How can I get rid of ingrown hairs and bumps on my face and scalp?
Let’ start by understanding the cause of these bumps on the scalp…
Razor bumps are often caused by close shaving and barbering techniques. The shaved areas of the skin endure micro-trauma over the protrusion of the hair follicle. The damage is often due to dull blades, excessive pressure, repeated passes, and/or shaving against the grain.
Our skin’s natural response to trauma is to repair and rebuild the damaged tissue, causing a blockage over the opening of the follicle. This blockage prevents the hair strand from breaking through to the surface of the skin. The hair strand will continue to grow and coil back into the skin causing it to swell.
What treatment is recommended for getting rid of these bumps?
Our preferred method to treat scalp folliculitis is with salicylic acid peels or ‘Acne Treatment”. Known for its exfoliating and anti-inflammatory benefits, Salicylic Acid is an effective solution for this and other skin conditions.
What to expect during your treatment…
Salicylic acid is applied to the area for 2-8 minutes and can be layered to intensify the treatment. The acid penetrates deep into follicles where it loosens and softens the oils and buildup. This allows for the hair to become dislodged as the skin begins to shed the excess layers above the follicle opening.
The treatment takes 30-45 minutes and may require manual extraction of the trapped hair. The chemical peel process is repeated 3-4 weeks apart until desired results are achieved, on average 4-6 sessions are required for maximum results.
What should I be doing at home?
Products containing Salicylic Acid are great for at-home treatment. Regular use of these products will continue the treatment process and boost results.
TIPS
Proper home care is key for maximizing results and preventing future breakouts. Here are some tips to follow:
Keep the area dry and clean.
Avoid wearing headgear for extended periods.
Do not shave down to the skin with razors.
Use electric trimmers with a guard to avoid close shave.
Exfoliate skin regularly.
Avoid picking at live skin.
While the visibly bumpy appearance on the skin is the most common concern, other far more concerning issues can arise from these bumps on the scalp. These skin flare-ups can cause scarring, permanent hair loss, bacterial and fungal infections. In severe cases, your skincare specialist may suggest a visit with your doctor for testing or diagnosis before commencing treatment.
Our role is to help improve the general health of your skin through professional care, products, and care recommendations. Call to book your complimentary phone consult with one of our skincare specialists!
How does IPL compare to other methods of ingrown hair removal?
Ingrown Hair Removal
IPL is one of the most effective ways of treating ingrown hairs because it not only removes the source of the condition but also helps alleviate some of the scarring left behind.
Here is how it compares:
Waxing
Waxing gives temporary removal and can thin the hair. Thinning the hair may result in more ingrown as the hair becomes too soft to break through the skin. It is not recommended to wax male facial hair due to risk of infection.
Tweezing
Provides temporary relief and can be time consuming. Picking out ingrown can leave scarring and infections.
Shaving
Often the cause of the condition and can cause major irritation over bumps.
Exfoliating
Clears the skin making of dead skin but does not remove the source of the problem or provide major benefit.
So now that you have the details, let us help you get rid of stubborn ingrown hairs and start clearing your skin with IPL Hair Removal. We guarantee you will be amazed with the results after just one treatment!
We are happy to add a new product to our online skincare store- Glo Therapeutics Clear Skin Body Spray.
This body acne spray visibly treats breakouts and congestion on the body by targeting acne-causing bacteria.
Synergistic ingredients balance excess oil, protect the skin’s moisture barrier and help clear skin.
HOW DOES THIS PRODUCT WORK? Disodium EDTA helps bind free radicals and impurities. Sodium Chlorite breaks apart sebum and bacteria while preventing regrowth of bacteria for extended periods of time. Salicylic Acid stimulates exfoliation in the skin, clearing pores and promoting new cell growth. Salicylic acid also reduces inflammation and smooths your skin’s surface. Mentha Spicata (Spearmint) Oil acts as an antibacterial and antioxidant ingredient to help prevent future body breakouts.
Ideal for use on the back and chest. Available for pick up or delivery.
Visit our Online Store to shop for professional Skincare products.
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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