Question:
After I shave my legs I get l always wind up getting ingrown hairs. Is there any way to prevent this from happening?
Valentina:
In order to treat ingrown hairs, it is important to understand what they are. Ingrown hairs, also called razor bumps, result when the shaved hair gets trapped inside the follicle or grows back into the skin.
Shaving cuts the hair in a blunt, jagged fashion. Often times, the jagged edge can have trouble growing back through the hair follicle and can become twisted stuck underneath new skin cells that have accumulated. Ingrown hairs can appear as sore red bumps and be quite unsightly. There are several ways to treat and prevent ingrown hairs, I have listed a few below.
You should know, however, that the best way to prevent ingrown hairs is to wax. Waxing completely removes the hair from the root, allowing for new hair to grow back in. The new hair has a soft, pointed tip that can easily break through the surface of the skin, lessening the likelihood of ingrown hairs. However, if you prefer shaving, the tips below should help.
1. Exfoliating your legs frequently can help prevent the accumulation of dead skin cells, which block hair from growing in resulting in ingrown hairs. Choose a gentle product that can be used several times a week, before and in between shaves.
2. Treat your ingrown hairs with Salicylic acid, an over the counter, dermatological-grade ingredient that exfoliates, moisturizes, clears pores and can help prevent infection. (salicylic acid is found in many common acne cleansers and treatments). Witch Hazel is also a great OTC remedy to help reduce painful swelling.
3. Use a shaving cream that is specially formulated for sensitive skin. Try to avoid foam-based creams, instead opt for products that are high in lubricating agents.
4. Make sure you do not use products or lotions on your legs that have high amounts of fragrance or alcohol. This can worsen your condition by drying out the skin and closing the pores, further trapping hairs beneath the surface.
5. Forget what you’ve been told about shaving against the grain. To avoid razor bumps, use a single-blade razor and shave WITH the grain. It is much gentler on your skin while you are recovering from bouts of razor bumps.
Good luck and let me know if your condition improves. If you live in the Monmouth County NJ area, stop in to see me or make an appointment to try waxing!
About Valentina Chistova
Valentina Chistova is a world-renowned aesthetician and beauty expert whose experience encompasses all facets of skin care and body treatments. Internationally trained, educated and certified, Valentina has devoted more than twenty years to her profession. Throughout her successful career she has provided services to many celebrities, including Mrs. Globe 2001, famous socialite and entrepreneur Ivana Trump, well-known KTU radio personality Michelle Vassage and Olympic figure skating champion Galit Chait Prior to opening AQUAMEDICA in Long Branch NJ, Valentina also consulted with leading dermatologists, providing skin care regimes for their patients.
Valentina is a member of the National Cosmetology Association and a CIDESCO candidate (Comite International Desthetique et de Cosmetologie Desthetique), which is the highest degree of beauty therapy certification available in the United States and worldwide. Most recently, Valentina completed a rigorous training program with the Spanish organization Wontersaf, one of the world's leading centers for trichology, capillary diagnostics and scalp and hair treatment to combat hair loss and other hair dysfunctions. Valentina also holds a Registered Nursing Degree from Kharkov State University and Cosmetology degrees from the Kharkov Medical Institute in the Ukraine and the Capri Institute of Cosmetology in New Jersey.
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