It''''s a embarrassing question...

[sasa]

Any member here have ingrown hair problem? any advice on how to prevent ingrown hair.

Thanks!

 

[Blue824]

Yep. I hate it. I dread summers.

My spa recommended using Tend Skin after shaving or whatever hair removal. It hasn''t helped with the ingrown hairs really, because I still get them. Maybe it is minimized?

Ultimately my solution??? Starting laser hair removal on my legs this September. Oddly enough I was just going to post to see if anyone had done that yet and liked it. I can''t wait. I''d be in the process right now but they woudnt start at the end of Aprile (when I finally saved up the money) because of summer sun exposure.

 

[ammayernyc]

The best product I''ve found is by Bliss... called Ingrown Hair Pads. It''s expensive however. You can buy it online at http://www.blissspa.com or http://www.sephora.com. You can also buy TendSkin. Both work well. The first one, I''ve found, is better.

It''s basically exfloiation. You can rub the area with a rough washcloth too, but these products have always worked better for me. You can also apply acne medicine with salitic acid after you exfoliate.

 

[moremoremore]

$35.00

I bet that product does work because the 2 main ingredients are salicylic (Damn, my spelling) 2% and 6% glycolic acid. However, you''re getting ripped off!!!

10% Glycolic acid is in the Alpha Hydroxy big bottle which is actually 1/2 off at Rite Aid for $6.00 and 2% sal acid is like $3.00 with a generic brand. Go get yourself some! Glycolic acid is my new BFF forever and it''s good for just about everything!

 

[ammayernyc]

Date: 6/27/2005 4:52:25 PM
Author: moremoremore
$35.00

I bet that product does work because the 2 main ingredients are salicylic (Damn, my spelling) 2% and 6% glycolic acid. However, you''re getting ripped off!!!

10% Glycolic acid is in the Alpha Hydroxy big bottle which is actually 1/2 off at Rite Aid for $6.00 and 2% sal acid is like $3.00 with a generic brand. Go get yourself some! Glycolic acid is my new BFF forever and it''s good for just about everything!

So, if I just buy glycolic acid at a drug store, it''s the same as that expensive stuff I get?

 

[moremoremore]

Heck ya. That has a 6% solution....Reg Ol Alpha Hydroxy brand "Enhanced Lotion" has 10% and you can get up to 20% over the counter I believe. I'm looking into that right now. And the salicylic acid is 2% in a Clean and Clear brand for like 3 bucks. Then there is even 6% in keralyt which I just ordered online to help me with my nasty rough arms... Someone suggested combining wart remover LOL which is 17% sal acid and some cream called Carmol to make an exfoliating and moisturizing lotion but I didn't want to take the hood off of my car LOL. Same principle works for ingrowns...keep the surface of the skin clear and unblocked! I have been moisturizing my entire hot bod LOL with the glycolic for a few weeks and I'm as smooth as a baby's bottom except for my f'ing arms!!!

 

[curlygirl]

MMM, thanks for that advice! I was using TendSkin for a while but that became pricey. Now I just use the loofah in the shower which still doesn''t help that much, but I''m going to try some of that glycolic acid! Any other tips?!

 

[moremoremore]

Just start slow with the glycolic! Some people have sensitive skin...mine is like Rhino leather LOL
Or instead, the salicylic acid...but if you're going to combine, stick to 10% glycolic and 2% sal and better yet, ask your derm first. I don't want to have you in the burn center!!!

and PS the makers of Alpha Hydroxy are crooks!
They have their "Alpha Hydroxy Lotion" which has NO glycolic in it. Bastards. How misleading.
Look for the "Enhanced" lotion. It has 10%

Have you considered laser hair removal? Some places are not that pricey compared to the cost per year for all these products. And let me tell you, it makes life with living LOL

 

[eks6426]

I use the St Ives apricot scrub. It seems to help with the exfoliating & makes my underarms smooth. Best of all it is super cheap!

