Dermatological Treatment For Ingrown Hairs
Posted on: 2 November 2021
For people that shave, an occasional ingrown hair is not unheard of. However, when ingrown hair bumps become the norm, they are painful, or they begin to leave behind awful scars and marks, it may be time to get some medical intervention. If you suffer from this condition, a visit to a dermatologist may be warranted.
Hair Removal Process
If you visit a dermatologist for this issue, he or she will often speak with you directly about your hair removal process. Shaving in the opposite direction of your hair growth, waxing or shaving too frequently, or using a tweezer to remove the hair are all processes that can increase the risk of ingrown hairs.
Take tweezing, for example, if the hair is not entirely removed, the small fragment of hair left behind can curl and grow into the skin, which will cause a bump. Sometimes, a healthcare professional will try to help you enhance your hair removal practices to rectify the issue before moving forward with more aggressive treatment.
Risk Factors
A dermatologist will also assess your risk factors to understand if you have any issues that put you at a greater risk for this skin irritation. For example, if you have coily hair, it is more prone to grow inward, and into the skin, which will cause a bump.
Also, if you have a condition that causes you to have an elevated level of sex hormones, your hair may grow more rapidly. Rapid hair growth increases the risk of ingrown hairs. In this case, the dermatologist may prescribe a medication that slows the rate at which your hair grows to control the issue.
Medical Conditions
Ingrown hairs can be an eyesore, but it is important to understand that they can also lead to certain medical concerns. One of the most concerning of these issues is an infection. As the bump becomes more irritated, it can open. In this open state, bacteria can settle under the skin and cause irritation.
In other cases, the bumps may not heal properly and cause the skin to form a keloid. There is also sometimes permanent scarring that is left behind. From antibiotics to treat the infection to retinoid creams that help minimize dark spots and even skin tone, a dermatologist can help control these possible health complications.
If you have a concern about ingrown hairs, do not hesitate to address this topic with a healthcare professional.
For more information on how medical dermatology can help you, contact a professional near you.
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