Ingrown Hair on Legs
As you begin to shop for summertime mini-skirts, the perfect dress for the prom, or a dazzling dress for your first big date – you should stop to consider the issue of preparing your legs for the occasion. Smooth, hairless legs are a must if you want to impress, which means you will most likely reach for the razor blade or consider applying a bit of hot wax.
However, many different factors can affect the final outcome – causing ingrown hairs to emerge after the process has worn off. Did you know that becoming familiar with the common causes of this well-known condition can help you avoid this irritating problem in the first place?
Appearance
In the case of shaving, sometimes a sharp tip is left behind when a hair is broken off at an angle. When it comes time to regrow, it may deviate from its natural growth pattern and emerge out of its follicle at an angle or curl back into the skin. When this happens, inflammation and redness appear. At times, a bump will arise and the site can become painful to the touch. Other signs of ingrown hairs include itchiness, red rash, and an infection that brings pus to the surface of the skin [1].
Causes
Shaving is not always at fault for the ingrown hairs that can attack the legs. Follow the list below to learn other major causes of this widespread occurrence:
a) Bad Round of Waxing:
Irritate the legs during a session of waxing and you can cause ingrown hairs to develop when new growth emerges from follicles.
b) Sugaring:
Also known as Persian waxing, this method of hair removal has been around for thousands of years. With the use of warm sugar and muslin strips, it takes a certain skill to perform this task to avoid future ingrown hairs [2]. Much similar to waxing, an individual that chooses sugaring for the legs faces the risk of skin irritation and adverse reactions.
c) Using an Epilator:
An epilator is an electrical device that removes hair using a mechanism that grasps several strands at one time and then pulls them out [3]. Where waxing pulls out hairs as well, an epilator fails to remove dead skin cells, which can clog up pores and cause ingrown hairs to develop. Not only does this method produce broken tips that can turn into ingrown hairs, but it is also known as a painful process to endure.
d) Not Enough Time:
If you’re running low on time in the morning, don’t attempt to shave your legs or you will increase your chances of suffering skin irritation and common conditions like ingrown hairs.
e) Tight Pants:
Ingrown hairs occur when friction, irritation, sweat, and other conditions affect the natural growth pattern of hair. Stifling new growth increases your risk for inflammation and disrupted hair patterns.
Resources
[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ingrown_hair
[2] http://www.ivillage.co.uk/beauty/bodybasics/remove/qas/0,,548157_580930,00.html