Ingrown Hairs

[TexturedTresses]

does waxing minimize ingrown hairs? Also, what surefire tips do you know to get rid or prevent them from occuring. Thanks

[mnemosyne]

Waxing alone does not prevent ingrown hairs. For some it might cause more and for others it's more gentle to the skin (after the initial shock) than shaving.

To prevent ingrowns you need to exfoliate the area. I use exfoliation pads from bliss that contain salicylic acid to slough away dead skin. I've seen much cheaper exfoliating pads out there though as bliss's are $34 for 50 pads.

My waxer at bliss told me to use them for at least the first 15 days. From experience I can usually just use them for the first 10 days and be set. Since your hair grows in at a different rate you'll have to do this for a while till the majority of it comes in.

You can also use exfoliating gloves, but in my experience they don't do enough. Some people swear by tend skin. I think it's messy. The pre soaked pads give you a combination of exfoliating surface and liquid so you should be set.

[TexturedTresses]

Thank you, maybe i might try going to bliss for a wax job. Just how painful was it?

[coripixie]

Exfoliating will help keep ingrown hairs away. I have always have a problem with ingrown hairs and lately I've been experimenting with different ways to get rid of them. One thing I have discovered that works really well is lemon juice.
I had a big bump that I couldn't get rid of for many months no matter what I tried. The hair was in so deep I couldn't even see it. For the last week I have been putting lemon juice on it twice a day and the bump is completely gone and the hair has finally surfaced.
Use lemon juice with caution, though. I wouldn't put it on freshly shaved or waxed skin because it would probably burn like no one's business!

Thanks for bring this up--I am curious to see other people's answers.

[LoveLiLi]

Waxing definitely minimizes ingrowns for me; I hardly ever get any ingrown hairs when I wax. I am counting down the days until I'll be able to wax again (I couldn't wax for six months after using Accutane) because shaving makes my bikini area look a hot mess - ingrowns, razor burn etc. I use a fresh blade, an anti-bump gel, Tend Skin and I still get a-lot of irritation. It's just not for me.

If you do not want to wax you can use a product called Prince Reigns. I just started using it a few weeks ago, but the difference is amazing . Even though I've had to shave Prince Reigns has kept my skin so smooth.

I would suggest you stick to waxing if possible though. It hurts initially, but after a while you get used to it (I'm so used to it that I talk to friends on speaker phone when I wax. I just don't let them know what I'm doing). Waxing leaves my bikini area very smooth and it also helps my underarms look better. There's less irritation so they lighten up when I wax.

[LiLi]

TendSkin gets rid of ingrowns. My brother had a TERRIBLE case of them and I gave him my bottle. Within a few days, they were gone ... no joke. There is a homemade recipe for it on here but I haven't tried it to compare it to the name brand.

[neenee280]

I exfoliate religiously but I might get one here or there. I have a tweezerman needle tweezer. Pulls them right out. I get mine from Sally's.

http://www.tweezerman.com/index.cfm?page=productdetail&prod=211

[TrulyBlessed]

After years of doing everything from plucking to exfoliating to using tend skin (scarred my skin terribly), I finally invested in laser hair removal. Best decision I've made all year and the growth has been reduced drastically after only 2 treatments (have 4 more to go). I recommend it to anyone at their wits end and who has the money to do it. Insurance doesn't cover it but since I have a condition Folliculitus (aka ingrown hairs) she gave me a huge discount. If anyone is laser hair removal be sure to look around and ask for a discount, since ingrown hairs is an actual medical condition.

[TemiLnd]

I agree with you. I had laser hair removal on my underarms and bikini line. I have finished my treatment and its great. no more shaving and no ingrown hairs...

[LadyCee]

umping where do u ge the exfoliatng pads. the tend skin gave me peely skin helpppp!plz

[mica]

What type of laser did they use?

[kandegirl]

I get ingrown hair w/ shaving, waxing, whatever! And I do plan on getting laser hair removal. Truly Blessed, thanks for bringing up asking for a discount for ingrowns b/c I need one. The price for lasering here isn't cheap but I'm worth it!

[DivineNapps1728]

umping where do u ge the exfoliatng pads. the tend skin gave me peely skin helpppp!plz

To some extent I think that's the point. If it's too bothersome just reduce your usage.

I use a product similar to TendSkin & was terribly freaked out when I started peeling initially until I saw an ingrown hair in the sloughed off skin. To counteract the peeling I just exfoliate to remove the dead skin and moisturize or slow my usage of the product depending on how I feel.

My gyn offered advice on how to get rid of an ingrown after it's surfaced. She says to make a hot compress with water as warm as you can handle and place it on the ingrown daily, then clean with peroxide. When the ingrown softens and "pops" gently squeeze out fluid and continue the soaks and cleaning w/ peroxide.

Now on one hand I know her advice works & I got rid of a huge ingrown with NO scarring, on the other hand this method isn't for the faint at heart!!! The compress can cause irritation that seems wors than the ingrown itself initially and squeezing something that's sore can be a chore. it is something to try when all else fails though.

[TrulyBlessed]

What type of laser did they use?

They are using the YAG laser for me which is popular among african american skin.