Medically Reviewed on May 3, 2019 By: Regan Kudlata, RN, MSN, FNP-C
Find Relief From Painful Ingrown Hairs with Laser Hair Removal
Those who have had to deal with ingrown hairs are likely well aware that they can be a pain. Ingrown hairs curl back and grow into the skin’s surface, causing an unattractive and painful bump. Although ingrown hairs can occur anywhere on an individual’s body, they are most commonly found on legs, underarms, faces and bikini regions.
Ingrown hairs can happen to anyone, and unfortunately shaving, waxing or even wearing tight fitting clothing can increase an individual’s chances of getting ingrown hairs. So how can one minimize the occurrence of ingrown hairs? Below we discuss the nature of ingrown hairs and what treatment options are available.
Symptoms and Causes of Ingrown Hairs
An ingrown hair is just what it sounds like – a hair that curls and grows into the skin’s surface, causing an unattractive and painful bump. Sometimes the bump remains entirely closed; other times the rogue hair can be visibly poking from the bump’s surface. In either case, the bump will eventually heal, sometimes leaving a mark. Shaving is a top cause of ingrown hairs; the blunting of hair ends during the cutting process is believed to encourage the hair to grow into the skin.
Some symptoms and cases of ingrown hairs are accompanied with an infection in the follicle area and when this happens, the area becomes irritated and sore. The infection can also lead to itching, skin rashes, and puss collecting under the skin.
Treatment Options for Ingrown Hairs
Those affected by ingrown hairs have tried just about everything from topical applications of topical chemical exfoliators, steroids (cortisone), retinoids, antibiotics, special razors, and the list goes on. These remedies can often cause severe skin irritation and may not fully resolve the problem.
There is one treatment that is highly effective in resolving the ingrown hair problem and that is laser removal. Laser hair removal goes to the root of the problem, literally. The laser energy is absorbed into the hair follicle destroying its ability to produce hair.
Laser hair removal does require a series of treatments, typically at least 8 and facial hair may need maintenance treatments 1 to 2 times a year after completing a series just to keep the ingrowns at bay. Facial hair growth is hormonally driven and that’s why it may always require on-going maintenance treatments.
With each treatment the follicle shrinks in size, so the the hair it can produce becomes much finer and lighter in color. In turn this prevents the ingrown from even happening. The goal is to destroy deaden the follicles. Once destroyed, the hair follicle will never grow back. While being 100% hair free isn’t realistic, what a patient can expect is anywhere from a 75% to 90% hair reduction in the area treated, so some call it laser hair reduction, for that reason.
Along with getting rid of ingrown hairs and bumps, laser hair removal also helps to alleviate any skin discoloration caused by ingrown hairs. Treatments are fast with minimal discomfort.
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Ingrown Hairs? Schedule a Consult for Laser Hair Removal
For those suffering from ingrown hairs, stop wasting money on creams and topical therapies that don’t work. Laser hair removal offers an effective solution to this troublesome problem. But remember, not all lasers are created equal and not all lasers are safe for all skin types. Make sure to do research and read reviews before consulting a facility for such treatment.
Regan Kudlata, RN, MSN, FNP-C
Regan Kudlata is a licensed Family Nurse Practitioner and a Senior Cosmetic Laser Practitioner licensed by the Georgia Composite Medical Board. Regan has more than 20 years of laser experience in laser hair removal, tattoo removal, skin rejuvenation, treatment of veins and skin lesions, IPL and SculpSure at WIFH. She also holds an advanced injector certification and has more than 18 years of experience with Botox and dermal fillers.
