I was recently asked if I knew of any home remedies for ingrown hairs. Actually, I have been very fortunate and really have never experienced this problem so I have no first-hand experience but this is a summary of some of the information I found on the problem.
HOME REMEDIES FOR INGROWN HAIRS
Ingrown hairs are also known as razor bumps because they are usually aggravated by shaving. The hair sometimes just curls right back on itself. When the tip of the hair re-enters the skin, its called an ingrown hair. The resulting bumps appear to be infections of an oil gland or hair follicle but they aren't. The skin does become irritated at the point the hair actually curls into the skin, however. Men and women , both suffer from this malady. The solution for both is to stop shaving. Short of that, here a few home remedies to consider.
image source: http://goeshealth.com/body-health/ingrown-hair-trigger-prevention-ingrown-hair.html
SHAVING TIPS
01) Always shave in the direction the hair grows.
02) If you already have razor bumps, more damage will be done if you shave over them.
Wash the affected area with an antibacterial soap.
03) Shaving more frequently but with a lighter touch can help prevent ingrown hairs.
04) Before shaving, take a needle or a pair of tweezers and carefully lift out any ingrown hairs.
Don't pick or dig at them resulting in damage to the skin and risking infection.
05) Prepare your hair and skin before you start to shave. Make sure your skin is softened with
warm water or towels, and wet. Never apply shaving foam or soap to dry skin.
06) If you have curly hair and prone to ingrown hairs, avoid electric razors.
07) Train your whiskers. Shave in the same direction every time and never press too hard.
After a few weeks, the hairs won't be as curly.
08) Switch to a single-track disposable razor so you will not shave too close
09) Use a new razor every time you shave. A dull razor makes the problem worse.
Be advised that natural solutions often take a bit more time to work because of their gentle nature.
HOME REMEDIES FOR THE TREATMENT OF REDNESS AND IRRITATION
SALT is used to prevent ingrown hairs.
Salt is not only exfoliating, but also helps increase circulation, promote healing and reduce swelling.
Salt is great for those with oily skin or acne. Others should stick to a gentler sugar scrub.
FOR THE FACE
Take one cup of warm water and add 1 ½ tsp of table salt (scale recipe down for a very small area).
Dip a fresh cotton ball or square into the mixture and swipe over the ingrown hairs; do not rinse off.
The salt mildly exfoliates and cleanses the skin, helping to draw out the hair.
Be careful using over nicks, irritated, red or freshly shaved skin and if you use strong exfoliators like
other hair removal treatments as it could burn. Use daily until ingrown hairs clears up, but stop applying
it if your skin gets red or irritated.
FOR THE BODY
like the legs or bikini area, soak in the tub with two cups of Epsom salt.
For a bit stronger exfoliation, take the Epsom salt and apply it directly to wet skin working in circular
motions and rinse off.
SUGAR SCRUB
Sugar is gently rids dead skin cells and can help the hair point back out of the skin.
Extra virgin olive oil or Jojoba oil makes skin more moisturized and pliable, so it becomes easier for
the hair to get released.
***Jojoba oil, a vegetable oil closest to the sebum (oil) that humans produce, helps replenish lost
moisture for normal to dry skin.
Jojoba oil available on Amazon click here
Essential oils not only add nice scents: Tea tree oil has antiseptic properties to prevent or fight off
infection and lavender oil is known to fight inflammation and redness.
Mix 1 cup white cane sugar and ½ to 1 cup extra virgin olive oil or jojoba oil together.
Add ten drops each of tea tree and lavender essential oil OR twenty drops of just one essential oil.
Mix together stirring thoroughly.
Wet skin and take a small amount scrub and working in circular motions using a washcloth or just your
hands. Rinse off and rub any leftover oil residue remaining into the skin.
Store the scrub in an airtight container away from heat and use within six months.
ASPIRIN MASK
Many products for ingrown hairs are sold containing aspirin because it exfoliates the skin and reduces
inflammation.
***Do not use if you have medical condition which requires you to avoid aspirin.
***Do not use on an area that has been waxed or a hair-removal cream used in the last four days.
Water (for oily skin) or extra-virgin olive oil /Jojoba Oil (for normal to dry skin) is used to hydrate and
replenish lost moisture.
Honey will help ward off bacteria so the area doesn't become infected, moisturize the skin and reduce
swelling.
Crush 3 to 4 uncoated aspirins .
Warm 1 tsp of honey with 1/2 tsp of water (for oily skin) OR
For normal to dry skin add 1/2 tsp of oil to the 1 tsp of honey
***To warm, place hot water in a large glass bowl. Place the honey mixture in a smaller bowl
and set it in the larger bowl of hot water until it softens
Add crushed aspirins and mix with a fork. Add a tiny bit more oil or water if it too thick.
Apply aspirin mask over the ingrown hairs using your fingertips, staying far away from eyes.
The mixture is also great for pimples, so place on them as well. Let it dry about ten minutes and remove
with warm water, making sure all traces are gone and pat dry.
Use aspirin mask once or twice a week depending on your skin type and severity of your ingrown hairs.
AYATE WASHCLOTH
Can be used on the face or body if the area isn’t inflamed or infected, made from the Agave plant,
it gently exfoliates the skin used by itself , wet, or with your favorite body wash or cleanser.
More mold resistant than a loofah it lasts a year or two and you can wash it with your other laundry.
Use daily for one week unless your skin gets red or irritated, and then every other day as a preventive.
