Ingrown Hair Treatment

Conveniently located to serve the areas of Pittsburgh, PA

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Laser treatment is an effective procedure for removing ingrown hair trapped beneath the skin. Ingrown hair is a common issue that can develop in any area where you remove hair regularly. Popular hair removal methods such as waxing and shaving can disrupt the way your hair grows, resulting in uncomfortable, embarrassing bumps. 

You do not need to let a bumpy bikini line ruin swimsuit season! At Beleza Plastic Surgery, we offer a simple and effective laser treatment for ingrown hair that will leave you feeling relieved. 

Contact our office in Pittsburgh to schedule an appointment and start the process of eliminating ingrown hair. 

About Ingrown Hair

Approximately 50% of women between the ages of 18 and 24 remove hair in intimate areas of the body.(1) Ingrown hair is caused by hair follicles that are unable to pierce through the skin as they grow. Hair removal methods can contribute to the development of ingrown hair, which is particularly common in areas where people shave or wax. The face, groin, ankles, and underarm areas are especially susceptible. You are more likely to develop ingrown hairs if you have thick, coarse, or curly hair that tends to coil back in on itself. If you are predisposed to developing stubborn ingrown hairs, this treatment can act as a form of preventive care. You can easily prevent the development of future ingrown hairs with laser hair treatments. 

One of the reasons why we love laser treatments at Beleza Plastic Surgery is that we can treat ingrown hair in a non-invasive way and prevent the risk of infection from untreated hair. If ingrown hairs are left untreated, the surrounding skin can become inflamed, and in some cases, eventually lead to scarring. Sometimes an ingrown hair will resolve on its own, but if you are suffering from ingrown hairs that do not go away, a laser treatment is an effective solution for eliminating them.

Benefits of Ingrown Hair Treatment

With ingrown hair treatments, you can return to your normal routine and feel more comfortable in your body. Benefits include:

  • Reduction of current ingrown hairs: Laser therapy targets and destroys the hair follicles responsible for ingrown hair, reducing inflammation and discomfort.
  • Prevention of future ingrown hairs: By targeting the hair follicles, laser treatments can prevent future ingrown hair from occurring.
  • Smoother, clearer skin: Laser hair reduction results in smoother, clearer skin by eliminating unwanted hair and reducing inflammation.
  • Increased confidence: Laser treatments can help you feel more confident in your appearance by providing long-lasting results.

Candidates for Ingrown Hair Treatment

Laser treatments for ingrown hair are suitable for individuals who suffer from frequent ingrown hairs that cause discomfort and irritation, and who have unwanted hair growth in areas prone to ingrown hairs, such as the face, neck, underarms, or bikini area. The best candidates for laser hair treatments have a high contrast between the tone of their hair and the tone of their skin. If you have light blonde hair and very light skin or a darker complexion and dark hair, Dr. Wooten and the trained medical professionals at Beleza may recommend another treatment. 

Personal Consultation

During your consultation, we will ask you about your goals for laser hair removal and the results you would like to achieve. We will discuss whether or not laser treatment is right for you based on your specific needs, skin tone, and hair quality. If laser treatments are a good fit for you, we will develop a customized treatment plan tailored to your desired outcomes. You will have the opportunity to ask any questions you may have and gain a clear understanding of the procedure before making an informed decision.

Preparation

To prepare for your ingrown hair treatment, you will need to take a few steps to prepare yourself:

  • Discuss any medicines you are taking during your consultation to ensure it’s safe to continue taking them before and after your treatment.
  • Sstop using self-tanning products about 2 weeks prior to treatments.
  • A, avoid exposure to sunlight and other forms of UV light (like tanning beds) for 4-6 weeks prior to treatments.
  • S, and stop other hair removal methods prior to treatment.
    • for approximately Stop waxing/epilation 4-6 weeks before your treatment for the best results. 
    • Stop shaving about 1-2 days prior to treatment; a hint of stubble is the perfect amount of hair growth for laser treatments to be maximally effective.

Discuss any medicines you are taking during your consultation to ensure it’s safe to continue taking them before and after your treatment.

Ingrown Hair Treatment Procedure

When you arrive at the office for your appointment, wear clothing that you can easily remove so we can treat the area. Do not wear tight clothes that will rub against the area or cause irritation to your skin after your treatment. Ingrown hair treatment with laser hair removal is a simple process. You will need to shave the area no more than 24-48 hours before you receive treatment. When you arrive at the office, we may provide protective glasses before we apply the laser to your skin to treat ingrown hair. If receiving laser hair removal treatment on facial areas, protective metal eye shields or goggles may be given. Beleza’s safe and effective The laser will stop the follicles from producing more hair while leaving the surrounding skin unharmed.

