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Introduction
After hair removal, it sometimes happens that the hairs that grow back get stuck under the skin: this is called ingrown hairs. All areas of the face or body can be affected by this phenomenon. In addition to being unsightly, ingrown hairs can cause pain or inflammation. However, it is possible to remove them with laser hair removal.
What is laser hair removal?
Laser hair removal removes hair from the root by destroying the hair follicle. The heat-induced by the laser creates an intense thermocoagulation phenomenon, which permanently removes hair from the treated area. This technique can remove up to 90% of the hair in the treated area.
Side effects are rare, as laser hair removal is performed in a medical setting. However, redness, small burns, and temporary depigmentation spots may appear after the sessions. Other side effects that can occur after laser hair removal are paradoxical hair growth and ingrown hairs.
Definition of an ingrown hair
An ingrown hair is hair under the skin that fails to break through the dermis barrier. If left untreated, it can cause discomforts such as itching, pain, redness, irritation, and even swelling and infection.
Ingrown hairs can appear on all depilated areas of the body. However, certain areas are more prone to ingrown hairs, such as the legs, bikini line, and underarms for women and the beard for men. These areas are, in fact, subject to friction from clothing, which tends to thicken the skin.
What are the causes of ingrown hairs?
There are many causes leading to ingrown hair, regardless of the hair removal technique used:
- A fine hair, not strong enough to break through the skin barrier;
- A curly hair that can grow crooked under the skin;
- A wrong skincare routine;
- Repeated rubbing of clothes on the depilated area, which thickens and dries out the skin.
What are the different treatments to remove ingrown hairs?
Because of the undesirable effects that ingrown hairs can cause, it is first important to act in prevention. This means following a skincare routine that includes exfoliation and moisturizing the skin to help the hairs come out more easily. When ingrown hairs are already there, the use of an antiseptic can calm the inflammation. To get rid of ingrown hairs for good, permanent laser hair removal is the most effective solution.
Treatment of ingrown hair on the armpits
Underarms are particularly prone to ingrown hairs. A laser hair removal treatment can eliminate these hairs under the skin in 6 to 8 sessions, spread over a period of 18 months.
Treatment of ingrown hair on the bikini area
Ingrown hairs on the bikini area are very common, leading many women to opt for laser hair removal. 6 to 8 sessions are necessary to get rid of it.
Treatment of ingrown hairs on the legs
Ingrown hairs can also appear on the legs. For women with moderate hair growth, 6 to 8 sessions are needed to remove hair from this area and limit the risk of new hair growth under the skin.
Treatment of an ingrown hair on the face
Hair grows under the skin also affects men. It is not uncommon to see ingrown hairs appear on the face or neck area. To remedy this, laser hair removal sessions can be performed on the beard.
Treatment of an ingrown hair on the chest
Permanent hair removal on the chest is a growing request among men. To get rid of hair growth and ingrown hairs on this part of the body, it usually takes between 8 and 10 sessions.
Treatment of ingrown hair on the back
The back area is the most requested body part by men for laser hair removal. It is also one of the areas where ingrown hairs can occur.
The back has several distinct areas (upper back, lower back...). To remove hair from the entire back, takes about 8 or 10 laser sessions, depending on the pilosity.
The upper back and shoulders are a delicate area, and the hair can be thinner there than elsewhere. For this part of the body, there are risks of paradoxical regrowth. A consultation and examination before any session are necessary to know if the benefits of laser hair removal in this area outweigh the risks.
