When a hair grows sideways into the skin or curls back, it is referred to as an Ingrown Hair. More often than not, the condition affects the area of skin that is frequently shaved or waxed.
The condition is more common in case of areas bearing coarser hair. Individuals with thick and curly hair are more prone to this problem. Ingrown Hair is a medically harmless condition but tends to cause other skin issues such as scarring, skin discoloration, skin infections etc.
The ugly looking Ingrown Hair can be removed both by conventional methods as well as natural remedies. The natural treatment consisting of various home remedies for Ingrown Hair is easy to follow but usually requires patience and consistency.
Causes and Symptoms of Ingrown Hair
This condition is mostly caused due to repeated shaving or waxing because of which the sharp tip of a hair curls back into the same hair follicle or starts growing sideways on the skin. This non contagious condition is also known as Razor Bump.
Improper or aggressive hair removal techniques and fiction from tight clothing tend to increase the risk of developing this problem. At times, the condition occurs naturally as a result of excess skin debris blocking the opening of a hair follicle.
Face, neck, legs, upper thigh, underarms and the pubic region are the most common areas that are characterized by this condition because these are the most common areas that are frequently shaved. In rare cases, Ingrown Hair may also appear on the eyelids.
They appear as small tan or pink bumps under the skin. The condition is often accompanied by pain, itching, inflammation and hyperpigmentation. In case the skin around the Ingrown Hair becomes infected, it can also lead to pus formation.
Natural Home Remedies for Ingrown Hair
- Applying a sugar facial mask is one of the most popular Ingrown Hair home remedies. To prepare this home remedy and exfoliate the skin, heat a mixture of one cup sugar, a quarter cup of honey, one and a half cup of cornstarch and juice of half a lemon.
- If the skin is not too sensitive then a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar can also be added after heating. Then, lightly dust some cornstarch on the affected area and spread the mixture on the skin. Finally wash it off with warm water after about 20 minutes to heal this problem naturally at home.
- Another sugar scrub for reducing with Ingrown Hair can be prepared by mixing five drops of any essential oil, half cup of sweet almond oil and a cup of brown sugar.
- Exfoliation is one of the best natural home remedies for Ingrown Hair. A mixture of one and a half teaspoon of salt in a cup of water is useful in mildly cleansing and exfoliating the skin.
- Exfoliating before shaving or waxing is also a good idea as it helps bring the tip of the hair out of the skin. Simply applying a warm compress on the area is also useful in softening the hair and bringing it to the surface.
- Shaving in the direction of hair growth, avoiding repeated strokes in the same area and using a shaving gel before shaving are some common tips for avoiding Ingrown Hair.
- Moreover, it is often suggested to use new razor blade and avoid dull blades as far as possible because dull razor blades tend to make the condition worse.
- A combination of oatmeal, sea salt and rice powder also serves as one of the most valuable home remedies for Ingrown Hair removal through exfoliation. This therapy should be used at least once in a week.
- Applying hot compresses on the affected area for at least 10 minutes, three times in a day is another highly recommended natural cure for Ingrown Hair.
- Using a mixture of aloe vera gel and tea tree oil is regarded as a natural treatment for Ingrown Hair infections.
- Applying Epsom salt directly on wet skin in circular motion and then washing it off is one of the most effective natural home remedies for Ingrown Hair. This remedy helps to remove Ingrown Hair from the body, but it should not be used on face.
Source :Speedy Remedies