 

[sasa]

can we get it at target or walmart? Can you tell us the brand?

 

[sasa]

Date: 6/27/2005 5:10:58 PM
Author: moremoremore
Heck ya. That has a 6% solution....Reg Ol Alpha Hydroxy brand ''Enhanced Lotion'' has 10% and you can get up to 20% over the counter I believe. I''m looking into that right now. And the salicylic acid is 2% in a Clean and Clear brand for like 3 bucks. Then there is even 6% in keralyt which I just ordered online to help me with my nasty rough arms... Someone suggested combining wart remover LOL which is 17% sal acid and some cream called Carmol to make an exfoliating and moisturizing lotion but I didn''t want to take the hood off of my car LOL. Same principle works for ingrowns...keep the surface of the skin clear and unblocked! I have been moisturizing my entire hot bod LOL with the glycolic for a few weeks and I''m as smooth as a baby''s bottom except for my f''ing arms!!!

can we get this at Target or Walmart? can you tell us the brand you use?

 

[Sparkster]

Use a loofah regularly in the shower.

 

[jorman]

Amen! Bikini line season is the worst EVER! Another curse of being a woman.

I have found using a corse scrub (like swiss ives apricot scrub or Aveeno body scrub) in combination with exfoliating gloves works really well. I also skip wearing undies with latex elastic that touches the bikini area. It seems to cause irritation that leads to ingrowns (with me anyway). I have found tht the basic cotton (cheap cheap) bikini undies and thongs at Old Navy are the most comforting because the latex elastic is covered in cotton. You can get a pack of 3 for about $9.

When I know I am going to be in "le swimsuit" for a long period of time (a week or more) due to a cruise, or vacation etc. I get my bikini line waxed. It is nothing to write home about(YOWZA- take a bite stick) but it does last for 4-6 weeks , which is wonderful. I make sure to exfoliate about every other day though to prevent ingrowns.

MMM- you are cracking me up with your BFF comment! I say that all the time! Haha!

 

[msb700]

Blue824: I got laser done on my legs, bikini line and underarm...i cannot stress how amazing the experience has been...my in-growns are gone, any skin discoloration or spots are gone and my skin has become so smooth it really amazes me!! I am not sure what sort of equipment/procedure you would have to go through with laser removal in the states, but back here it is pretty straight forward and with it being sunny all year round, it doesn’t matter when we get it done! honestly though, go for it!!

Other than that, I try to exfoliate in the shower usually (even though i usually rush through my showers coz im constantly running late and don''t have time for that

!)

 

[moremoremore]

Hi Bobo! Most drug stores stock the Alpha Hydroxy brand. Look for the red box.
And YES, exfoliation is also wonderful!!!

And NO joke MSB. Laser is worth every freakin penny. I want to do head to toe LOL. Well, almost! Just make sure you go to someone good. My lady has been in the business forever and is the best!

 

[MissAva]

How long does the laser removal take? Do you have to let your hair grow out first?

 

[Blue824]

Date: 6/28/2005 2:00:01 PM
Author: msb700

Blue824: I got laser done on my legs, bikini line and underarm...i cannot stress how amazing the experience has been...my in-growns are gone, any skin discoloration or spots are gone and my skin has become so smooth it really amazes me!! I am not sure what sort of equipment/procedure you would have to go through with laser removal in the states, but back here it is pretty straight forward and with it being sunny all year round, it doesn’t matter when we get it done! honestly though, go for it!!

