Ingrown hair
Encyclopedia
Ingrown hair is a condition where the hair
curls back or grows sideways into the skin
. The ingrown hair condition is seen primarily among people having curly hair. It may or may not be accompanied by an infection of the hair follicle
(folliculitis
) or "razor bumps" (pseudofolliculitis barbae
), which vary in size. While ingrown hair most commonly appears in areas where the skin is shaved or waxed (beard
, leg
s, pubic region), it can appear anywhere.
Anything which causes the hair to be broken off short with a sharp tip can cause ingrown hair. Shaving is the leading cause, followed by waxing and tight clothing. The embedded hair causes a localized inflammation
(sometimes painful) response in the skin with prostanoid
involvement. Sometimes an ingrown hair occurs without external intervention, when the pore is blocked for various reasons, as is the case in keratosis pilaris
, and the hair is forced to grow sideways.
Symptoms include rash, itching skin, hair which remains in spite of shaving, and infection and pus collecting under skin. Treatments for ingrown hairs include putting a warm washcloth over the ingrown hair, shaving in a different direction, tweezing, exfoliating with facial scrubs, sponges, towels, or creams containing acids, and ibuprofen
or other NSAIDs. Prophylactic treatments include twice daily topical
application of diluted glycolic acid
. If this is caused by waxing or shaving, one can try a topical application such as a salicylic acid solution which also aid dramatically in the treatment of the ingrown hair.
When shaving, applying the proper amount of lubrication (in the form of shaving cream, gel, or soap) is important to prevent the hair from being forced underneath the surface of the skin. Also the application of too much force with a razor can contribute to hair that is cut shorter than the surrounding dermis.
Hair
Hair is a filamentous biomaterial, that grows from follicles found in the dermis. Found exclusively in mammals, hair is one of the defining characteristics of the mammalian class....
curls back or grows sideways into the skin
Human skin
The human skin is the outer covering of the body. In humans, it is the largest organ of the integumentary system. The skin has multiple layers of ectodermal tissue and guards the underlying muscles, bones, ligaments and internal organs. Human skin is similar to that of most other mammals,...
. The ingrown hair condition is seen primarily among people having curly hair. It may or may not be accompanied by an infection of the hair follicle
Hair follicle
A hair follicle is a skin organ that produces hair. Hair production occurs in phases, including a growth phase , and cessation phase , and a rest phase . Stem cells are principally responsible for the production of hair....
(folliculitis
Folliculitis
Folliculitis is the inflammation of one or more hair follicles. The condition may occur anywhere on the skin with the exception of the palms of the hands and soles of the feet.- Causes :...
) or "razor bumps" (pseudofolliculitis barbae
Pseudofolliculitis barbae
Pseudofolliculitis barbae , also known as barber's itch, folliculitis barbae traumatica, razor bumps, scarring pseudofolliculitis of the beard, and shave bumps, is a medical term for persistent irritation caused by shaving....
), which vary in size. While ingrown hair most commonly appears in areas where the skin is shaved or waxed (beard
Beard
A beard is the collection of hair that grows on the chin, cheeks and neck of human beings. Usually, only pubescent or adult males are able to grow beards. However, women with hirsutism may develop a beard...
, leg
Human leg
The human leg is the entire lower extremity or limb of the human body, including the foot, thigh and even the hip or gluteal region; however, the precise definition in human anatomy refers only to the section of the lower limb extending from the knee to the ankle.Legs are used for standing,...
s, pubic region), it can appear anywhere.
Anything which causes the hair to be broken off short with a sharp tip can cause ingrown hair. Shaving is the leading cause, followed by waxing and tight clothing. The embedded hair causes a localized inflammation
Inflammation
Inflammation is part of the complex biological response of vascular tissues to harmful stimuli, such as pathogens, damaged cells, or irritants. Inflammation is a protective attempt by the organism to remove the injurious stimuli and to initiate the healing process...
(sometimes painful) response in the skin with prostanoid
Prostanoid
Prostanoid is the term used to describe a subclass of eicosanoids consisting of: the prostaglandins , the thromboxanes and the prostacyclins - Biosynthesis : Cyclooxygenase catalyzes the conversion of the free essential fatty acids to...
involvement. Sometimes an ingrown hair occurs without external intervention, when the pore is blocked for various reasons, as is the case in keratosis pilaris
Keratosis pilaris
Keratosis pilaris is a common, autosomal dominant, genetic follicular condition that is manifested by the appearance of rough bumps on the skin...
, and the hair is forced to grow sideways.
Symptoms include rash, itching skin, hair which remains in spite of shaving, and infection and pus collecting under skin. Treatments for ingrown hairs include putting a warm washcloth over the ingrown hair, shaving in a different direction, tweezing, exfoliating with facial scrubs, sponges, towels, or creams containing acids, and ibuprofen
Ibuprofen
Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug used for relief of symptoms of arthritis, fever, as an analgesic , especially where there is an inflammatory component, and dysmenorrhea....
or other NSAIDs. Prophylactic treatments include twice daily topical
Topical
In medicine, a topical medication is applied to body surfaces such as the skin or mucous membranes such as the vagina, anus, throat, eyes and ears.Many topical medications are epicutaneous, meaning that they are applied directly to the skin...
application of diluted glycolic acid
Glycolic acid
Glycolic acid is the smallest α-hydroxy acid . This colorless, odorless, and hygroscopic crystalline solid is highly soluble in water. It is used in various skin-care products. Glycolic acid is found in some sugar-crops...
. If this is caused by waxing or shaving, one can try a topical application such as a salicylic acid solution which also aid dramatically in the treatment of the ingrown hair.
Prevention
There are a few precautions that can be taken to prevent ingrown hairs including proper shaving techniques and preparation of the skin before shaving.When shaving, applying the proper amount of lubrication (in the form of shaving cream, gel, or soap) is important to prevent the hair from being forced underneath the surface of the skin. Also the application of too much force with a razor can contribute to hair that is cut shorter than the surrounding dermis.
Treatment
There are many different treatments for ingrown hairs.- They can be removed with tweezersTweezersTweezers are tools used for picking up and manipulating objects too small to be easily handled with the human hands. They are probably derived from tongs, pincers, or scissors-like pliers used to grab or hold hot objects since the dawn of recorded history...
(though this can be painful and might cause infections) or dislodged with a rotatable medical device for ingrown hairs. - Some people who chronically get ingrown hairs use laser treatment or electrolysisElectrologyElectrology is the practice of electrical epilation to permanently remove human hair. The actual process of removing the hair is referred to as electrolysis.-Overview:...
to completely prevent hair growth. - There are many different products that prevent or cure ingrown hairs. Some are based on alcohol, while others are alcohol free. For some, alcohol can cause skin irritation and thus alcohol-free products may be preferred.
External links
- Ingrown Hairs from MedicineNet
- Ingrown Hairs from Weill Cornell Medical College
- Prevention of Ingrown Hair from Medicine Net / Hair Removal 1
- How to Remove an Ingrown Hair - article from wikiHow
- Facts About Ingrown Hair from http://thehairremoval.net/