Are Medical Aesthetic Applications Permanent? Advantages and Realities of Temporariness
21/11/2025
Is It Possible to Improve Skin Quality with Dermal Fillers? The Miracle Beyond Volume
25/11/2025
Is Laser Hair Removal a Solution for Ingrown Hair? Definitive and Permanent Treatment
Red bumps, inflamed spots and black lines that extend under the skin after waxing, razor or epilator sessions with the dream of having smooth skin... "Ingrown hair" or "pseudofolliculitis" is one of the most common and annoying skin problems of both women and men.
Is Laser Hair Removal a Solution for Ingrown Hair? Definitive and Permanent Treatment
This condition, which is not only an aesthetic problem, but can also lead to painful infections and permanent stains, is usually worsened rather than solved by traditional hair removal methods. Many people apply to our clinic with the desperation of “I can't get rid of ingrown warts no matter what I do”. At this point, Laser Epilation, is the only and definitive treatment method that not only removes unwanted hair but also solves the ingrown hair problem from the root. As Dr. Melis Ulger, Istanbul, Kadikoy‘I would like to explain this “therapeutic” aspect of laser hair removal and how you can achieve a smooth, ingrown-free skin.
What is Ingrown Hair (Ingrown Hair) and Why Does It Occur?
In its simplest definition, ingrown hair is when the hair, instead of growing to the surface of the skin, curls backwards into the skin or grows horizontally, trapped under a layer of dead skin. The body perceives this hair growing under the skin as a “foreign body” and initiates a defense reaction against it. This reaction results in redness, swelling, inflammation (pustules) and sometimes painful cysts.
The main factors that predispose to ingrowth formation are as follows:
- Hair Structure: In people with curly or stiff hair, the tip of the hair is more prone to twist and sink into the skin.
- Dry Skin and Dead Cell Accumulation: The thick layer of dead skin (hyperkeratosis) that accumulates on the surface of the skin blocks the hair's exit path, trapping it inside.
- Wrong Hair Removal Methods: Methods that pluck the hair from the root or cut just below the skin are the main trigger of ingrown hair formation.
The Vicious Cycle of Traditional Methods: How Waxing, Razors and Epilators Magnify the Problem
The biggest mistake that people with ingrown warts make is to apply the methods that cause ingrowns more aggressively in order to get rid of them. This is a vicious circle.
- Waxing and epilator: When you pull the hair from the root, sometimes the whole hair does not come out and breaks off at the root. This broken hair tip remains under the skin surface. When the skin surface quickly repairs itself and closes, the hair underneath starts to grow, but cannot find a hole to get out and grows under the skin. In addition, root removal can disrupt the direction of hair growth.
- Razor (Shaving): The razor cuts the hair at a sharp angle from the surface of the skin. This sharp tip can easily sink into the neighboring hair follicle or skin as the hair grows. This is especially common with curly hair.
- Tweezer Intervention: Poking the skin with tweezers or a needle to remove the ingrowth makes the situation worse. It wounds the skin, increases the risk of infection and causes permanent scars.
"Strawberry Leg" Appearance and Rough Skin Texture
Another common aesthetic problem associated with ingrowns is the appearance of “strawberry legs”. Fat, bacteria and dead skin accumulated in the pores (hair follicles) of the legs oxidize and darken when in contact with air. When the shadow of hair trapped under the skin is added to this, black dots form on the skin surface, just like seeds on a strawberry. This makes the skin look rough and dirty. Laser hair removal treats this appearance by tightening the pores and removing the hair inside.
How Does Laser Hair Removal Affect Ingrowns? Understanding the Mechanism
Laser hair removal is not a “symptomatic” but a “curative” approach to the treatment of ingrown hairs. In other words, it does not only dry the existing inflammation, but also eliminates the cause of the ingrown. The principle of operation is as follows:
- The laser light travels through the skin surface, along the hair shaft and reaches the melanin pigment in the hair follicle.
- Here it turns into heat energy and destroys the hair root (follicle).
