Ingrown Hair
With the popularity of hair removal there is an increased problem of ingrown hair.
This is most often caused with people who use shaving as their preferred method of hair removal. With shaving the hair can curl back under the skin. With the hair becoming trapped it creates an inflammation and red bumps on the surface of the skin.
While the general intention of hair removal is to create a smooth surface, the opposite is often the case with a shaven area appearing quite spotty. Shaving creates a blunt end on the hair follicle and when this tries to push back through the skin it is met with resistance.
This resistance to push through the skin creates the red bumps. Shaving against the grain of the hair increases the incidence of this happening. Alternatively by shaving with the grain of the hair you reduce the chance of shaver rash but you’re also unlikely to get such a clean-shaven area.
Exfoliating on a regular basis will help reduce the chance of getting ingrown hairs. If you’re prone to getting ingrown hairs then you might need to look at alternative methods of hair removal such as depilatory creams or even laser treatment.
Some people find that they can reduce the incidence of ingrown hairs by shaving in several directions over the one surface to ensure that the ends of the hair aren’t blunt and when they do grow back they have less problem coming through the surface of the skin.
When shaving in the areas around the bikini line, sometimes the problem of irritation can be made worse by the fact that clothing will be rubbing on that area throughout the day.
If it is at all possible to wear loose clothing and apply body cream to the area after shaving you might find that this will be sufficient to reduce any inflammation that might occur.
Exfoliating & Opening Up The Skin Pores
One of the most important things you can do with your skin on a daily basis is to exfoliate with soap and cleansers to get rid of the dead skin and the dirt and grime that you’ve picked up during the day.
In addition to cleaning the skin, exfoliating stimulates the blood flow to the skin and in doing so gets rid of any toxins and waste that is trapped in the pores of the skin.
It is a dead skin and the dirt that blocks the pores causing many different types of skin problems from acne to ingrown hairs. Exfoliating leaves your skin looking healthier and your complexion more vibrant as the dead skin is removed from the surface.
Often people who believe they have dry skin don’t realize that the cause of this is due to not sufficiently exfoliating the dead matter. Most women will exfoliate their face but is just as important to exfoliate the whole body and help the body to maintain a youthful appearance.
There are many different things that can be used for exfoliating, from a simple washcloth, to exfoliating soaps and body scrubs. If you are using items such as loofahs and sea sponges then be aware that some people who have sensitive skin can develop a rash if these products are too harsh.
Also when using loofahs and sea sponges be sure to clean them out thoroughly after use as they will trap the dirt and old skin cells.
After using them for a few times it is wise to discard them.
Dry brushing is however the most effective method of exfoliating the skin. The reason more people don’t use dry brushing is because it takes a bit longer and it is less convenient than giving your body a rubdown with a loofah or body sponge in the shower.
A great method to open up your skin pores & stimulate your nerve fibers is to slap or hit all over your body especially under your armpits, behind your elbows, behind your knees, the bottom of your feet, your kidney areas and on your thymus gland (upper chest). This is a great excercise to do every morning after you wake up.
