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Most men prefer smooth faces with well-trimmed, clean and kept beards. An individual’s appearance is the first thing people see, and depending on how neat or clean you are, people can easily say a lot about you. In some career, to be legal, you have to clean shave your beads to meet the standards of the organizations. However, there some inevitable changes in our bodies that can affect our appearance, and at times lower your confidence and also reduce your productivity.
If you notice strange bumps appearing on your face, and they are not pimples, they could be ingrown hairs. At times they can lead to significant discomfort such as itchiness, raised red bumps or even painful boil-like sores. Most people have no idea what they are, what causes them, and how they can be prevented and managed. The following information is relevant to create high awareness of one of the most challenging beard hair condition.
Reasons Beards Get Ingrown Hairs
Beards get ingrown hairs due to various reasons as; cutting your hair too close to the skin. When the hair gets cut too close to the surface, the follicles become weak, and it tends to grow back beneath your skin rather than popping out. People with thick and curly hair develop a type of ingrown hair known as pseudofolliculitis, which results in a collection of bumps after shaving. Tightly curled hair enters the skin once the hair is cut and begins to grow backwards. If your skin taut get pulled during shaving, the hair re-enters the surfaces and don’t quickly grow out. Tweezing also leaves hair under your skin, causing inflammation. If you have a high level of sex hormones, your beards are likely to grow very fast. There is an excellent possibility of getting ingrown hairs, especially after shaving. Generally, ingrown hair in beards is dependent on the structure of your hair follicles, your type of hair and the speed of growth.
Early Signs of Ingrown Hair in Beards
Embedded Hairs
These are hairs growing deep inside the skin. It is the initial symptom of ingrown hairs whereby you notice the abnormal growth of your hairs beneath instead of growing upright.
Itching
Most people experience itchy skin, especially after shaving the beards and get often ignored. Ingrown hair results to irritation on the surface, and is very itchy and uncomfortable, especially when they are very many.
Papules
These are small solid rounded bumps that pop out your face. The papules are, at times, red and cause significant discomforts by altering a person’s appearance. If not well taken care of, the papules can result in painful sore-like boils.
Skin Darkening
People with dense beards growth, covering most parts of their skin, experience darkening after shaving. Dark skin is an indication of ingrown hair that needs attention and management as soon as they appear.
How to Prevent Ingrown Hair in Beards
Use a Single-blade Sharp Razor
Sharp razor blades will move over your skin swiftly without tagging by reducing the number of times you draw a shaver across your face. A shaver with multiple modules will cut the hair under your skin, and when it grows back, there is an excellent possibility of getting an ingrown hair. Also, clean your razor severally during the Shave; rinse it after each stroke to provide lubrication. It also removes entrapped hair or shaving cream, which can make the shaving process strenuous if they accumulate.
Shave with the Grain
Shave your hair in the direction of growth for shaving it against its growth direction can pull off your hair and result to irritations. You need to understand that hair grows differently in different people. Your grain can be vertical or horizontal, therefore take enough time to understand the direction of your hair growth before shaving.
Extra Foliate and Clean before Cutting
Rub your skin in a circular motion with face scrub and towel every day, to tease out stubborn ingrown hairs and to remove dead skin that can trap hairs and turn them into razor bumps. Also, get a good brush to apply the cream on your face, those from badger hair are of excellent quality. The brush’s stiff bristles will keep your beards free from knots and draw out the dirt that has accumulated in your hair follicles.
Shave with the Least Amount of Strokes Possible
Reducing the number of strokes on your skin lessens the chances of your hair slipping back into the skin. If possible, shave each part of your skin only once to prevent irritation and ingrown facial hairs.
Use Warm Water and Shaving Cream
Wet your skin with warm water, and use a clear gel or cream to avoid foaming as you shave. These products will genuinely help you to prevent the occurrence of ingrown hairs in your skin. Go for high-quality shaving cream, soap, or gel depending on your preference but put into consideration the amount of irritation it can cause.
Avoid Shaving Too Close to your Skin
It is advisable to leave a little stub as you cut, to reduce the possibility of razor irritation. Consider using electric razors as manual ones are likely to cause considerable damage, especially if pressed against your skin. The electric blades are designed to prevent them from getting in contact with your skin. It prevents irritation or cutting your skin and also shields you from nicks and prevents ingrown hairs.