- The destroyed root no longer has the ability to produce hair.
- As the hair production stops, there is no hair under the skin to twist, sting or clog.
In this process, the heat effect created by the laser helps existing inflamed ingrowns to dry and heal faster.
Why Laser Hair Removal is the "Only" Real Solution for Ingrown Warts
There is no other medically proven way to get rid of ingrown hairs permanently except laser hair removal. While other methods (scrubs, peels, creams) only provide a mitigating effect, laser solves the problem radically.
1. Changes and Destroys Hair Structure
From the first sessions of laser hair removal, the hairs become thinner and weaker. It is much more difficult for a thin and weak hair to pierce the skin and penetrate or turn than a thick and stiff hair. As the treatment progresses, the hair disappears completely and the risk of ingrown hairs decreases to zero.
2. Eliminates Processes that Disrupt Volume Integrity
When you undergo laser hair removal, you stop procedures that traumatize the skin such as waxing and epilators. Only the use of a razor is allowed and as the sessions progress, the need for a razor decreases. The barrier is repaired by not constantly pulling, plucking and irritating the skin.
3. Helps Heal Blemishes and Scars (PIH)
Brown spots (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation) form in areas that are constantly itchy and sore due to ingrown hairs. When ingrown hair formation stops with laser hair removal, the skin is no longer exposed to new traumas. This period of calm allows the skin to regenerate itself and the existing spots to fade over time. In addition, the heat effect of the laser can trigger skin regeneration (collagen production), which can lighten the appearance of scars.
"Shaving Ingrowns" (Pseudofolliculitis Barbae) in Men and Laser Solution
The problem of ingrown hairs is not only specific to women. Especially in men with curly beard structure, painful, inflamed bumps (Pseudofolliculitis Barbae) that occur after shaving in the neck area are very common. This can turn daily shaving into a torture. American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), The most effective treatment for this chronic condition is laser hair removal. For men, instead of removing the entire beard, this problem can be solved comfortably by applying laser only to the problematic area in the neck area or by reducing the hair density.
Treatment Process: How Long Does It Take to Get Rid of Ingrown Warts?
The effect of laser hair removal on ingrown hairs is surprisingly fast. Although it takes 6-8 sessions to become completely hairless, it is usually required to solve the problem of ingrown hairs. 2 or 3 sessions is sufficient. Even after the first session, there is a significant reduction in ingrown hairs with thinning hairs and a marked relief of the skin. The skin is smoother, the appearance of “strawberry legs” is reduced and inflammatory lesions dry up.
Journey to a Smooth Skin at our Clinic in Kadikoy
Kadikoy‘In our clinic in Istanbul, we apply not only an aesthetic procedure but also a skin treatment protocol to our patients who come with ingrown hair complaints. We choose the most suitable device (Alexandrite, Diode or Nd:YAG) for your skin type and hair structure and perform your application under hygienic conditions. If your ingrown hairs are dense, in addition to laser treatment, we will also use Hydrafacial We can also include supportive methods such as medical peeling or medical peeling in your treatment plan. We welcome you to our clinic to experience the freedom of a smooth, blemish-free and blemish-free skin.
Write to Us
Let's Create Your Appointment Now
Sustainable Beauty Planning at our Clinic in Kadikoy
Kadikoy‘At our clinic, we aim to offer our patients a “sustainable beauty plan” instead of “one-off” procedures. In a consultation with you, we will evaluate your budget, time and goals and create a calendar that determines which procedures we need to perform and how often. Our goal is not to change you, but to ensure that you look and feel your best at your age. Remember, medical aesthetics is a marathon, not a sprint. Regular and small touches always provide the most natural and lasting satisfaction.
Contact Now for a Holistic Approach to Your Health
As Dr. Melis Ülger Clinic, we prioritize reliability and natural results in medical aesthetic applications. We help you achieve a more vibrant, balanced and healthy appearance by tailoring the methods used specifically to your needs. For a comfortable and safe experience contact us.
📞 +90 532 336 52 00 call us at
English