Natural Skin Care Products | Clinical Skincare

Ingrown Hair / Foliculitis

Folliculitis is an infection and irritation of the hair follicle caused by the bacteria Staphylococcus. It can occur on any part of the body but it especially dominant on areas on contact with prolonged friction, such as the nape of the neck where the collar sits. Often folliculitis develops because you have damaged your hair follicles. Sometimes your follicles can become blocked by wearing too tight clothing, shaving, using the wrong kind of make-up [one that clogs] or even sweat. It may be superficial or deep, and it causes the formation of a pustule or inflammatory nodule surrounding the hair. The infected hairs may be easily removed.

Sometimes folliculitis is caused by the bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa often found in new hot tubs or community swimming pools. The folliculitis usually occurs after spending a prolonged period of time in a hot tub or swimming pool that was not properly cleaned before use. Symptoms are typically amplified around regions that were covered by wet clothing, such as bathing suits.

Symptoms include rash, pimples or pustules around the hair follicule that may also crust over, itching, tingling skin. Ingrown hairs can be caused from dehydrated skin, excess oil embedded in follicles, a build-up of dead skin cells in the pores and on the surface of the skin.

Hair removal methods such as shaving, waxing, tweezing, electrolysis, often irritate the hair follicle. Dead cells can accumulate at the site of the irritation and form papule which can also contain pus while the skin heals. While this process continues any hair in the area can get trapped under the formation and is prevented from exiting the skin properly. Thus, we have an Ingrown hair.

Regular exfoliation is absolutely essential with a loofah after waxing or shaving. This way you off remove the thin layer of skin that's trapping the ingrown hairs, allowing them to grow unhindered. It must be kept in mind that exfoliating too much will dry out your skin and leave it sensitive and susceptible to ingrown hairs.