Razor burn and ingrown hairs are unsightly side effects of shaving, but they typically require a simple treatment and disappear after a few days. However, when you have dark spots that form due to razor bumps and ingrown hair, it requires more work to make your skin look flawless. By following these simple tips, you can fade the dark spots that form.
What Causes Dark Spots to Form?
When you shave, especially if you do not use shaving cream or shave with a dull razor, it can lead to razor bumps and ingrown hair. The two main causes are uneven pressure or bacteria entering the pores. When shaving, hair may become trapped under the skin or regrow into the skin, which makes it an ingrown hair. This causes bumps to form, and you may experience swelling, and pain. If the bacteria get into the pores, it leads to infection, similar to some forms of acne. Initially, your skin will turn red, and you might even have some puss forming if it becomes infected. As the skin heals, the area can scar and turn darker, leading to a dark spot. This occurs due to the damage to the cells that produce melanin or the skin pigment.
Prevention is Key
One of the best ways to treat dark spots is to prevent them from forming. Therefore, you should always shave with some cream or gel and use a sharp blade. This reduces the risk of developing ingrown hair and razor bumps. When you do have an ingrown hair, then treat it carefully and do not shave again until it has healed. Treat the area with an anti-inflammatory and antibacterial cream to help the skin to heal and prevent any further damage.
Treat the Dark Spots
Once you have dark spots, they will typically disappear after several months, but you can expedite the skin’s healing process by using a skin lightening cream. However, you want to ensure to use ingredients that will help the skin, not further harm it. Some common ingredients in skin lightening creams include kojic acid and hydroquinone. However, you do not want to use these, as they have dangerous side effects. Instead, you should aim for natural and healthy ingredients that will lighten the skin without harming your body, such as licorice root extract. Vitamin C is another ingredient that will help, not harm, your skin. It is an antioxidant that reverses the cellular damage caused to the skin, including the damage to the cells that produce melanin. In addition to fading scars and dark spots, it also promotes your skin’s natural healing process, including producing collagen.
You can remove the dark spots from razor burn and ingrown hair, but it starts by ensuring you shave properly. You also want to take care of any damage to the skin right away.
Do you have a question about your scar or dark spot? Leave a comment and we’ll be happy to answer.
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The information on this site is provided as an information resource only, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please speak to your doctor to treat any medical condition. Information on this site is not intended to be patient education, does not create any patient-physician relationship, and should not be used as a substitute for professional diagnosis and treatment.
