Does Laser Hair Removal Help With Ingrown Hairs?

6 Questions You May Be Dying To Ask…

Fuzz-free or letting it grow without inhibition; whatever you do with your hair is up to you. Some people aren't bothered about facial or body hair, it's totally natural after all so why not? Others prefer the look and feel of hair-free skin, that's cool too, you do you.

What Is In This Blog:

Which Laser Hair Removal Is Best?
Will Laser Hair Removal Work For PCOS?
Why Should You Not Pluck After Laser Hair Removal?
Will Laser Hair Removal Help With Ingrown Hairs?
What Happens If You Stop Laser Hair Removal Early?
Laser Hair Removal - Can You Shave Between Treatments?

At our St Albans laser hair removal clinic, we treat people with all kinds of different reasons for wanting a long-term solution for managing their unwanted hair. These reasons include skin problems from hair growth and/or hair removal; PCOS; gender reassignment; to simply not wanting to spend more time or money on unwanted hair removal treatments that don't last very long.

Naturally, these varied reasons for seeking out laser hair removal lead to all kinds of questions being asked; for us, this is great! We love to put our vast experience and knowledge to use. At our St Albans laser hair removal clinic, we follow the motto that no question is a stupid question, and therefore, if one person has asked it you can bet your bottom dollar that someone else is thinking it… with that said, I'm going to share some of the questions we get asked in the hope that they help you.

Which Laser Hair Removal Is Best?

At our laser hair removal clinic, we chose the Soprano Ice laser because it allows us to treat ALL skin tones; often we have discussions with people who previously believed that laser hair removal for dark skin isn't possible. This is not true. There are certain lasers that are suitable to treat light skin tones and some that are suitable to treat dark skin tones. The Soprano Ice laser is a diode laser which means the wavelength it uses is safe AND effective for ALL skin colours.

Will Laser Hair Removal Work For PCOS?

Laser hair removal PCOS goes well together. Excess hair is a symptom of PCOS and those of us who have this condition may notice hair growing in places that are typically associated with male hair growth. Facial hair, abdominal hair, back hair, and chest/breast hair are all common areas we treat for our clients with PCOS.

Laser hair removal is not a cure for PCOS, excess hair growth is only a symptom of having this condition. Nevertheless, unwanted hair can be very distressing for those who are dealing with it; we've had clients who were having to shave their face twice a day prior to having Soprano Ice laser hair removal with us. Although laser hair removal in no way cures the condition, as you can see from this example, it can be life-changing when it comes to managing this PCOS symptom.

Why Should You Not Pluck After Laser Hair Removal?

Laser hair removal energy uses your hair as the medium for the energy to travel down to the area where the hair grows. Once it reached this area, the aim is for the energy to destroy it, so the hair growth slows down or stops entirely.

Hair that is inside your skin but hasn't grown to the point where it's visible is still found by the laser energy. In fact, we don't want to see too much visible hair growth above the surface of the skin at the time of treatment because the energy can be wasted and, if the hair is particularly long at the time of treatment, you could harm the skin; therefore, you're asked to shave the area prior to treatment, but never pull the hair out at any stage during your laser course.

So, as you can see, if the hairs have been plucked, the laser energy has no way of getting down into the hair follicle to work its magic and therefore the next treatment is likely to be less effective.

See here for more information on how laser hair removal treatment works.

Does Laser Hair Removal Get Rid Of Ingrown Hairs?

Ingrown hairs are caused by the hair curling back into the hair follicle. This can be caused by shaving, plucking, or waxing. It's also common in those of us with curly and/or coarse, thick hair. Ingrown hairs are technically called “pseudofolliculitis barbae”, a term which rolls off our Nurse Janes tongue as effortlessly as saying her name; for most of us, it's much easier to say ‘ingrowing hairs'!

Ingrown hairs, or pseudofolliculitis barbae, are particularly common on the beard area, pubic area, chest, legs, and underarms; these are areas that are subject to lots of friction and/or are frequently shaved. The areas suffering may look and feel bumpy, sometimes little spots appear, and the skin may be red, irritated, and sensitive.

