Ingrown hairs on the legs are a side effect of many popular hair removal methods today. What causes their appearance? And is it possible to combat this problem?
The fact is that all existing methods of depilation (no matter whether it is cream or wax, perhaps shaving or sugaring, electric depilatory) ensure the removal of only the superficial part of the hair, while maintaining a completely intact hair follicle. And since after depilation there is a roughening of the surface of the skin, the newly growing hair is not able to break through the hardened layer. This leads to their bending inside the follicle, after which they simply grow under the skin. This is why leg hair sometimes grows ingrown.
What's wrong with ingrown hairs? First of all, you should take into account the aesthetic criterion: they look like black dots formed under the skin. It looks unaesthetic, especially if we talk about those with light and thin skin.
Along with this, there are other nuances that you have to deal with when you have such a problem. Thus, itching, redness and inflammation of the skin cannot be ruled out.
Moreover, when you try to remove them yourself, the inflammatory process only worsens: some kind of infection can easily penetrate into the wounds remaining after removal, which will lead to suppuration.
In some cases, pigment spots appear on the legs due to ingrown hairs. Such spots, as a rule, do not go away for several months.
What can you do with them? Several methods of this kind of struggle can be named. First of all, let's note this method:
However, it is necessary to understand that this method only works on hairs located just below the surface of the skin. If they are deeply rooted, then you won’t be able to get them out this way - it will only open the wound, and the inflammation will intensify.
Attention! Picking them out or, especially, squeezing them out like pimples is not recommended.
There is another method. If ingrown hairs are detected, first of all, you should change the depilation method you are using. Let's say, instead of an electric depilator, start using wax. This manipulation can help. However, when changing the depilation method, a short break is necessary. Depilation is not recommended until the inflammation subsides. In addition, when resuming depilation, it should be carried out in the direction of hair growth. And although this depilation technology takes more time, it ensures a gradual weakening of the inflammatory process.
There is also another good method to prevent ingrowth. We are talking about regular exfoliation of the skin by using a scrub, a special glove or a harder washcloth. Why does this help? The fact is that in this way the stratum corneum is removed from the skin, and ingrown hairs gradually approach the surface, which allows them to be removed after some time. In addition, regular cleansing of the skin helps prevent hair from growing in the future. It is important to complete each peeling procedure by applying a moisturizing lotion or cream to the skin.
Finally, if there is no result from all of the listed procedures, it is recommended to contact a cosmetologist. He will be able to advise you on how to deal with ingrown hair on your legs. True, all this will happen within the beauty salon.
The best option is to prevent ingrowth, for which you must follow certain rules.
Just a few simple recommendations can prevent their occurrence. So:
Thus, it is important not only to know how to get rid of the problem, but it is advisable to prevent its occurrence, for which you just need to follow certain recommendations. And then each depilation procedure will be effective and problem-free.
Manicure and pedicure are important procedures with which you can not only maintain the beauty of your nails, but also maintain their health. And if almost everyone takes care of their hands, many simply forget about their feet. However, you should understand that they also need to be monitored. This article will discuss how to properly trim your toenails.
The nail plates on the hands and feet have several differences from each other. These should be considered in more detail:
And before you figure out how to trim your toenails correctly, it’s worth remembering all the features described above, since they require the use of special tools and products.
On the feet, the nail plates should be trimmed as they grow. You cannot cut them at the root. Otherwise, the question will subsequently arise about how to properly trim an ingrown toenail. The optimal cutting length is 1-2 mm of the light nail plate. Subsequently, you need to stick to it, doing a pedicure every 2 weeks.
Sometimes the growth rate may differ from normal rates. In such a situation, determining the timing of care must be approached individually. Some may only need it once a month.
So, how to trim your toenails correctly? First you need to purchase all the necessary tools:
It is also necessary to purchase pumice and cosmetics to treat the skin and plates.
Before starting the procedure, you should prepare your feet. First of all, you need to steam them in warm water with special oils and cosmetics. This procedure helps to moisturize the skin and simplify the treatment of nails. The process will be painless.
Before you start, you need to disinfect your feet. When figuring out how to properly trim your toenails, remember to be sure to get rid of any dirt using a rough brush. After this, it is recommended to treat the feet with any disinfectant.
When trimming your nails, try not to get close to the pink part. We need to leave a small reserve. You should not give your nails a rounded shape using scissors or clippers, as this is dangerous. Therefore, it is recommended to cut the nail plates at a right angle, which should then be filed down.
