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If you’re a frequent shaver of body hair, particularly of the pubic variety, it’s likely you’re no stranger to ingrown hairs.
Ingrown hairs are pesky, and can be super painful no matter where they are on your body, but even more so when they’re on your labia.
Yup. If you’ve never experienced this, count your blessings. If you have, we’re sorry.
Here’s how to deal…
‘Ingrown hairs occur when a hair curls and grows back into the skin instead of growing out of it,’ Sarah Carswell, a women’s grooming expert and founder of luxury self care and grooming brand Sarah Louisa, tells Metro.co.uk.
Ingrown hairs can grow anywhere, from your head to your ankles, but they’re more likely to occur on the parts of your body you shave frequently.
So, if you shave your pubic hair regularly, it’s no surprise if you’ve found yourself with an ingrown hair on your vulva, labia or along your knicker line, as uncomfortable as it might be.
Thankfully, though, despite being a bit more irritating and harder to access, ingrown hairs aren’t generally worse than any other areas.
‘The treatment and prevention methods for ingrown hairs in the pubic area, including the labia, are similar to those used for other areas of the body,’ says Sarah.
‘It is advised to not pick at the ingrown hair as the skin is thinner in this area of the body so can bruise and become sore. It is advised to seek a specialist for removal or advice.’
What causes ingrown hairs?
There are a number of reasons you might get an ingrown hair, whether it’s from shaving or other hair removal methods, wearing tight clothing or simply having curly hair.
These are the key causes.
Curly or coarse hair
‘Curly hair tends to have a higher chance of becoming ingrown because it may curl back into the skin.’
Shaving or depilatory cream
‘Hair removal methods like shaving or depilatory cream can lead to ingrown hairs.
‘When hair is cut or removed close to the skin’s surface, it can have a higher chance of growing back into the skin.’
Tight clothing
‘Wearing tight clothing, especially in the pubic area, can cause friction and pressure that leads to ingrown hairs.’
Improper exfoliation
‘Lack of regular exfoliation can lead to a build-up of dead skin cells, which can block hair follicles and cause ingrown hairs.’
– Sarah Carswell, women’s grooming expert
What to do if you get an ingrown hair on your labia?
If you have an ingrown hair on your labia – or anywhere for that matter – make sure not to pick or squeeze it, as this can lead to infection or sparring, Sarah explains.
Instead, apply a warm compress for a few minutes. This will help to open up the pores and soften the skin.
Then, says Sarah, ‘use a soft-bristled brush or a gentle exfoliating scrub to gently exfoliate the affected area.
‘This can help remove dead skin cells and release trapped hairs.’
To get rid of the hair, you can use some specially designed tweezers to pluck the hair with precision, or you can try topical treatments.
‘Applying over-the-counter topical creams or ointments containing ingredients like salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, or hydrocortisone can help reduce inflammation and promote healing,’ says Sarah.
How to avoid ingrown hairs
To avoid ingrown hairs, Sarah says, ‘you need to use a sharp, clean razor and shave in the direction of hair growth, and avoid pressing too hard or going over the same area multiple times.’
If you always seem to get ingrown hairs after shaving, she suggests trying another hair removal method like waxing or laser hair removal.
On top of this, make sure to exfoliate regularly using a mild scrub or a soft brush. This helps ‘to remove dead skin cells and prevent hair follicles from becoming blocked,’ says Sarah.
Always remember to moisturise and you can also use talcum powder or a balm, which ‘acts like a barrier on the skin so helps prevent the hair tip from sticking to skin cells,’ she adds.
Finally, don’t wear so much tight clothing, and, if an ingrown hair becomes infected, it is advisable to consult a healthcare professional for treatment.
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