Ingrown hair underarm

Hair in some parts of the body is more susceptible to the formation of ingrown hair than other. It is also true that mostly ingrown hair is found in area from where hair removal is performed frequently. The underarms fall under both the categories and thus it is a common site for the occurrence of ingrown hair.

Shaving or waxing the underarms is more of a hygiene need in places of warm and humid weather. Sweat, oil and dirt together make the underarms the breading ground for bacteria. It is also devoid of fresh air and bacteria can infest here, causing a foul smell or body odor. Hair retains the moisture formed with sweat and heightens body odor. Getting rid of this hair is then necessary. Also fashion dictates also demand for a clean underarm look today.

The most common methods of removing the underarm hair are shaving and waxing. Shaving is the more quicker and easier of the methods. It is often more preferred by women because they can do it themselves in the privacy of their shower. While quite prevalent, it can lead to ingrown hairs and the accompanied discomfort, if not done carefully.

Washing the underarms clean before shaving would ensure that the area is clean and smooth. This wash is best done by an exfoliating scrub or gel, which also rids the skin of old dead skin cells. This adds to the smoothness of the skin and ensures a close shave without any cuts. It is also important to lather up the area, best with a lather gel which also moisturizes the skin. Once lathered, a clean razor can be used to shave the hair. While shaving, some points can be kept in mind to avoid the occurrence of ingrown hairs. It is best to shave along the direction of the hair growth. Some people might advice that a shave in the opposite direction of the hair growth will ensure a closer shave. This will also ensure that the chances of a close cut are higher and so are the chances of ingrown hair forming. Also it is advisable to shave in single strokes over an area, avoiding multiple strokes which can lead to a skin breakage, along with hair breakage. While waxing, one should make sure the hair is uprooted completely and no part of it is imbedded into the skin.

However, ingrown hairs can occur in spite of everything. It is a treatable condition and can be cured effectively. If only a single hair seems to have been affected, the best way is to use a pair of tweezers to firmly pluck it out. This needs to be done carefully. Otherwise, it can further lead to an infection of the ingrown hair. The tweezers should be sterilized before attempting to pull the hair out. A pair of fine point tweezers is best suited for this purpose. Once sterilized, the hair should be grasped firmly near the skin, taking care not to hurt the skin surrounding it. The hair should then be pulled out in one swift motion. The area should then be rubbed carefully with an antiseptic cream or lotion, so that any kind of infection that might have grown in the hair follicle is not spread to the surrounding area.

If the ingrown hair seems deeply down in the skin, it is best to apply some steam or warmth to the area, so that the pores of the skin open. This will allow the hair to be released easily. Applying a hot towel on the underarms for about 3-5 minutes should help in easing the skin pores. Once the skin is softened with warmth, the hair can be plucked as explained above. This will also ensure that it hurts less when plucking the hair out.

If the ingrown hairs are spread over and are recurrent, it is best to use a cream to treat it. These creams can be bought over the counter, and are known to be almost always effective in curing ingrown hair. In addition, they also make sure that they do not occur in future. If suffering from chronic ingrown hair condition, regular use of these creams can lessen the chances.

Alternatively, permanent hair removal solutions can be an option for those who can afford to pay a price. Electrolysis or laser treatment provides permanent hair removal solutions. In a single sitting or two, one can permanently remove hair from an area. The underarms are often such an area as it requires hair-removal frequently. This also ensures that the problem of ingrown hair do not occur in future, as electrolysis removes hair from its very roots. With no follicle present, the hair cannot ever grow again.