How to properly care for your nails if they curl? In such a situation, you should not cut them off, but constantly shorten them using a file. After some time, you will notice that the nail plates are straightening. Surely, not many people know how to cut their toenails correctly to avoid ingrown nails. To do this, you simply should not give the plates a square shape, regularly processing sharp corners.
In most cases, taking care of children's feet causes negative emotions. Very young children are especially often capricious. To avoid such situations, it is worth resorting to some recommendations. Thanks to them, the care procedure will be simplified:
How to properly trim a big toenail if it is ingrown? There are several stages that will determine exactly how to carry out the care procedure. At the first stage, redness and significant discomfort when touched appear. In this situation, care can be carried out independently at home. First of all, the foot must be steamed to soften the nail plate. Then, by carefully prying it off, you can shorten the nail. Subsequently, in order to prevent such a situation, you need to take care of your nails more carefully and more often, avoiding severe shortening.
When observing the 2nd or 3rd stage (inflammation, the appearance of pus, etc.), it is best to seek help from an experienced surgeon, since independent actions will lead to even greater troubles.
Let us repeat once again how to trim your toenails correctly. To begin with, you should know that care must be correct and constant. Then the procedure will become easy and pleasant. It is also worth using special products: a variety of creams, oils, masks and balms.
Pedicure, like manicure, also involves the use of nail coatings. Thanks to high-quality varnish, you will be able to avoid cracks and chips on the nail plates. It is necessary to take a responsible approach to choosing shoes so that they are not tight and uncomfortable.
With regular and proper pedicures, you can keep your nails healthy and look beautiful. It is not recommended to save on purchasing quality tools and cosmetics. Then problems with ingrowth will not torment you.
Ingrown toenail, symptoms, treatment, prevention
It just seems like ingrown toenails are not a serious problem. But in fact, people who are faced with such a disaster know how much inconvenience and pain it causes.
It would seem that such a small thing is the edge of a nail, however, the body perceives it as a foreign body and tries to get rid of it.
Therefore, suppuration occurs at the site where the nail grows into the skin. As a result, we get constant, sometimes aching, sometimes throbbing pain. And if no measures are taken, you can get phlegmon (acute purulent inflammation), which can develop into gangrene and even end in amputation. Ingrown toenails are especially dangerous if you have diabetes.
Having assessed the seriousness of the current situation, it is important to understand the reasons for the nail growing into the skin of the finger.
Ingrown nails into the skin have their own medical name – onychocryptosis. Essentially, the process of the edge of the nail growing into the nail bed occurs. The reasons for this phenomenon may be:
Thus, hereditary predisposition is caused by the genetically inherent characteristics of the direction of growth of the nail itself, congenital flat feet (transverse or longitudinal), and curvature of the big toe.
The action of a fungal infection makes the nail plate rough and thick, has a destructive effect on the nail fold (cuticle), provoking the development of suppuration.
Injuring the leg as a result of a bruise, cut, frostbite, etc. You can unwittingly provoke abnormal growth of toenails.
The most common cause of ingrown toenails is improper trimming. So the wrong methods of circumcision include:
The wrong shoes are pointed, narrow shoes. This is especially important for people whose professional activities involve long walking or long standing, especially in not very uncomfortable shoes. In this case, the edge of the nail constantly puts pressure on the nail bed, which often leads to the edge of the nail growing into the skin.
The tips of human fingers have increased sensitivity, since many nerve endings are located in the tissues. Therefore, an ingrown toenail will make itself felt by a sharp pain, which will intensify when walking in tight shoes.
Sometimes, a person with an ingrown toenail even begins to limp. In advanced cases, an ingrown toenail bothers you not only when walking, but even at night, when the slightest touch causes you to instantly wake up from acute pain. This is due to the fact that the edge of the nail growing into the soft tissue provokes not only the development of suppuration, but also the growth of granulation tissue, which is popularly called “wild meat”. Thus, the pressure of the nail on the tissue only increases.
As a result of the progressive inflammatory process, the nail loses its natural shine, begins to peel off and becomes thicker at the edges.
If you find yourself with an ingrown toenail problem, try to get rid of it in a timely manner so that there is no need to resort to surgical intervention.
Often, following simple rules gives excellent results and the problem disappears. To do this, you need, firstly, to observe the rules of personal hygiene and wash your feet twice a day using detergents. You may need to change socks or tights during the day to keep your feet dry. Also, while treating an ingrown toenail, you should avoid wearing heels, as this puts additional pressure on your toes. You will also have to give up narrow shoes.
