Ingrown hair

Ingrown hair occurs when removed hair starts to grow back and curves into the skin leading to irritation and inflammation. It is most likely to happen in people who shave or wax intensively and have strong hair. The inflammation around the hair can be painful, and in addition, after healing, can leave hyperpigmentation, and sometimes deep scars.

Causes and consequences of ingrown hair

The structure of the hair itself is responsible for twisted growth and ingrowth when the hair is strong and sharp. The sharp edge that is formed during shaving, facilitates the passage of hair through the skin, which reacts as if it is a foreign body and creates an inflammatory process. Hyperpigmentation and scarring often remain after inflammation recedes.
Ingrown hair
ingrowth of hair

Therapy and prevention

Depending on the stage of inflammation, therapy can consist of lotions with antibiotics or salicylic acid which has a keratolytic effect on the skin, but often the therapy does not give satisfactory results. As a prevention, it is better not to pull out the hair and not to shave it in the direction of growth, but use depilatory creams instead. The only successful and lasting solution in prevention and treatment of ingrown hair is laser hair removal.
Autor
Svetlana Đurišić specijalista dermatovenerologije

Linkedin icon

Our Services

All types of dermatological examinations and interventions, aesthetic treatments and surgical interventions