The idea is to exfoliate the skin so that the hair has more opportunity to break through before curling backward, or release it after already doing so. Just like when exfoliating for any other reason, you have the choice between a chemical method or physical. Either way you can also use a cortisone cream to relieve some of the redness and irritation. Treatment should be done at least 3 days after hair removal; otherwise you’ll have some serious road rash

For a hard-core case you may go to the dermatologist and get a script for some Retin-A cream. An over the counter chemical option is Alpha Hydroxy Acid. That’s what’s found in the expensive Bliss brand eliminating pads, however just check around for some products, maybe even some “anti-aging” ones, for the same ingredient. Tend Skin relies on good old alcohol and aspirin. A good cheap option? Physically exfoliate with aspirin bought powdered or crushed up (mix it with some warm water of course) after leaving it on for a few minutes. Why you may ask? Well, aspirin has salicylic acid! Fascinating, no? You can also get a salicylic acid product, or ask for it straight up from your pharmacist. Then you can follow up with an alcohol-based astringent or witch hazel if you’re really not messing around. An alcohol-free one like Burts Bees is good if you’re going for a more sensitive route.

Some more physical exfoliators: a scrub like St. Ives Apricot Scrub, a warm wash cloth, sugar and honey…. Whatever suites you and what you can take. Because remember, too much irritation makes everything worse. You can start slow and build your way up, especially if you’re going for the cheap options.

The #1 exfoliator for ingrowns? A good fingernail scratching. It has to be dry and ready to crisp (astringent helps), but when you scratch that bugger and *boing* it pops out… that’s satisfaction.

A few extra tips:

-Tweezing makes it worse! However, if you’ve had your ingrowns for a long time they may need to be tweezed out in order to have any hope of leaving your body. Just be sure to keep it clean and leave it alone after.

-Electronic home hair removal devices are known for causing more ingrown problems.

-Switch out razors frequently.

-If waxing doesn’t work for you, it just doesn’t work. Move on.

I live in South Florida, and while not having a winter can be pretty cool sometimes (or warm that is) I’m not sure the skin damage combined with the acne from the humidity is worth it.  Once a being of fair and radiant porcelain skin many would wonder at, I am now one of the derma-suffering. Friends and strangers try to help.

“I heard swimming helps. The chorine really dries you out.”

“What are you eating? Stay off the milk and cheese.” 

“Are you drinking enough water?”

They mean well. And I’m sure that there are some things that can really help, but once you’ve ruled out diet and exercise, it’s time to take a look at better products.

First I was using salicylic acid, which in all my research gets great review. I have to say that it will reduce the size of pores and refine skin minimally. This was with strongest dose of 2%. The product, Neutrogena’s ‘Fight and Fade’ boasted that it would also reduce scaring and damage. Again, not so much. I think for someone with very minimal problems like blackheads or enlarged pores this is a good product.

To work it out, I went to the dermatologist today. He quickly provided me with a prescription of a low dose of Retin-A. This is a better route for both skin damage and acne because unlike salicylic acid it peels the skin and helps the skin produce brand new, healthy cells. Salicylic acid is only a drying agent. Because of this, it can also be a wrinkle aid, as in aids in creating more wrinkles. So really a better product for the teens.

I’m not entirely convinced the doctor isn’t part of a greater Retin-A conspiracy, though. When I went to fill the script, the pharmacy informed me that he wrote ‘medically necessary’ for me to have the name brand instead of the generic. Generic=$10 copay Name=$60 copay …… What exactly is this medical necessity? Does each ‘medically necessary’ script score lobster tail and a randy girl?  How would I find that out? 

He also suggested using Dove *BAR* soap and Cetaphil moisterizer with spf.

For now I’m going to try the Retin-A. I’ll update in a month with progress. Here’s my ‘before’ pic. It doesn’t look like much, I know, but it’s terrorizing I swear, especially for a makeup artist!