I''m sure it is a very similar process to what they offer where you are. Last summer I went for my consultations and I was shocked at the prices (one place was 3k another was 5k for full leg & bikini)! Now I''ve gotten over the sticker shock and realized its totally worth it. I started a small patch, not on my legs, a while ago, and I''m slightly disappointed but I was told it takes longer for fine hair than say underarms or legs. So I''ve saved up my $$ and I''m going to give it a whirl. Both places I had consultations asked me to wait until after the summer to begin. They said because some people get discolored with a lot of sun exposure. I''m sure they''re just covering their backs and if I pushed it they''d let me start, or if I called a different place, but I''ll suck it up. Heading to the Carribean in August so maybe after that I''ll see if they can start since I won''t be in the sun as much. I must say, it has been easier to endure this summer knowing it should be the last one

Moremoremore, I''m with you, I''d get it done everywhere if I had the money. I talk about hair removal so much my mom and co-workers joke that I''m going to be bald one day

 

[luckyhonu]

I have done laser hair removal on my lower legs and am amazed by the results. I''ve only had it done 3 times and my hair is 80% gone, and the hair that is left over is very fine and sparse which I wax myself. Laser hair removal is best for those with dark hair and light skin. I think that this is the best money I''ve ever spent (next to LASIK)!

 

[jorman]

I second MMM''s question.

Do you have to let the hair grow before you get it lasered? If so, how long? I would LOVE to "invest" in having my legs and bikini done. I have to shave almost everyday (legs that is) and it is OBNOXIOUS! I should own stock in Venus razor blades.

A friend of mine had laser treatment done on his neck and he only went twice and it hasn''t grown back yet.

Hmmmm.....3K-5K to never shave again....sounding better and better...

 

[msb700]

blue824: eeeeeeck!!!! 3k to 5 k for full leg and bikini!!! im getting heart aches just looking at that number!! its really expensive in the states!!!!!!!!!! sorry to break this for you but it costs me exactly $315 (yes, three HUNDRED (not thousand) and fifteen) for my full leg, bikini line AND under arms!!!! and this isn't the cheapest treatment around even!! yikes!! i always knew that 'service' in the states is expensive, but not like this!! (for comparisons sake : it would cost me $26 for a manicure and a pedicure at a high end beauty salon and a silly $13 for a regular beauty salon (that offers as good a service minus the fancy chairs and decor!)...i am not sure wat the prices are in the states, but i know it costs much more than that rite? something around $45 to 60??

Matatora: The first time i went to the doctor for consultation i let my hair grow out (that was embarrassing coz he was a male doctor!) but he was very professional about it and then immediately started the treatment....the first few times u do it they would tell u to come back in 4 to 6 weeks for round 2....my treatments were effective almost immediately that when i went the next time around the hair was fine and not as much as it used to be...

The results usually show more quickly on areas with coarse hair or ppl who have dark hair in comparison to their skin tone, that just means that others with finer hair may need an additional session or two to see the difference.

I cannot say enuf about how *amazing* it is to be able to wear a skirt ANY time i feel like it, wear sleeveless tops ANY time i feel like it and not worry that i may have forgotten to shave somewhere or the other...PLUS wat triggered it all was when i got engaged!! i realized the horror of having to be in tip top shape and clean all the time! That just made me run to my doctor's door and demand full service immediately

ETA: just realized i didn't say how long u should wait for the hair to grow and duration of treatment: for me i just waited about a week and a half/two weeks after i shaved to go and show him wat was happening...they just basically need to see the amount of hair u have and whether its coarse or fine...as for the duration, it takes about an hr to an hr and half for my legs and bikini line and around 5 mins for my under arms...

 

[Blue824]

Date: 6/28/2005 4:29:52 PM
Author: Matatora
How long does the laser removal take? Do you have to let your hair grow out first?

Laser removal isn''t a set amount of time, however they say about a year. Everyone responds differently, as I''ve learned, so do different areas of the body.

Typically you buy the treatment in sessions and prices can vary. I''m currently using my dermatologist because they were $1500 less for the quote that my aunts'' dermatologist gave me for the same section. For my legs, I''ll use my aunt''s dermatologist because there was a $2000 price difference. For me it paid to do 2 consultations, those are pretty huge differences in price! There are lots of places that offer treatments, I like that mine are at a dermatologist though. Comfort level. Hair Today, Gone TOmorrow is not the same as the laser hair removal, I''ve been told. Some places also have financing plans.

