The most common question we hear from our male skin care clients are regarding the ingrown hairs in their lower face/neck region. What causes them? How can I get rid of them? In this post we’ll answer your questions, and bring you tips for treating, and preventing ingrown hairs.
WHAT CAUSES INGROWN HAIRS?
Ingrown hairs are caused by trapped hairs in the hair follicle that have become weakened, diverted, or blocked during the hair growth cycle. The trapped hair continues to grow within the follicle causing painful pressure and inflammation of the follicles.
The inflamed follicles often become infected causing painful discomfort; they can also leave your skin scarred for months, and be harmful to your health.
As with any infection, if left untreated, it can spread to other areas of the system via the circulatory system. In severe cases a trip to the doctor for drainage, and a course of antibiotics, may be required.
Using a dull or low quality razor contributes to this condition by increasing the need to apply unnecessary pressure in order to achieve a clean shave. The excess pressure causes the blades to scrape along the skin and opening of the hair follicle, creating micro-tears.
Your skin reacts to this trauma by forming new cells at the site of injury which can cause hyperkeratosis, an overgrowth of skin surrounding the follicle, or blockage of the follicle opening.
Ingrown hairs will typically occur in areas of the body with a high concentration of dense coarse and/or curly hair, such as the beard, neck, back, or chest. Areas where the skin is under pressure or friction due to clothing or creases in the skin are also susceptible. When your hair attempts to break through the surface of the skin, it is pressure back into your skin, thus causing the ingrown hair to form.
Men with darker skin tones can develop a condition called psuedofolliculitis, another form of ingrown hairs. This is due to the texture of the hair being thicker, stronger, and tightly curled.
HOW CAN I GET RID OF MY INGROWN HAIRS?
Tips for Preventing Ingrown Hairs
Replace your razor continuously. If it’s not doing the job in a couple swipes then it is time to say goodbye!
Gently exfoliate before shaving. Start with a good exfoliation using mild AHA/BHA or enzyme based cleanser. This will gently loosen dead surface cells without the vigorous scrubbing of skin scrubs, giving you a smooth skin to glide your razor. The Daily Polishing Cleanser by Glo offers you a micro exfoliation along with the benefits of BHA- Salicylic Acid.
Prep the hair for shaving. Press a damp-hot towel into your skin after exfoliating. This will help soften the hair and open the follicles making it easier to cut through the hair.
Use a good quality barrier to protect your skin during the shave. Choose a shaving agent that contains less fragrance and ingredients that benefit your skin during the shave. Highly fragranced products can irritate the skin and cause unnecessary sensitivity. Shaving oils are a great addition to your shave regime.
Seal the skin after shaving. Following a good shave your skin is left exposed and sensitized. Using a mask or protective aftershave will give your skin a protective barrier against the elements. Try the Cucumber Recovery Mask by Glo for a lightweight protection and refreshing hydration.
Tips for Treating Ingrown Hairs
Permanent removal. For permanent treatment of this condition laser/IPL hair removal will do the trick. This process permanently reduces the amount of hair that grows in the area treated and with the right process you can also reduce scarring and inflammation. It can be performed over the entire area, targeted areas, or along your beard line for a crisp outline. Book your hair removal service with our laser/IPL expert.
Chemical Peel. Chemicals peels are a great way to dissolve the follicle blocking layers from the skin and reveal fresh undamaged layers. They also help push the trapped hair in the follicle and debris to the surface. A Grape Enzyme Peel is the go-to when treating ingrown hair and psuedofolliculitis.
Extraction of the hair . Unless the tip of the hair is visible, extraction should be performed by skin care pro. This will ensure that the hair is safely and effectively removed, with less discomfort and risk of scarring. This treatment is normally performed during a facial treatment and is the focus of the dermica MAN facial treatment.
Topical Tretinoin (Retin A) and Retinol (Vit A) derivatives . This medicinal ingredient decreases the overgrowth of skin surrounding the follicle and diminishes scarring. The Tretinol .05% by Glo is excellent treating affected areas at home. It can be incorporated into any homecare routine and is has many other benefits to the skin.
