Ingrown Hair

Ingrown hair is a condition characterized by hair that does not grow outside the skin layer. This condition can occur after the hair or hair on the skin has been shaved or removed. Deep-growing hair is also often experienced by people who have curly or very wavy hair (curls). In men, ingrown hairs generally appear around the bearded face. Whereas in women, in the groin.

The condition of ingrown hair can improve without special care. However, it can cause complaints of itching, interfere with appearance, and trigger inflammation of the surrounding skin.

Causes of ingrown hair

The cause of ingrown hair can be caused by a number of the following conditions:

• Structure and direction of hair growth. It generally occurs with owners of curly or curly hair types. Curved hair follicles produce hair that does not grow outside the surface of the skin.
• Dead skin cells that clog the follicles can trigger hair growth towards the side beneath the surface of the skin, rather than coming out through the surface of the skin.
• Shaving the hair while pulling or stretching the skin, which causes the rest of the hair shaft to sink beneath the surface of the skin.
• Pull out hair using tweezers or with waxing, which can leave the rest of the hair shaft beneath the surface of the skin.

Symptoms of Ingrown Hair

Ingrown hair can appear on different parts of the body. In women, ingrown hair is more common around the armpits, intimate organs, or legs. While for men who are used to shaving their beards, ingrown hair is often found around the cheeks, chin, neck, and even the scalp.

Symptoms and signs of ingrown hair are:

• Small round lumps that are full or dense, and look like pimples.
• Pain and itching in areas overgrown with hair into the skin.
• Skin color that is darker or different than the surrounding skin (hyperpigmentation).
• Small wounds filled with pus that look like boils (pustules).
• Diagnosis of ingrown hair
• The doctor can find out that a patient has ingrown hair, based on symptoms, asks what habits are done when shaving, and by doing a physical examination.

Treatment for ingrown hair

The following are independent steps at home that can be done to deal with ingrown hair:

• Clean the ingrown hair area with a soft toothbrush, washcloth or scrub. Do it in a circular motion for a few minutes before shaving or sleeping.
• Sterile needles can be used by inserting them thinly and slowly into the skin, which aims to lift the ends of the hair that grows inside the skin.

In the case of ingrown hair that causes inflammation, the doctor will prescribe the following medications:

• Cream with corticosteroids, to reduce inflammation.
• Cream antibiotics or tablets, to treat infections.
• Drugs that will help remove dead skin cells, such as tretinoin.

Ingrown Hair Complications

Ingrown hair can cause complications in the form of a bacterial infection if it is often scratched, a darker skin color or different from the surrounding skin (hyperpigmentation), the appearance of scar tissue or keloids, and a lump in the skin pores due to the use of a razor (pseudofolliculitis barbae) .

Prevention of ingrown hairs

Do a few of these things at home to prevent hair growth in the skin:

• Choose a razor with a sharp blade. The use of a shaver with one blade can prevent hair from growing in, but this requires further research.
• Test the skin before using waxing ingredients, because it can cause skin irritation.
• Clean the skin with warm water and facial soap before shaving the hair in the face area.
• Use a cream or shaving gel a few minutes before shaving, so that the hair becomes soft and easily shaved.
• Don't pull or stretch the skin while shaving.
• Shave the hair in the same direction as the hair grows.
• Rinse the razor after each shaving motion.
• Clean the skin and use after-shave lotion after shaving.

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