preventing ingrowth hair

noshi11 · Jun 12th, 2008, 05:20 PM

What can I use to prevent ingrowth hair after waxing, shaving etc? any exfoliation methods or product recommendations?

soni27 · Jun 12th, 2008, 07:54 PM

rub with wascloth in circular motions every time u bathe

stoppit · Jun 12th, 2008, 08:36 PM

it depends on the level of ingrown hairs. some people can exfoliate ok with exfoliating scrubs and an abrasive washcloth or loofah (using the above mentioned method). some people need something a bit more abrasive to free the hairs and a pumice stone gently rubbed on the skin is good for this.
do you have access to the shop LUSH? The have an exfoliating scrub in the form of a body butter bar. it's great - leaves your skin smooth, soft and moisturised too.

Gina~ · Jun 13th, 2008, 03:44 PM

Be really careful if you chose to use the pumice stone as it tends to scratch the skin. Use a body brush, those usually work well. Before waxing dust the area with talcum powder it provides a better "grip" for the hair and removes all of it and lessons the chances of ingrown hair. A scrub you might want to try at home is brown sugar and olive oil.

stoppit · Jun 13th, 2008, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gina~

Be really careful if you chose to use the pumice stone as it tends to scratch the skin. Use a body brush, those usually work well. Before waxing dust the area with talcum powder it provides a better "grip" for the hair and removes all of it and lessons the chances of ingrown hair. A scrub you might want to try at home is brown sugar and olive oil.

this is true but you know sometimes there is no other effective option. i have a pumice stone, no idea where it came from, but it's really fine, doesn't scratch at all. but i do moisturise thoroughly afterwards because it is drying.

Afsoon · Jun 13th, 2008, 04:44 PM

Ingrown Hair!!! Grrrrrrrr, Aaaarrgh! Can't stand them... They are such a freaking nuisance!

soni27 · Jun 13th, 2008, 04:52 PM

i never got ingrown hairs with waxing, only when i started epilating..it is quite a nuisance having to exfoliate sooo much now.

Gina~ · Jun 14th, 2008, 04:49 PM

Even the very-fine pumice stone can leave scratches that lead to grey looking skin, so leave the pumice stone as u're last resort and try abbrasive scrubs and moisturize really well =) After waxing, wipe the area with chilled rosewater, that closes the pores and 2 days later use a loofah and scrub (before the fine hair appear)

noshi11 · Jun 16th, 2008, 10:28 PM

yeah i've tried the pumice stone in the past and it's just too harsh for my skin...

stoppit, weird a lush store opened recently and i never entered it once! i was going through their products... i might give it a try...

gina - i'm going to try the talcum and rosewater... and yeah i do use sugar with olive oil as an exfoliator... i guess i'll stick to it and add the rosewater and talcum to my routine

thanks girls

stoppit · Jun 17th, 2008, 03:54 AM

you could also try 'Ingrow Go by Skin Doctors', it's kind of expensive but I've been using it - it does work if you use it as much as instructed (twice a day for a few days). Google it and read some reviews!

tania44 · Jun 17th, 2008, 05:00 AM

I tend to use Tend Skin. I've recently noticed that I'm getting brown spots/marks where I think there were ingrown hairs that I never got rid of or realised were there. Are these permanent? Does anyone know how to get rid of these?

MiamisweetheartX · Sep 8th, 2009, 08:09 PM

i get ingrown hairs each time i get waxed or shave. Do u think Laser hair removal is an option? if so, how effective is the treatment?

stoppit · Sep 8th, 2009, 08:41 PM

^Yes. this was a motivator for my laser hair removal treatments (coarse, dark hair only!!), on legs and bikini line.

More info:

laser removing Hair.

Laser Hair Removal

CACI IPL Laser hair removal???

sweetpip · Sep 8th, 2009, 08:42 PM

try skin doctors ingrow go

stoppit · Sep 8th, 2009, 08:46 PM

^yea, it's a good product but a temporary method. it can only really effect the 'surface ingrowns'.. hair that is curled up etc.

'proper' ingrowns are fully beneath the top layers of skin that cause spots and scarring, the only way is to kill the follicles (laser or electrolysis). when i say you can squish/pick out thick hairs that have grown to a length of 0.5" below the top layers of skin.. i'm sure some of you will know what i'm talking about

chanda_kh · Sep 8th, 2009, 09:26 PM

thanks for the helpful information stoppit! laser seems like the best option so far!

bride2be · Sep 8th, 2009, 10:28 PM

i would love to get laser done... i always worry about the side effects that they "havent discovered" yet though.

cost is also another major factor. laser requires repeat sessions.

chanda_kh · Sep 8th, 2009, 10:34 PM

yeah that part kind of scares me...

MiamisweetheartX · Sep 8th, 2009, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bride2be

i would love to get laser done... i always worry about the side effects that they "havent discovered" yet though.

cost is also another major factor. laser requires repeat sessions.

i know thats why my mom doesnt want me to get it. But these in grown hairs drive me crazy !!! Its so painful

stoppit · Sep 9th, 2009, 07:28 AM

Ladies, there are no long term side effects of Laser such as cancer. It's been around for more than 15 years so we would have heard something by now. All the other side effects I mention in previous posts have been reported but I've never come across a single claim for something like cancer. This is just to put your mind at ease.

In reality, it's not physically possible. The Lasers are non-ionizing and wavelengths are visible to near infra-red. Basically, a large amount of energy is deposited in a small area, with shallow depth. It's the heat this generates that disables the follicles (also why LHR is painful).

Permanent side effects are a possibility; pigmentation and scarring. Although they are rare if you go somewhere reputable, where they use the right Laser type and settings for your skin type. The aestheticians need to be skilled to give good treatment and the clinic should have a good history of successful laser on your skin type. Never get it done at a 'salon'.

The most prolific side-effect seems to be induced growth, where the laser stimulates MORE hair to grow. This is usually in areas where the hair is actually too fine to be treated by Laser - the face, the neck, shoulders, upper back etc. A good clinic should inform you of this possibility and not suggest unnecessary treatment. For example, I'm having my legs done (full), the aethestician asked me how far up I wanted to go and agreed with where indicated as 'we don't want to stimulate more hair at the top of your thigh'.

I couldn't be happier. Lower legs, bikini and underarms are all perfect candiates for laser and pigmentation and scarring is really a very rare issue (terrible treatment basically), on these areas.

Also, the cost does work out. I've had 6 underarm treatments and am done at a total cost of £344. I haven't waxed since I started back in July last year.
Bikini, I've had 3 treatments and no hair is returning on most of the areas. My next sessions will be much cheaper as it's just a small area left.
Legs, 2 treatments and the response on lower legs has been fantastic. I envision only 1 more treatment there (I won't be totally hair free but the remaining hair is much lighter in colour, fine and soft - it won't respond to more Laser treatments, but that's totally cool with me). Maybe 2 more on the thighs.