Ingrown facial hair might be one of the most potentially embarrassing beauty problems an active mom can experience. Sometimes, these hairs can lead to an infection called folliculitis, which requires medical attention, according to the Mayo Clinic. However, if the ingrown hair is not infected, you might be able to get rid of it safely without leaving your home.
Washing
You can use a special washing method to try and remove that unwanted ingrown facial hair, according to the Mayo Clinic. Use a washcloth or soft-bristled toothbrush along with lukewarm water and a gentle soap. Gently scrubbing your ingrown facial hair in a circular motion at least twice a day may help it go away without medical intervention.
Consider Future Laser Hair Removal
You might need laser hair removal, especially if you keep getting ingrown facial hairs, according to the Mayo Clinic. African American and Hispanic women are much more prone to unwanted problems with ingrown hairs, though this can happen to any woman, especially if she has tightly coiled hair. Laser hair removal kills the hair follicles and thus makes it impossible for you to ever again suffer an ingrown facial hair. However, keep in mind that you can’t do this treatment while you actually have an ingrown hair; you must stop all types of hair removal until the problem goes away.
Call Your Doctor
Traditional ingrown hair remedies like placing a sterile needle under the hair loops may not be the best option for facial areas. You might need to call your doctor for help even if you don’t have a potential infection like folliculitis, according to the Mayo Clinic. She can prescribe a topical ointment or remove it herself, depending upon the situation. Serious cases of ingrown facial hair may require oral or topical antibiotics and use of different types of hair removal techniques in the future.
Prevention
Prevention is never absolute, but it is important to learn especially when it comes to facial hair removal, according to the Mayo Clinic. Don’t pull the skin taut when using wax or a facial depilatory cream. You might also consider using bleach to lighten the hair rather than try to remove it; bleaches carry risks, such as burning, with overuse but do not generally cause ingrown hairs. Also, while going to a professional salon doesn’t necessarily guarantee you’ll never again experience ingrown facial hair, it might reduce such occurrences.
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