Page 53 - (DK) Home Doctor: Providing practical advice on home treatments

COMMON CONDITIONS: SKIN, HAIR, AND NAIL PROBLEMS 51

Unwanted or ingrown hair

Excessive hair growth (hirsutism) can affect both sexes, but is usually only a problem for women. Some
women are naturally more hairy than others and may have unwanted hair on their face, and hair growing
thickly on their arms, pubic area, abdomen, and thighs. Excessive hair growth can also occur during pregnancy
and after menopause. More rarely, it is due to an underlying illness or a drug. Ingrown hairs are often
caused by hair-removal methods; as the hair grows again, it curls back into the skin, causing inflammation.

See your doctor first
DRUG REMEDIES
Make an appointment to see your doctor if:
● You have noticed a recent increase in Hair bleaches (see p.183) lighten facial hair
and make it less noticeable against fair skin, but
facial or body hair, and/or you have other
symptoms such as irregular or absent periods, they are not as suitable for darker skins.
deepening of the voice, and weight increase Hair-removal products (see p.184)
● You think that the hair growth may be due include fast-acting creams and mousses that dissolve
to a prescribed medication hair roots. Waxes and sugars pull out hair. Test
products on a small area first in case of a reaction.

What you can do yourself
PRACTICAL TECHNIQUE
If you are concerned about excess hair, try the
following cosmetic measures.
Waxing Before waxing or sugaring, hairs need
1
● Use a hair-bleaching cream to lighten hair to be at least ⁄4 in (5 mm) long and your skin clean,
on your face (see DRUG REMEDIES, right). dry, and free of creams and oils. Be careful if you
have to heat the wax; very hot wax can burn the skin.
● Pluck with tweezers to remove stray hairs under
Apply a thin layer
your nose and on your chin.
of wax or sugar
● Shaving is better for larger areas such as the legs. 1 paste on a small
You can use an electric shaver or wet razor, which section of the area
gives a closer shave. You will need to shave daily to be treated, in
the direction of
to avoid stubble. Shaving does not cause hair to grow hair growth.
back more thickly. Alternatively, use a hair removal
product (see DRUG REMEDIES, right).
● Waxing or sugaring is effective (see PRACTICAL Place a fabric strip
TECHNIQUE, right) because hairs are pulled out at over the area and
2 smooth it down.
the root, and take up to 4 weeks to grow back.
Holding the skin taut,
However, if you find waxing difficult, consult a
pull off the strip
beauty therapist.
against the direction
● Ingrown hairs usually dislodge themselves if of hair growth in one
you let them grow out. If not, try to lift out the end swift movement.
of the hair with a needle that has been sterilized Continue until all the unwanted hair is
under a flame, or dissolve the hair with removed, going back over areas of stubborn
a hair removal product (see DRUG REMEDIES, right). 3 hairs. Apply an unperfumed moisturizing
Don’t shave until any inflammation has gone. cream afterward. Avoid bathing or swimming
until any redness has disappeared.