Some people are not good candidates. You need to have dark hair and light skin. I have olive skin and they said that''s fine as long as I''m not tan, hense the delay in my treatments over the summer, I''m assuming. The laser is attracted to pigment, so if you have blond hair it won''t work.

The area is shaved before the treatment. The laser is sort of a small square shaped thing that they put on each section for a moment and then move to the next, slowly covering the entire area.

The pain is minimal. For the first like 4 treatments I didn''t even feel anything and then they kicked the intensity of the laser up a notch and that one session I felt something. I''m on #7 now. For more sensitive areas, like on the face or bikini line, they do prescribe a numbing lotion. I havent used that yet though. I''m hoping the results from my next few sessions will be better, but I guess I''m ok with my results thus far, it just could be better. For the legs I havent heard anyoen complain yet. I have heard that the bikini area can be quite stubborn!

 

[Blue824]

Date: 6/29/2005 12:37:56 AM
Author: msb700

blue824: eeeeeeck!!!! 3k to 5 k for full leg and bikini!!! im getting heart aches just looking at that number!! its really expensive in the states!!!!!!!!!! sorry to break this for you but it costs me exactly $315 (yes, three HUNDRED (not thousand) and fifteen) for my full leg, bikini line AND under arms!!!! and this isn''t the cheapest treatment around even!! yikes!! i always knew that ''service'' in the states is expensive, but not like this!! (for comparisons sake : it would cost me $26 for a manicure and a pedicure at a high end beauty salon and a silly $13 for a regular beauty salon (that offers as good a service minus the fancy chairs and decor!)...i am not sure wat the prices are in the states, but i know it costs much more than that rite? something around $45 to 60??

OMG! Where do you live? Maybe i need to move there for a year or two to get my laser done haha! That is a pretty depressing & drastic price difference! How many sessions did that cover?? I was in a total sticker shock after my consultations...afterwards I called other places around the city to compare and $3000 was pretty average while $5000 was at the higher end, but not the highest quote I recieved. And that was just full leg + bikini, no underarms. Just to clarify, those amounts are for packages, $5000 was for 9 sessions wil $3000 was two years worth of sessions. I know sometimes one session can cost a couple hundred as prices are listed in the US.

Just for reference on prices, a manicure in my area is $22, $24 for french at a somewhat high-end place, a pedicure is $45, $48 for french...I don''t even go to the most expensive place in town

There are nail bars where you can get a combo for like $30-35 I guess. In NYC my friend claims to get her manicure for $8.

 

[msb700]

blue824: oh okay!!! then that price makes sense then..the number i quoted (315) was only for one session for all three (full leg, bikini line & under arm)... I have been to 6 sessions for my leg (over two and a half years and it takes about three months for me to notice that the fine hair has now come out again) and i can''t recall how many for my underarm (those have been really stubborn!) but that was over 2 years...for 9 sessions of full leg & bikini line it would cost approximately $2200 (over two years or so)..i nearly got a heart attack when i saw the price u quoted coz i thought it was for a one or two session only!! sorry my bad!

 

[Blue824]

Date: 6/29/2005 1:38:25 AM
Author: msb700
blue824: oh okay!!! then that price makes sense then..the number i quoted (315) was only for one session for all three (full leg, bikini line & under arm)... I have been to 6 sessions for my leg (over two and a half years and it takes about three months for me to notice that the fine hair has now come out again) and i can''t recall how many for my underarm (those have been really stubborn!) but that was over 2 years...for 9 sessions of full leg & bikini line it would cost approximately $2200 (over two years or so)..i nearly got a heart attack when i saw the price u quoted coz i thought it was for a one or two session only!! sorry my bad!

Hehe ok, that makes MUCH more sense!!!