How to Treat Ingrown Hairs in Beards Safely
Most people are very interested in creating and managing the ingrown hairs in their beads. There is a lot of information and remedies provided, but the most significant concern is how to do this safely. As you try to treat them, use methods with the least side effects to avoid creating a more substantial problem as you solve a minor. The following are safe methods that you can use to treat the undesired and stubborn ingrown hairs on your face;
Using Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera is a traditional remedy that eases irritation after shaving. It is known for its antibacterial, antiseptic benefit and preventing inflammation. Most people plan it at their home for its exceptional medicinal purposes. If you have one at home or buy it at the stalls, it could be of great help. Squeeze the gel out of the herb and apply it gently on your face. You can also buy processed aloe Vera creams but be careful to identify those with added chemical components that can be harmful to your skin. You can also use aloe Vera creams to shave as they prevent irritation and ingrown hairs in your beards.
Applying Lemon Juice
Squeeze one piece of lemon and apply it on your face, especially the places with signs of ingrown hair. Lemon juice acts as an antiseptic and prevents bacteria from colonizing the infected areas, thus reducing itchiness, redness and the irritations caused by the raised bumps. It is irritating as you apply, but it will ease with time and have no significant side effect. It will also scrub off the dead skins on your face and give you a smooth appearance.
Using Honey
Honey is an excellent skin remedy that moisturizes your face. It also acts as an antiseptic healing infection and also preventing the ingress of harmful bacteria in your skin. Apply honey gently on your face and leave it for a period of 20 to 30 minutes. It loosens your skin and brings the ingrown hairs close to the surface; thus, you can pluck them efficiently and with no pain.
Dilute it with water before applying it onto your skin because it is too strong. It is antibacterial oil, and on using it on your face, it reduces the itchiness, redness and sores caused by infections on your face due to ingrown hairs. It is a natural remedy with no reported cases of side effects. When applied thoroughly and wit, the right amount can lead to a clean shaved beards with no irritations and infections.
Using Hot Compress
Soak your face towel in warm water and press it around your face immediately after a shave. The heat opens up the skin pores on your face, loosens the ingrown hairs and brings them close to the surface where it is easier to pluck them using tweezers or hands. Repeat the process until you are entirely free from any irritation. The method will leave your skin moisturized and well hydrated preventing further infections.
Using Beard Oil
Beards oil is readily available in most shops. They are used to treat ingrown hair in beards as they moisturize the skin, open up pores discharging any purse caused by the infections. It also has antibacterial properties that prevent any further disease on your face. The oil is safe and has more benefits with very minimal side effects. Apply it every time you shave for better results for it makes your beards grow actively, look neat, and manageable.
Applying Treatment Creams
Witch hazel and hydrocortisone creams are examples of efficient and useful creams in treating ingrown beard hairs. They have anti-inflammatory properties and are natural antiseptics applied directly to the bumps to reduce irritation, redness and skin inflammation. Hydrocortisone is stronger, thus choose the appropriate cream depending on the extent of your infection. Apply a considerable amount; only a small drop is required and is sufficient to cause the necessary changes. Using too much will be wastage.
Laser Treatment
The treatment should be your last option if all the other methods fail. It is a permanent and very effective treatment of ingrown beard hairs as it addresses the root of the problem. Laser hair remover gets rid of all the unwanted hair fragments in the body, and also prevents any reappearance after the treatment. The laser energy is absorbed into the hair follicles and prevents hair growth. Though it is valid, the method is costly, and there is a need to repeat it to manage the problem completely.
Ingrown hair is a big problem in both men and women, and they also grow in various hairy parts of the body with the same effects. It is not a light issue and needs significant consideration since, in extreme cases; they result in painful sores that can be very disturbing. They can occur to every person regardless of your age, provided that you shave your hair often. It is therefore vital to gain insight on the reasons why ingrown hair appears, how to prevent it, manage and treat as well.
Men are the most exposed people since they have to shave their beards very often to remain neat. The above information is beneficial if taken into consideration. If you are infected and suffering much from ingress beards hair, the above natural remedies will be helpful. Avoid using chemical substances that are very expensive and reactive to your bodies while you can treat the infection at the comfort of your house. If you have susceptible skin, then consult your dermatologist before using any of the above products.
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