Unwanted or ingrown hair: Home Doctor & Self Therapy

Excessive hair growth (hirsutism) can affect both sexes, but is usually only a problem for women. Some women are naturally more hairy than others and may have unwanted hair on their face, and hair growing thickly on their arms, pubic area, abdomen, and thighs. Excessive hair growth can also occur during pregnancy and after menopause. More rarely, it is due to an underlying illness or a drug. Ingrown hairs are often caused by hair-removal methods; as the hair grows again, it curls back into the skin, causing inflammation.

See your doctor first

Make an appointment to see your doctor if:
● You have noticed a recent increase in facial or body hair, and/or you have other symptoms such as irregular or absent periods, deepening of the voice, and weight increase
● You think that the hair growth may be due to a prescribed medication

What you can do yourself

If you are concerned about excess hair, try the following cosmetic measures.
● Use a hair-bleaching cream to lighten hair on your face (see DRUG REMEDIES, below).
● Pluck with tweezers to remove stray hairs under your nose and on your chin.
● Shaving is better for larger areas such as the legs. You can use an electric shaver or wet razor, which gives a closer shave. You will need to shave daily to avoid stubble. Shaving does not cause hair to grow back more thickly. Alternatively, use a hair removal product (see DRUG REMEDIES, below).
● Waxing or sugaring is effective (see PRACTICAL TECHNIQUE, below) because hairs are pulled out at the root, and take up to 4 weeks to grow back. However, if you find waxing difficult, consult a beauty therapist.
● Ingrown hairs usually dislodge themselves if you let them grow out. If not, try to lift out the end of the hair with a needle that has been sterilized under a flame, or dissolve the hair with a hair removal product (see DRUG REMEDIES, below).
Don’t shave until any inflammation has gone.

DRUG REMEDIES

Hair bleaches lighten facial hair and make it less noticeable against fair skin, but they are not as suitable for darker skins.
Hair-removal products include fast-acting creams and mousses that dissolve hair roots. Waxes and sugars pull out hair. Test products on a small area first in case of a reaction.

PRACTICAL TECHNIQUE

Waxing Before waxing or sugaring, hairs need to be at least 1⁄4 in (5 mm) long and your skin clean, dry, and free of creams and oils. Be careful if you have to heat the wax; very hot wax can burn the skin.
1 Apply a thin layer of wax or sugar paste on a small section of the area to be treated, in the direction of hair growth.
2 Place a fabric strip over the area and smooth it down. Holding the skin taut, pull off the strip against the direction of hair growth in one swift movement.
3 Continue until all the unwanted hair is removed, going back over areas of stubborn hairs. Apply an unperfumed moisturizing cream afterward. Avoid bathing or swimming until any redness has disappeared.