Back acne, aka ‘Bacne’ can be a sensitive subject to approach when searching for back acne treatments. This condition can be caused by several factors but seems to be more prevalent in physically active people.
All of our Skin Care treatments are designed to meet your skin’s specific needs. Back care products are selected based on your expressed skin concerns in consultation with our skin specialist.
2 types of Back Acne treatments
Back Treatment. Ideal for all skin types
Our BACK Treatment, also known as a “back facial”, is up to 75-minutes in treatment time. It begins with a deep pore cleanse followed by exfoliation. The exfoliation process removes build up and dead skin on your back. After that, a relaxing steam session warms and softens the skin in preparation for manual extractions.
A custom mask application delivers nutrients through a relaxing massage on your back. Moisture care is applied. The Back Treatment is meant to maintain skin balance, clear infected blemishes, and of course, to pamper ;)
Back Acid Peel
Our BACK ACID PEEL treatment is a Professional AHA/BHA Chemical Peel. This treatment is designed to balance the skin’s pH, lift scarring, and help prevent future breakouts. These treatments are ideal for problematic acne prone skin.
WHAT IS A CHEMICAL PEEL?
A chemical peel is a medical esthetic procedure. It safely removes the outer layers of the skin through the application of organic acids derived from various natural sources. This process brings fresh new cells to the surface of the skin giving it a healthy, smooth and even appearance.
Besides maintaining proper skin care through professional care, there are other factors we recommend:
Stay on top of your diet Remember that anything ingested by the body has effects on major organs. Your skin is not only the largest organ, it is the most visible of all. Therefore, it is the window into your internal health.
Consistently wash your bed sheets Especially if you eat in bed, it is important to wash your sheets approximately once a week. In addition, it is not uncommon to sweat during your sleep. Sweat on your sheets may attract bacteria.
Shower after physical activity When you sweat during a workout, your pores become enlarged thereby opening up to bacteria. Close your pores by taking a quick refreshing shower.
Book a consultation with our skin health experts and begin your journey to clear and healthy skin. We will help you develop a skin health plan that is right for you!
Love, Peace, and Great Skin! Dérmica MedEsthetics (780) 885 7108 dermica.ca
Many of our clients experience an 80% hair reduction on their 1st treatment!
Mens Laser Hair Removal in Edmonton
Mens laser hair removal is a popular treatment among Edmonton spas. Phototherary treatments such as IPL and Laser Hair Removal are great solutions for men who want to permanently reduce the amount of hair on their body, or remove it completely.
These advanced treatments are somewhat of an investment and cause injury to your skin if not delivered properly, so do your research and make sure operational requirements are met by both the business and technician, before going for the bargain service.
If you choose to have your treatment performed by the experts at Dérmica, here’s what you can expect:
Our tech begins by disinfecting your skin, she provides you with your protective eyewear, then off she goes zapping away
Some lasers, like ours, are equipped with cooling systems, making your service a breeze. The cooling system makes your treatment significantly less painful (if at all), and 100% less messy than other lasers
For the following 24-48 hours you will be required to avoid direct heat, perspiration, sun exposure, strong/fragranced soaps, lotions and washes. Ensure your skin has not been sunburned, treated with AHA/BHA, or medications/vitamins that may affect your skin
Typically you will notice a stunt in the growth of hair, followed by what seems to be continued growth, then towards your 4-6 week the hair will begin to fall out. At this point you are ready for your next session
At Dérmica, we have found most men require 8-12 treatments to see maximum results.
Shaving is necessary for most IPL/Laser treatments, so it’s best to have it shaved down prior to your appointment.
TIPS
For irritating razor burn and ingrown hairs we recommend picking up some “Bump Stopper” solution found in the ethnic hair care section at most drug store/supermarkets.
You can also try the Glo Clear Skin Body spray, a great salicylic wash for problem areas on the body.
Stay Sharp Gentlemen!
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Located in YEG, Dérmica offers Mens waxing and IPL Hair Removal.