Recovery from Ingrown Hair Treatment

Although laser hair treatment is an effective hair removal method, you will need more than one treatment to reduce hair growth depending on the texture and color of your hair. If you experience redness or warmth on the skin after your treatment, you can use a cold compress and to minimize discomfort. 

You must limit sun exposure and any form of UV radiation and use sunscreen for approximately one month after your treatment. Laser hair removal makes skin more sensitive to light and increases your risk of hyperpigmentation from sun exposure. Therefore, our office recommends not tanning in the sun or in a tanning bed 4-6 weeks before and after every laser treatment. Be wary of reflective light during cold conditions or unusual conditions as well. White landscapes of snow are powerful sources of UVA/UVB radiation, as are large bodies of water. Active patients who ski, garden, or boat are advised to wear a physical sunscreen with a strong SPF of at least 50. Physical sunscreens block the sun’s rays with a mineral block, rather than a chemical one, so they offer a higher level of protection. 

To limit risk of hyperpigmentation following laser hair removal, patients are recommended to:

  • Use SPF daily
  • Wear goggles, hats and protective clothing with UVA/UVB protection woven in
  • Schedule treatments during seasons when they are less likely to be exposed to the sun’s rays.

Results

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After an ingrown hair treatment, you can get back to loving your skin and enjoying a smooth hair-free body. Treating ingrown hairs means you can wear the clothes you love without worrying about chafing. You will reduce the risk of inflammation in areas where you recently shaved. In approximately six months, you will see a 60-80% reduction in hair growth. (2) After your treatment series is complete, you will not see new hair growth for several months. Some patients do not experience hair growth for several years after treatment.

Corresponding Procedures 

At our medispa, we offer several corresponding procedures that are the perfect addition to an ingrown hair laser treatment. If you have acne scars, acne that is not healing, or stretch marks, we can help you address these conditions during your appointment. 

Acne Scar Laser Treatment

With an acne scar laser treatment, we can help you reduce long-term acne scars. Acne takes a toll on the skin and can leave behind scars that affect our self-esteem and can be difficult to cover with makeup or treat with creams. If you are looking for a noninvasive way to treat acne scars, then a laser treatment will help you achieve your goals.

Laser Acne Treatments

If you are currently experiencing acne and are not sure about how to treat it, then laser acne treatment could be the solution. After 7-10 days, you will see an improvement in the appearance of your acne, and professional treatments can reduce the risk of developing acne scars in the future.

Fractional Laser Resurfacing

Fractional skin resurfacing reduces the appearance of stretch marks and hyperpigmentation. During the procedure, we will use ResurFX technology to treat areas where you are experiencing discoloration without affecting the skin surrounding the area. This is a gentle, non-ablative laser, meaning it will not remove layers of your skin. If you are thinking about ingrown hair treatments and have stretch marks or hyperpigmentation that you would like to treat, our office can help you with our stretch marks treatment. For more about our corresponding treatments, see our blog

Cost of Laser Hair Removal in Pittsburgh

The cost of your procedure will depend on the size of the area you would like to treat and the type of treatment you need. Our office offers financing that can help you with the cost of the procedure. 

Smooth a bumpy bikini line at Beleza Medi-spa. Contact our office to get started and achieve the soft, beautiful skin you have always wanted. 

FAQ

How do I know if I have ingrown hair?

You may have ingrown hair if you see a small acne-like bump that does not go away for several days, or even weeks. These are common in areas where you usually shave or remove hair, like pubic areas or underarms..

Will an ingrown hair go away on its own?

Sometimes ingrown hairs will resolve naturally as the hair grows through the skin. However, this is not always the case. Sometimes ingrown hairs can be painful or lead to infection, and even scarring..

Can ingrown hair come back after it is treated?

Sometimes ingrown hairs can come back. If you have a particular area where you often experience ingrown hair, please mention this during your consultation so we can help you address it. For the vast majority of our patients, significant improvement with ingrown hairs is noticeable within a few treatments, and recurrence of ingrown hairs following the completion of a treatment series would be rare.

Are laser treatments for ingrown hair painful?

Laser treatments for ingrown hair are generally well-tolerated by most patients. During the procedure, you may experience a sensation similar to the snapping of a rubber band against the skin. However, any discomfort is usually minimal and temporary.

References

  1. DeMaria AL, Flores M, Hirth JM, Berenson AB. Complications related to pubic hair removal. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2014;210(6):528.e1-528.e5. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajog.2014.01.036 
  2. Ghnnam W, Hafez D. Laser hair removal as adjunct to surgery for pilonidal sinus: Our initial experience. Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery. 2011;4(3):192. doi:https://doi.org/10.4103/0974-2077.91251