How ingrown hair creams work

Ingrown hair is a condition that arises from a combination of hair removing processes and poor skin care. Skin and hair are hardy, being of protective nature to the body. But they too need proper care, denied of which they can exhibit poor health and get prone to a number of problems.

While ingrown hair is not known to cause any problems, they can get infected. Infected, pus filled pimples can be formed on the skin - being both unbecoming and bothersome. The good news is that ingrown hair is a condition which can be cured easily.

The most common method getting rid of an ingrown hair is to pluck it carefully with a sterilized pair of tweezers. This method works if there are only one or two hairs which have been identified as ingrown hairs. If the condition is spread across a larger area, the best course of treatment is to apply a topical cream.

These topical creams are usually depilatory creams which work on the hair roots. This is useful in treating ingrown hair, as the whole hair, along with its follicle is removed with the help of these creams. In the absence of the follicle, the hair does not grow at all and thus the occurrence of an ingrown hair is null. While this is not a permanent solution, it is a painless and easy one.

These contain chemicals which burn off the hair from its roots. These chemicals are predominantly calcium thioglycolate and sodium thioglycolate. They break up keratin which is present in hair and its main constituent and give out a Sulphurous odor. This odor however goes off when the cream is washed off. Many such creams also contain moisturizers which further nourishes the skin after removing hair. This helps the skin to look healthy and no get rough, as it is prone to after hair removal.

It is often advised to use these creams if the ingrown hairs occur only in a specific body part recurrently. This makes sure that hair growth is stopped in that particular part. While hair is not allowed to grow, it is safe to presume that the condition of ingrown hair will not occur. These creams are often prescribed to be applied even after another method of hair removal has been done in order to remove hair. For instance, applying such a cream after shaving the underarms can ensure that the smaller hairs that have undoubtedly stayed on to the skin surface will get removed. This will not only make sure that a cleaner look is achieved but it also prevents roughly cut hair to remain embedded in the skin along with their follicles. This is the very condition which gives rise to ingrown hairs. Applying a depilatory cream makes sure every little strand of hair is removed perfectly and completely off the roots.

To make sure that these creams work properly, a few tips can be followed.

• Always clean the area before applying the cram. It can be best done in soaking a towel or wash cloth in hot water and pressing it to the affected area for 5-10 minutes. At the end of which the skin should be softer and pores should open up. This makes the job of the cream much easier.
• While they are more or less suitable for all skin types, certain individuals can be allergic to these creams. It is best to do a patch test before proceeding to remove hair in this process. Any kind of rash, irritation or burning should indicate that this particular cream is not suitable for your skin type.
• Use adequate amount of cream. Do not be stingy with it, for it will not have the desired effect otherwise.
• Keep the cream on for the time that the instructions state. Leaving it for too little a time will have no effect. Keeping it on for a longer time than necessary can also be harmful to skin. It is best to time it accurately and wash off immediately.
• Removing the cream should be done with a washcloth, with a firm hand going towards the direction of hair growth. This will ensure that the hair gets pulled right from the tips and no follicle remains inside. Remove the cream in this manner and then wash the area very well with a moisturizing soap and warm water.
• Do not apply where skin is broken. This is important because, any kind of skin lesions should not be applied with his kind of creams. But ingrown hairs are lesions due to a shaft of hair which needs to be removed. These creams will help in getting the hair out, and can thus be used.

Many variations of ingrown hair creams have been introduced in the market, many of which also exfoliate the skin alongside hair removal and moisturizing.