Ode to the dapper man
We would like to begin by expressing my gratitude to the fashion gurus and trendsetters for the reintroduction of the “Dapper Man”! He is fresh, stylish, well mannered, and oh-so distinguished… or so he appears to be, nonetheless, thank you!
Now, how does a young man achieve this level of style and class? Aside from sporting a fancy beard, well-tailored pair of slacks, and a clean tapered fade or man bun, he must be all around “well groomed”- meaning a trip to the spa for a professional men’s hair removal may be necessary. The best options for men in YEG for hair removal are waxing and IPL/Laser hair removal.
Short term hair removal
Traditionally, men’s waxing involves the use of warm wax, typically honey or pine resin-based and cloth strips. The esthetician first preps the area by disinfecting and applying a protective barrier to the skin. The warm wax is then applied using a wooden spatula and covered with a cloth strip; this is referred to as strip waxing or soft waxing. The strip is then quickly pulled off parallel to the skin and voila your skin is left smooth and hair free!
Prior to booking a wax service ensure your hair is at least ¼ inch long, and has not been sunburned, treated with AHA/BHA, or prescription acne medications. Avoid caffeine for a couple hours before your appointment to reduce sensitivity. Results are visible for about 2 weeks, with 4-6 weeks before you are ready for your next visit. After care for waxing includes: avoiding heat, sun exposure, strong/fragranced, lotions, and washes for 24 hours and frequent skin exfoliation.
Long term hair removal
For a permanent solution, opt for IPL/Laser hair removal treatments. These advanced treatments should only be performed by trained and certified technicians, so do your research before going for the bargain service. Shaving is the necessary for most IPL/Laser treatments, so it’s best to have it shaved down prior to appointment.
The tech will begin by disinfecting your skin. Next, she will provide you with your protective eyewear before she goes zapping away. For the following 24-48 hours you will be required to avoid direct heat, perspiration, sun exposure, strong/fragranced soaps, lotions and washes.
Like waxing, ensure skin has not been sunburned, treated with AHA/BHA, or medications/vitamins affecting the skin. Typically you will notice a stunt in the growth of hair, followed by what seems to be continued growth. Four to six weeks after, the hair will begin to fall out. At this point you are ready for your next session. Most men require 6-8 treatments to see maximum results, but of course some machines are built better than others, so results may vary.
These treatments are somewhat of an investment and cause injury to your skin if not delivered properly, so do your research and make sure operational requirements are met by both the business and technician.
TIPS
For irritating razor burn and ingrown hairs I recommend picking up some “Bump Stopper”. This solution can be found in the ethnic hair care section at most drug store/supermarkets. You can also try Glo Skin Beauty’s Purifying Gel Cleanser, a great foaming wash with powerful acne-fighting ingredients that stimulate exfoliation and clears pores.
OK OK… we can understand why some men are still hesitant to wax. That is why we are here to help you prepare for your appointment, as well as provide some facts about men’s waxing.
Results last longer than shaving
Hair grows back thinner and less-apparent each time you wax
Shows details of chest and back musculature
Helps with body odour by removing sweat-producing hair
Removes dead skin cells making your skin feel smooth
Male Waxing Demographics- Who waxes?
Professional men in business attire, such as lawyers, bankers, government officials, businessmen, etc. Waxing removes body hair that may interact with textiles in their clothes. This friction creates heat and sweat production. Men who wax go trough their day confident in the way they smell.
Men who value fitness, like athletes, swimmers, bodybuilders, and men who simply enjoy the gym. By removing body hair that hides muscle definition, men can show off their hard work down to the finest detail.
Men with active sex lives. We can’t speak for all women, but we feel safe in saying that back hair is not sexy. Men who wax look well-groomed and refined.
Forward-thinking men who recognize a clean appearance can improve their prowess in their social and business lives.
Not only does waxing improve your confidence by giving you a clean and sophisticated look, you can feel secure about the way you smell throughout the day. Results are long lasting. Come for a visit at Dérmica.