As ingrown hair is commonly caused by other methods of unwanted hair removal it stands to reason that by having laser hair removal, which greatly reduces hair growth or stops it entirely, you won't need to subject your skin and hair to these other hair removal methods. This means that laser hair removal can greatly reduce or stop ingrown hairs completely.

Equally, if your ingrown hairs are caused naturally by the characteristics of the hair, then reducing and stopping their growth via laser hair removal will also reduce the likelihood of ingrowing hairs in the future.

What Happens If You Stop Laser Hair Removal Treatment Early?

You will not get your full results. Your hairs have different phases of growth and there is one phase where Laser hair removal is effective; treatment is only effective on hair that is in the ‘Anagen' phase of growth at the time of treatment. Your hair will be in different phases at one time-approximately 10 to 15% of your hair in any area will be at the ideal phase at any time. Therefore, each session will treat different hairs at this stage in their life cycle so you should see a roughly 10 to 15% reduction in hair per treatment. Usually, by the third session, most people will have noticed changes in how fast the hair is growing and how much is growing. It's important to note that this is not an exact science and individuals may respond differently.

Laser Hair Removal – Can You Shave Between Treatments?

Absolutely! This type of hair management we encourage between your laser hair removal sessions until you see results and don't feel like you need to do so anymore.

Trimming or shaving is the only unwanted hair removal method we ask you to use during your course of treatment. Methods that remove the hair from the skin such as waxing, plucking, and epilating, are very likely to have a negative impact on your results.

Kerri Lewis, co-founder of our St Albans laser hair removal Hertfordshire clinic adds: “Laser hair removal is a quick, long-term way of reducing or totally stopping your unwanted hair growth. So many of our clients have told me that they wish they'd started their laser hair removal treatment earlier as they are saving time and money now that they don't have to wax or shave. If we haven't covered a question that you've wanted to ask about laser hair removal, please contact us, we'd be happy to help!”

What is Ingrown Hair?

An ingrown hair occurs when a hair follicle cannot push the hair through the skin, resulting in the hair curling inwards and getting stuck. This pushes the skin up, causing a reddish-purple bump that can trap dead skin, oil, and dirt. Ingrown hairs happen more commonly for people with naturally curly hair or in areas of the body with coarse patches of hair.

Ingrown hairs can appear with many different signs and symptoms, including:

Small, solid bumps that are usually circular.
- Small, blister-like, pus-filled lesions.
- Darkened skin/hyperpigmentation.
- Pain and itching.

What Causes Ingrown Hair?

Ingrown hairs are extremely common and are caused by curly or coarse hair curling back in on itself and embedding itself under the skin, allowing a buildup of dead skin where weak hair cannot push through. It can also occur when hair is removed incorrectly due to small shaving or waxing incidents. This is why you often see ingrown hairs in the bikini area, legs, and face.

Fortunately, laser hair removal was created to reduce the amount of hair that grows and prevent hair from curling back into the skin.

Can I Get Laser Hair Removal if I Currently Have Ingrown Hairs?

The best solution to get rid of ingrown hairs, other than waiting for them to go away on their own, is to seek out laser hair removal. By killing the hair at the root, you will slowly see less and less hairs growing back, reducing the amount of ingrown hairs growing under the skin. Eventually, you will never have to worry about ingrown hairs again.

Why it is Important to Remove Ingrown Hairs?

When ingrown hairs appear, they both look and feel bad. However, there can be bigger problems to worry about than having an unsightly bump in an area you just shaved – ingrown hairs can cause damage to the skin, especially if picked at. Ensuring your skin is healthy and taking measures to prevent ingrown hairs in the future means taking care of your health and looking great while doing it.

How Laser Hair Removal Stops Ingrown Hairs?

Ingrown hairs occur when a hair curls back or grows sideways into the skin, often resulting in red, irritated bumps. This condition is commonly associated with hair removal methods like shaving, plucking, or waxing, especially in areas with coarse or curly hair.

Laser hair removal offers a solution by targeting the hair follicles with light energy, effectively reducing or halting hair growth. By diminishing hair growth, laser hair removal addresses the root cause of ingrown hairs (pun intended).