Some home treatments will be quite painful, but necessary. After a warm foot bath, you should try to lift the ingrown edge of the nail and place a small rolled piece of cotton wool or gauze under it. A raised nail will not grow into the skin. You need to change the cotton (gauze) swab daily, trying to move it a little deeper each time. After one or two weeks of such procedures, you will be able to get rid of the problem of ingrown nails.
If you cannot immediately lift the edge of the nail, then begin to soften it. To do this, apply oil compresses (made from regular butter) to the sore spot for three days, which will make the nail softer and more pliable.
Along with lifting the edge of the nail, when severe pain disappears, you need to make a depression - a groove in the middle of the nail using a nail file or file. This depression is made so that the nail begins to grow together towards the middle, without digging the edge into the nail bed. When the situation returns to normal, you should remember to trim the nail correctly (without cutting off the corners).
It is very important to know that during purulent processes you should not take hot baths or apply warm compresses, this can worsen the situation. If the pain is severe, you can take painkillers (such as ibuprofen). However, if improvement does not occur within three days, you should definitely consult a doctor.
Foot baths can be prepared with the addition of salt, chamomile infusion, or potassium permanganate solution. Traditional methods of treatment also suggest using kombucha or aloe pulp.
At the initial stage, when it has not become an acute infection, treatment for an ingrown toenail will be conservative. This means the same baths, comfortable shoes and hygiene procedures. Also, along with a cotton swab, doctors recommend using special splints that protect the skin from the sharp corner of the nail; these can be rubber tubes, plastic strips, or resin-based substances.
In some cases, the doctor bends or cuts the nail in the middle, thereby changing its shape. Hard plastic may also be glued to the nail to help it grow straighter. Overgrown tissue (“wild meat”) is usually removed to speed up the healing process.
If it becomes an infection, surgical removal of the edge of the nail (or the entire nail plate) and removal of pus may be required. Surgery occurs only in a hospital setting.
There are several surgical treatment options for ingrown toenails.
When surgically removing a nail, it is either completely removed or marginal resection (partial removal of the ingrown part of the nail). The entire procedure is performed under general anesthesia or local anesthesia.
Ingrown nails can also be removed using a laser or radio wave procedure. These procedures help to remove only the ingrown part of the nail (or overgrown tissue), as well as to treat the nail matrix without affecting nearby tissue. This operation does not require stitches.
Whatever method of treatment for ingrown toenails you choose, to get rid of the problem, as well as to prevent it, you must follow the mandatory rules.
Firstly, refuse narrow and tight shoes, especially since modern fashion allows you to choose both beautiful and comfortable models.
When cutting your nails, cut them not too short and without rounding the edges, in a straight line. Pay special attention to the nails on your big toes.
An excellent preventive measure is walking barefoot. therefore, in the warm season, do not deny yourself the pleasure of walking barefoot on the grass or coastal sand. Moreover, foot massage is a very useful procedure for the overall health of the body.
The appearance of an ingrown toenail often leads to serious illness. What to do if you have such a problem? Don't panic! Nowadays, not only a surgeon, but also a manicurist helps to cope with this problem.
Among health problems, there are many that are not taken seriously by people. One of them is the problem of ingrown toenails. But from a minor inconvenience, an ingrown toenail can develop into a serious disease, which also brings unbearable pain.
Solving this problem on your own is unsafe - you can cause even more harm, for example, by introducing an infection. What to do if you have such a problem? Go to the hospital? But the treatment there is carried out surgically, and there is no guarantee that the nail will not grow back. It turns out that you don’t have to go to a surgeon, you can go... to a beauty salon.
To learn more about the causes of ingrown nails and methods of treatment, I went to the beauty and health salon “Design Face” , where I turned to Marina Anatolyevna Gubina, a master of manicure and pedicure.
— An ingrown nail is a curvature of the nail plate such that it cuts into the periungual fold. An ingrown toenail can cause inflammation, which can also affect the bones.
— It is impossible to say unequivocally that there is a specific reason. In each specific case, it is clear what exactly caused the ingrowth. The reasons may be different:
People often prepare fertile ground for ingrown nails themselves. Many people cut their nails “at the root,” as if to prevent dirt from accumulating under them, or to avoid tearing socks or tights. Parents especially often cut their children's nails. It even happened that a person suffered from this problem, but at the same time was absolutely sure that it was a “family issue.” It turns out that someone in the family, for example, a grandmother, had ingrown nails, she fought as best she could - she cut off the corners. And when my grandmother had children, she already knew that nails could grow ingrown and tried to “prevent” the occurrence of this problem by cutting off the corners of their nails. The children grew up and began to carry out the same procedure on their own children. This is how “heredity” came about.
