Ingrown hairs usually form where you shave, but can also be caused by waxing, plucking and threading. Laser hair removal gets to the root cause by targeting hair follicles directly and rendering them incapable of producing more hairs.
Home laser devices pose the potential danger of burns to those with darker skin tones, although most offer charts indicating their level of safety for different skin and hair colors.
1. Shaving
There are many at-home hair removal solutions that will allow you to zap unwanted body hair without leaving your home, but even the best devices won’t give the same results as professional laser treatments. According to dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, MD, at-home handheld devices marketed as lasers but actually emitting IPL (Intense Pulsed Light). As these IPL devices emit multiple wavelengths at once and could potentially burn those with darker skin tones more than lighter tones when using this device.
IPLs don’t compare to real lasers when it comes to distinguishing between melanin and surrounding skin follicles, leading to less effective differentiation between them and hair follicles, leading to potentially new hair growth after using these devices after waxing or depilatory cream treatments as these often promote quicker hair regrowth rates.
Shaving can lead to ingrown hairs, the opposite effect of what is desired when trying to rid oneself of unwanted body hair. These inflamed bumps form when hair that should grow away from the skin instead curls back towards it instead. This usually happens in the beard area or bikini line and even more so if one attempts to pluck or wax their locks.
If you’re suffering from ingrown hairs after shaving, exfoliation can help clear them up; but if they remain an ongoing problem, speaking to your physician about laser hair removal might be worthwhile; this treatment not only removes existing hair but also damages its source so it no longer produces new ones.
2. Exfoliating
Hair removal methods like shaving, waxing and tweezing do an effective job at eliminating body hair, but can leave behind their own set of problems such as ingrown hairs, razor bumps and itchy skin. Ingrown hairs occur when dead skin cells block hair follicles which causes inward-growing follicles instead of upward growth as intended by nature. Although home remedies like massaging the area with warm water or applying an exfoliant can temporarily relieve irritation caused by ingrown hairs they won’t address their source and stop growth from returning later.
Laser hair removal can be an effective solution to ingrown hairs and other uncomfortable side effects of body hair, if used both in-office and at-home. Laser devices use pulses of light to target and destroy hair follicles – as these must remain alive to produce new growth, their destruction leads to their inactivity. While the number of treatments needed varies based on factors like hair color/coarseness/hormonal influences/area being treated; most individuals need five-8 sessions spaced out four weeks apart.
laser hair removal does pose an increased burn risk than other hair removal methods, particularly for those with darker skin tones; however, it remains the most permanent and effective solution to unwanted body hair. Since active-growing follicles must qualify as targets for laser treatment before seeing long-term effects, results may take time.
Acquiring long-term, permanent hair-free skin takes patience but the rewards can be immense. By being committed and consistent, soon you’ll be living in ingrown-hair-free bliss!
3. Waxing
Waxing can lead to ingrown hairs when done improperly, with individual strands curling back into their own skin instead of rising above it and out. Ingrown hairs typically form near intimate areas like bikinis or underarms – leaving behind red, bumpy bumps that are uncomfortable but painful in appearance.
Hair removal is an integral component of skin care, but it may not be appropriate for everyone. Some individuals have more sensitive skin that may cause irritation and breakouts from waxing; meanwhile others might simply prefer another solution since waxing can be uncomfortable.
Laser hair removal offers an effective alternative to waxing. Laser treatment works by disabling hair follicles so they no longer produce hair, and it can be completed quickly, painlessly, and safely. When selecting an experienced provider to treat dark skin tones.
Before getting laser hair removal treatment, be sure to exfoliate regularly in order to avoid ingrown hairs from emerging. Exfoliation helps clear away dead skin cells that may clog hair follicles and will also keep pores free of hair follicles that could grow new hair in the future.
As much as picking at ingrown hairs can introduce bacteria and lead to infection, using gentle topical products instead can be more effective at drawing out ingrown hairs and soothing irritation. Tea tree oil, retinoids and glycolic acid – commonly found in skincare products – may also be useful. You could even use a warm compress as another tool for drawing out ingrown hairs without poking or prodding which could damage skin further and cause even bigger ingrowns.
4. Plucking
Plumping may seem like an easy and quick solution for getting rid of unwanted hair, but it could actually do more harm than good for your skin. After being plucked, the regrowth is usually longer and thicker than before being plucked, increasing their likelihood of becoming ingrown and trapped within pores. Furthermore, repeated plucking in certain areas could result in infections like Folliculitis or Pilonidal Cysts (pockets filled with dead skin cells that usually appear near tailbone).
Plucking also triggers your body into overdrive as it attempts to replace those lost hairs, with your immune system secreting chemicals that stimulate regrowth of hair follicles you just zapped – setting yourself up for an endless cycle of ingrown hairs!
Dermatologist Rachel Ward recommends laser hair removal if you want permanently smooth and hairless skin. This process works by targeting only melanin-rich hairs with pulsed light energy – although at-home laser or IPL devices may pose more of a risk due to less powerful machinery; they could burn surrounding tissue instead of only targeting problematic follicles.
At-home devices do not work effectively on all hair colors, including white, grey and red ones, due to being unable to differentiate between pigmentation and skin tone, meaning they’re unsafe for people with darker skin or hair tones. For more permanent solutions such as this one from Milan Laser that target all skin tones safely.
5. Laser Hair Removal
Anyone who has tried shaving, waxing or tweezing away body hair knows the discomfort ingrown hairs can cause. Not only are these red bumps unsightly and sometimes painful; they can also lead to infection if left unchecked. But many don’t realize there are ways they can be avoided: by exfoliating regularly using a clean razor when shaving or keeping hair short as examples of steps they can take in order to stay clear of ingrown hairs.
Laser hair removal is the best way to permanently eliminate ingrown hairs. Lasers heat the base of the follicle, killing it and stopping hair production; once this process has taken place, healing will ensue and prevent future ingrown hairs from appearing on your skin surface.
Lasers may help prevent ingrown hairs, but they won’t always eliminate them completely due to hair growth cycles and some hair being in its resting phase (telogen). Therefore, regular treatments must be scheduled in order to make sure all unwanted hair has been eliminated from your scalp.
Make sure that the appropriate technician performs your laser treatment, such as by verifying they have registered with a professional body to prove that they possess sufficient skills and insurance – this will keep you safe while ensuring they perform their task appropriately.
Ingrown hairs can be painful and irritating, yet can easily be avoided with just a few simple steps. If you’re sick of dealing with them or ready for something new, why not consider laser hair removal? Using advanced Cynosure Elite Nd:YAG and Alexandrite laser devices we offer safe laser hair removal treatments from almost any part of the body in men and women of all skin tones alike. Contact us now and book your session!