Additionally, laser hair removal can be particularly beneficial for individuals whose ingrown hairs result from the natural characteristics of their hair, such as curliness or coarseness. By reducing or stopping hair growth, the likelihood of future ingrown hairs is decreased.

How to Prevent Ingrown Hairs?

Preventing ingrown hairs starts with choosing the right hair removal method and taking care of your skin. Here are some key steps to help reduce the chances of developing ingrown hairs:

1. Exfoliate Regularly

Keeping your skin smooth by gently exfoliating with a scrub, mitt, or chemical exfoliant (such as AHAs or BHAs) helps to remove dead skin cells that can trap hairs beneath the surface.

2. Moisturise Daily

Hydrated skin is more resilient and less prone to irritation. A good moisturiser will help keep the skin soft and allow hairs to grow through more easily.

3. Use the Right Hair Removal Technique

Shaving: Always use a sharp razor, shave in the direction of hair growth, and avoid pressing too hard. Using a shaving gel or foam will also help to reduce friction.
Waxing or Plucking: If you frequently get ingrown hairs, these methods might not be best for your skin. Consider alternatives like laser hair removal.

4. Consider Laser Hair Removal

Laser hair removal is one of the most effective ways to prevent ingrown hairs. By targeting the hair follicle and reducing hair growth, it eliminates the risk of hairs curling back into the skin. Over time, this means smoother, clearer skin without irritation.

5. Wear Loose Clothing After Hair Removal

Tight clothing can press hairs back into the skin, increasing the likelihood of ingrown hairs. Opt for loose, breathable fabrics, especially after shaving or waxing.

6. Avoid Picking at Ingrown Hairs

It can be tempting, but digging at an ingrown hair can cause more inflammation and even lead to scarring. Instead, gentle exfoliation and a warm compress can encourage the hair to surface naturally.

If you struggle with persistent ingrown hairs, laser hair removal may be the long-term solution to keeping your skin smooth and irritation-free.

How Do I Treat Ingrown Hairs?

If an ingrown hair appears, there are a few steps you can take to help it resolve quickly while keeping your skin calm and healthy.

1. Gently Exfoliate the Area

Regular exfoliation helps remove dead skin cells that may be trapping the hair beneath the surface. Use a mild exfoliating scrub, a soft brush, or a chemical exfoliant like salicylic acid to encourage the hair to come through naturally.

2. Apply a Warm Compress

Placing a warm, damp cloth over the area can soften the skin and help draw the hair to the surface. This can make it easier for the hair to break through naturally without the need for picking.

3. Use a Targeted Treatment

Certain skincare ingredients can help reduce inflammation and prevent infection. Look for products containing:

Salicylic acid or glycolic acid – to help exfoliate and clear blocked pores.
Tea tree oil or witch hazel – for their natural antibacterial and soothing properties.
Aloe vera – to calm irritation and redness.

4. Avoid Picking or Tweezing

It can be tempting to dig at the ingrown hair, but doing so can lead to scarring, infection, or further irritation. If the hair is visible just beneath the skin, a sterilised pair of tweezers can be used carefully, but avoid unnecessary force.

5. Keep the Skin Hydrated

Using a gentle, fragrance-free moisturiser will keep the skin soft and reduce irritation, helping to prevent further ingrown hairs from developing.

6. Reduce Friction

Wearing loose clothing, especially in areas prone to ingrown hairs (such as the bikini line or underarms), can prevent further irritation and allow the skin to heal properly.

7. Consider Laser Hair Removal for Long-Term Prevention

If ingrown hairs are a recurring issue, laser hair removal can be an excellent solution. By reducing hair growth at the root, laser treatments significantly lower the risk of ingrown hairs, leaving the skin smoother and clearer over time.

If an ingrown hair becomes painful, swollen, or infected, it’s best to seek advice from a professional to avoid complications.

Disclaimer: This blog is not to be used for diagnostic purposes. We are all unique which means that our results, recovery and suitability for any type of treatment will vary. Always seek the advice of a professional should you have any health or cosmetic concerns or to discuss treatments specifically for you.

Skin Care 10 Aug 2022