About Ingrown Facial Hair
Ingrown facial hair results in red bumps that resemble pimples. It is unsightly and uncomfortable. Some people are more prone to getting ingrown facial hair than others. Those with thick, coarse hair especially hair that is curly, are most likely to get ingrown hair. That is because that type of hair is more likely to twist around and re-enter the skin, causing the skin pore to become clogged and bacteria to collect, as with a pimple. Does this Spark an idea?
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Identification
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Ingrown hair can be identified by its appearance. Ingrown hair will generally appear where the skin has been shaved, and are raised painful pustules that resemble pimples and can develop a whitehead type look as well. If there is a cluster of ingrown hair, it may resemble acne.
The main way to tell the difference between a pimple and an ingrown hair, is the ingrown hair will appear shortly after shaving, typically.
Considerations
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There are certain practices that can leave your skin more susceptible to ingrown hair. One thing is using a dirty razor or having a barber use a less than sanitized trimmer or razor. Shaving against the growth of the hair can also allow the hair to break at an angle that makes it more likely to re-enter the skin. Not washing your face after a shave will also promote the spread of bacteria which can make for ideal ingrown hair conditions.
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Time Frame
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An ingrown hair forms after being cut, then grows back into the skin where it continues to grow under the skin and becomes twisted, sometimes a mass of twisted hair, where it then clogs the pore. Bacteria builds up and a pustule forms. The ingrown hair can develop into a sort of solid mass under the skin which would then require removal. This type of removal would not be simply pulling it out. At this point, it would be a type of surgical procedure to be done completely and safely.
Prevention/Solution
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Skin experts recommend regular exfoliation to help prevent ingrown hair from forming. However, don't exfoliate immediately after shaving. Always wash your face after a shave. Keep razors clean and don't share your razor with anyone. Make certain that your barber practices careful hygiene in regards to sterilizing equipment. If you are particularly prone to ingrown hair on your face, also called razor bumps, you might try to avoid shaving for periods of time if possible. There are also quite a variety of products on the market geared to bump prevention and treatment, from special shaving creams, after shaving care products and special razors. Never shave against the natural hair growth. Sometimes the infected hair is easily visible and can be removed safely with tweezers.
Warning
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Sometimes when an ingrown hair has been growing for some time, it can develop into a sort of hardened lump. People used to let their barber excise the problem hair, however that is not a suitable solution today, particularly with the rise of AIDS. Rather, an ingrown hair that has reached that stage should not be taken care of by a barber, or by a person at home equipped with a needle and or tweezers. Instead, a trip to the doctor is in order. Never squeeze the affected area as that will only spread the bacteria and make the situation worse.
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