AYATE WASHCLOTHS available on Amazon click here
This is only a reference guide, please check with your doctor or dermatologist if you have any questions
regarding your specific skin, health or medical conditions.
HOME REMEDIES FOR INGROWN HAIRS
Ingrown hairs are also known as razor bumps because they are usually aggravated by shaving. The hair sometimes just curls right back on itself. When the tip of the hair re-enters the skin, its called an ingrown hair. The resulting bumps appear to be infections of an oil gland or hair follicle but they aren't. The skin does become irritated at the point the hair actually curls into the skin, however. Men and women , both suffer from this malady. The solution for both is to stop shaving. Short of that, here a few home remedies to consider.
SHAVING TIPS
01) Always shave in the direction the hair grows.
02) If you already have razor bumps, more damage will be done if you shave over them.
Wash the affected area with an antibacterial soap.
03) Shaving more frequently but with a lighter touch can help prevent ingrown hairs.
04) Before shaving, take a needle or a pair of tweezers and carefully lift out any ingrown hairs.
Don't pick or dig at them resulting in damage to the skin and risking infection.
05) Prepare your hair and skin before you start to shave. Make sure your skin is softened with
warm water or towels, and wet. Never apply shaving foam or soap to dry skin.
06) If you have curly hair and prone to ingrown hairs, avoid electric razors.
07) Train your whiskers. Shave in the same direction every time and never press too hard.
After a few weeks, the hairs won't be as curly.
08) Switch to a single-track disposable razor so you will not shave too close
09) Use a new razor every time you shave. A dull razor makes the problem worse.
Be advised that natural solutions often take a bit more time to work because of their gentle nature.
HOME REMEDIES FOR THE TREATMENT OF REDNESS AND IRRITATION
SALT is used to prevent ingrown hairs.
Salt is not only exfoliating, but also helps increase circulation, promote healing and reduce swelling.
Salt is great for those with oily skin or acne. Others should stick to a gentler sugar scrub.
FOR THE FACE
Take one cup of warm water and add 1 ½ tsp of table salt (scale recipe down for a very small area).
Dip a fresh cotton ball or square into the mixture and swipe over the ingrown hairs; do not rinse off.
The salt mildly exfoliates and cleanses the skin, helping to draw out the hair.
Be careful using over nicks, irritated, red or freshly shaved skin and if you use strong exfoliators like
other hair removal treatments as it could burn. Use daily until ingrown hairs clears up, but stop applying
it if your skin gets red or irritated.
FOR THE BODY
like the legs or bikini area, soak in the tub with two cups of Epsom salt.
For a bit stronger exfoliation, take the Epsom salt and apply it directly to wet skin working in circular
motions and rinse off.
Sugar is gently rids dead skin cells and can help the hair point back out of the skin.
Extra virgin olive oil or Jojoba oil makes skin more moisturized and pliable, so it becomes easier for
the hair to get released.
***Jojoba oil, a vegetable oil closest to the sebum (oil) that humans produce, helps replenish lost
moisture for normal to dry skin.
Jojoba oil available on Amazon click here
Essential oils not only add nice scents: Tea tree oil has antiseptic properties to prevent or fight off
infection and lavender oil is known to fight inflammation and redness.
Mix 1 cup white cane sugar and ½ to 1 cup extra virgin olive oil or jojoba oil together.
Add ten drops each of tea tree and lavender essential oil OR twenty drops of just one essential oil.
Mix together stirring thoroughly.
Wet skin and take a small amount scrub and working in circular motions using a washcloth or just your
hands. Rinse off and rub any leftover oil residue remaining into the skin.
Store the scrub in an airtight container away from heat and use within six months.
ASPIRIN MASK
Many products for ingrown hairs are sold containing aspirin because it exfoliates the skin and reduces
inflammation.
***Do not use if you have medical condition which requires you to avoid aspirin.
***Do not use on an area that has been waxed or a hair-removal cream used in the last four days.
Water (for oily skin) or extra-virgin olive oil /Jojoba Oil (for normal to dry skin) is used to hydrate and
replenish lost moisture.
Honey will help ward off bacteria so the area doesn't become infected, moisturize the skin and reduce
swelling.
Crush 3 to 4 uncoated aspirins .
Warm 1 tsp of honey with 1/2 tsp of water (for oily skin) OR
For normal to dry skin add 1/2 tsp of oil to the 1 tsp of honey
***To warm, place hot water in a large glass bowl. Place the honey mixture in a smaller bowl
and set it in the larger bowl of hot water until it softens
Add crushed aspirins and mix with a fork. Add a tiny bit more oil or water if it too thick.
Apply aspirin mask over the ingrown hairs using your fingertips, staying far away from eyes.
The mixture is also great for pimples, so place on them as well. Let it dry about ten minutes and remove
with warm water, making sure all traces are gone and pat dry.
Use aspirin mask once or twice a week depending on your skin type and severity of your ingrown hairs.
AYATE WASHCLOTH
Can be used on the face or body if the area isn’t inflamed or infected, made from the Agave plant,
it gently exfoliates the skin used by itself , wet, or with your favorite body wash or cleanser.
More mold resistant than a loofah it lasts a year or two and you can wash it with your other laundry.
Use daily for one week unless your skin gets red or irritated, and then every other day as a preventive.
AYATE WASHCLOTHS available on Amazon click here
This is only a reference guide, please check with your doctor or dermatologist if you have any questions
regarding your specific skin, health or medical conditions.
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