ingrown hairs.
How to prevent ingrown hairs
* Use a facial
scrub prior to shaving to remove the embedded oils and dirt from the
skins surface while lifting embedded hairs from their follicles for a less
irritating shave.
* Use a shave
brush to apply a
good quality lubricating shave cream in a circular motion. This,
again, helps to exfoliate the skin and prepare the stubble for shaving.
* Always shave
in the direction of the grain with a light amount of pressure on the razor
* If you
suffer badly from ingrown hairs you may want to try using a double edge razor.
Many Afro - Caribbean men in particular find
switching to a traditional double edge razor clears up their skin and can make
shaving much more comfortable. A double edge razor cuts through tougher facial
hair more effectively without pulling at it and requires a lighter amount of
pressure.
* A disposable
razor with double or triple blades can actually increase the risk of ingrown
hairs because the first blade often pulls at the hair while the second and
third cuts it below skin level, this provides a closer shave but increases the
chance of ingrown hairs occurring.
* Moisturising
the skin after shaving will keep the skin smooth and supple while keeping the
hair follicles moisturised and growing in the right direction.
How to treat ingrown hairs
* Never
forcibly dig out ingrown hairs by the roots as you'll only make things worse.
* Use a
sterile needle or sharp tweezers to gently tease out and unfold the hair. Do
not pull the hair out initially allow the skin to heal around the hair before
removal to prevent the problem reoccurring in the same area. If hair is very
long trim with scissors but do not pull out at the root.
* If area is
red apply an antiseptic cream to the area.
* Do not use
any product that contains alcohol, it can exacerbate the problem area by drying
the skin out and closing the pores.
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