Ingrown hair

Hair care and maintenance is an important ritual in our lives. We cut, prune and tend them - all adding to our endeavor to enhance our appearance. But sometimes a seemingly simple shave can cause a condition that can be painful and an ugly sight in itself. Ingrown hair is such a condition when hair is cut short, leaving a sharp tip. This causes the hair to curl back into the skin, or grow 'inwards' and hence the name.

This condition is predominant in people with curly hair and occurs more in people of African origin. It is mostly caused by shaving. But it is also seen to be caused by other hair removal techniques like waxing or threading. Because of this, it is mostly seen in the body parts where frequent hair removal is done like - the face (in men), legs or arms (in women). Having established the cause and the areas of occurrence, it can occur anywhere in the body where there is hair growth and can be caused without the instance of hair removal. Oil and dirt on skin can accumulate and cause ingrown hair. Tight clothing can also restrict normal growth of body hair and can lead to this condition.

Human hair is made up of the hair follicle or the 'root' of the hair, which is inside the skin. When hair is removed or cut, it can leave the follicle intact with a small part of hair growing with a jagged edge. The hair continues to grow but abnormally. Instead of growing straight it grows back into the skin. It can overlap other hair roots in this process and trap them. A clump can be thus formed, which does not get cut or removed along with regular hair removal and can add to the discomfort of an ingrown hair condition.

While this is a painless condition on its own, it can be bothersome if accompanied by an infection. The hair follicle or the 'root' of the hair can become infected causing bumps, which may or may not be painful. They are often red in color and vary in size. An infected hair follicle may contain pus. These infections, often called 'razor bumps' are accompanied by redness of skin, itching and even pain.

The good news is that ingrown hair most often than not disappear on their own. The offending hair can be carefully removed with the help of tweezers. A locally applied antiseptic cream can be used to get rid of the infection. But if the condition becomes chronic, it is safe to visit a dermatologist and get medical attention. The two most common course of treatment for this condition is by applying hair removal creams or depilatory creams and by electrolysis. Depilatory creams remove the hair from the root itself, which is a painless but not permanent solution. Electrolysis on the other hand, is a permanent solution if the chronic condition occurs in a particular body part. This would remove hair and prevent hair growth in future, solving the problem as well as making sure that it does not occur again.

But as always, prevention is better than cure and this condition is definitely preventable. Simple steps can be taken while cutting or removing hair, which will ensure that the incidence of ingrown hair is minimized.

One can begin by avoid shaving, which leads to maximum cases of ingrown hair. This is however quite an impractical solution, as shaving can be necessary for basic aesthetic and hygienic purposes. But there are ways of reducing occurrence of ingrown hair while shaving.

• Begin by opting to shave with an electric razor instead of a blade razor, which will ensure that hair is not cut too close to the skin, which can lead to hair growing inwards.
• Shave in the direction of hair growth and always shave in this direction. This will ensure that hair is cut smoothly and rough edges are avoided.
• Avoiding multiple strokes over a same area would also help in shaving hair evenly and not too closely.
• Also, shave when skin is relaxed, and not taut. Taught skin would expose hair closer to the skin. While this may seem a better way of getting a closer shave and brighter looking skin, it can lead to ingrown hair.
• Use adequate lubricant while shaving, i.e. shaving gel. This is a better option than using shaving foam, which may again allow hair to be cut too close to the skin.
• Wash before shaving to remove dirt or oil that may lead to the skin being rough and shaving uneven.

General skin care if carried out regularly can also prevent ingrown hair. Washing skin regularly, to begin with, can make sure that dirt and oil is cleared from the skin surface. This will ensure that skin is smooth when shaved or waxed. Scrubs and face washes can be used for this purpose. Exfoliating skin can also ensure that dead skin is removed from the skin surface and skin is smooth. While it will give your skin a healthy look, it will also make sure that ingrown hair is avoided.