— Is it possible to somehow prevent this unpleasant phenomenon?
— Not always, but prevention is necessary. It involves cutting your nails correctly. They need to be cut not too short, so that at least 1-2 millimeters of the nail remain. Secondly, under no circumstances should you cut off the corners. The further you trim them, the greater the likelihood of ingrowns. If sharp corners remain after trimming, you can round them a little. In general, cutting nails, especially toenails, is not recommended. Scissors are usually straight, and even if they are bent, their bend may not correspond to the natural curve of the nail. This leads to the fact that the nail may simply burst, and it is easier to trim the corners with scissors. It is better to treat your nails with a nail file, at least on the thumb and the one next to it, because these are the fingers that are most susceptible to ingrown nails. And the rest of the nails can be cut.
— How is an ingrown toenail treated? Who should I contact if a problem has already arisen?
— It depends on the degree of neglect. If there is already a threat of spreading to the joint, then only a surgeon can help. But surgeons perform an operation during which the nail is often completely removed. And it turns out that only the consequences are removed, not the causes. After surgery, the nail will most likely grow back.
We do not allow the nail to grow incorrectly. If the nail is severely cut, it can be extended in the right direction. If the nail has already grown in, then it needs to be straightened. There is technology that allows you to prevent ingrown nails. A special holding plate is placed on the nail, which guides it or lifts it above the roller. But in this case, it is necessary to come for an appointment regularly, because this plate requires constant monitoring by a specialist.
— Is it possible to somehow deal with an ingrown toenail at home?
- I do not advise. The nail needs to be steamed, but at home this is extremely difficult. And if something else has to be cut, then home processing may leave burrs, which can only worsen the situation.
— Usually, toenails grow ingrown. Does this happen to hands?
- Of course, it happens, again due to improper care or poor structure of the periungual fold. It’s just that your feet are more often in an environment conducive to the occurrence of this problem.
By the way, I should note that many procedures aimed at combating ingrown toenails are painful. So it’s easier to listen to the advice of a specialist and properly care for your nails than to endure pain and inconvenience later.
Our nails are an organ that, like the eyes, can tell a lot about the state of health and, importantly, about a person’s attitude towards himself. You need to be more attentive to your hands and feet, because what at first seems like a trifle, as often happens with an ingrown toenail, can incapacitate a person for a long time.
Our well-being is made up of many factors. In particular, how well we take care of our body plays a significant role. It would seem that there is nothing simpler than caring for your nails. However, even in this seemingly simple activity, certain difficulties may await us. We are not talking about split nails, but about a much more serious problem, which sometimes even requires surgical treatment: ingrown nails.
Those who know about this first-hand have an idea of how much pain and suffering falls to the lot of those who are faced with this phenomenon. In this article we will talk about the reasons for ingrown nails, and also focus on ways to solve this problem.
An ingrown nail is a phenomenon that results from a change in the direction of growth of the nail plate and its deepening into the nail fold. The big toe is most often affected. This phenomenon is accompanied by acute pain, which tends to intensify when walking and pressing on the sore finger.
Often, redness, swelling, and sometimes panaritium (acute purulent inflammation) can be observed near the ingrown nail. No one is immune from ingrowth; all ages are susceptible to it.
Most often, ingrowth appears for the following reasons:
In the vast majority of cases, ingrown toenails are the result of improper nail trimming and wearing shoes with tight, narrow toes.
So, the diagnosis has been made - you have an ingrown toenail. What can you do to get rid of excruciating pain? There are three main ways to solve this problem:
If the ingrowth is mild or moderate and there is no purulent inflammation or fungal infection, you can help yourself. To correct the nail plate at home, you can use a small bandage roller.
Disinfect the nail, remove the ingrown corner with scissors, leaving the tip of the side part. Place a disinfected roller under the side. The roller should be changed regularly, morning and evening. You will have to walk around with it for several weeks until the growth of the nail plate corrects itself. The roller will not allow the nail to injure soft tissues, and, therefore, you will not experience pain.
Don't think that the ingrowth will never come back. To minimize the risk of ingrown toenails, trim your nails properly and avoid tight shoes.