- With Mayo Clinic dermatologist
Lawrence E. Gibson, M.D.
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Lawrence E. Gibson, M.D.
Lawrence E. Gibson, M.D.
Dr. Lawrence Gibson likens bad health information on the Internet to food poisoning.
Consumers, he said, need to be aware, and will find reliable information at MayoClinic.com.
Dr. Gibson, a Covington, Ky., native, has been with Mayo since 1986 and is board certified in dermatology, dermatopathology and immunodermatology. He is a professor of dermatology at Mayo Medical School and a consultant in the Department of Dermatology.
Dr. Gibson has been director of the Dermatopathology Laboratory since 1998 and chair of the Laboratory Division in the Department of Dermatology since 2000. He is especially interested in inflammatory disorders of the skin and lymphoma affecting the skin.
"Electronic information is becoming a staple in the diet of a health conscious society," he said. "It's important to avoid misinformation and provide a credible source for health information. Using this analogy, it's critical to avoid 'indigestion' or worse yet, 'food poisoning' by the ingestion of tainted information."
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Question
Ingrown hairs: How do you prevent them?
I constantly get ingrown hairs. They're so painful. What can I do to prevent them?
Answer
from Lawrence E. Gibson, M.D.
Ingrown hairs are hairs that grow out slightly and then curl back and penetrate the skin. This results in redness, tenderness and swelling at the site of penetration. Ingrown hairs are a fairly common problem. A common cause of ingrown hairs is chronic irritation to the hair shaft and follicle opening. This irritation may be due to frequent and close shaving or friction from tight clothing or belts. People with curly hair tend to have more ingrown hairs than do those with straight hair.
To prevent ingrown hairs, reduce friction and irritation in the affected areas. Shaving tips that may help prevent ingrown hairs include:
- Shave hair a little longer than you normally do
- Avoid repeated razor strokes over the same area
- Shave in the direction of hair growth
- Use a moisturizer to soften the hair and make shaving easier
Many ingrown hairs will eventually grow out by themselves and don't need treatment. See a dermatologist if you get ingrown hairs all the time or if the pain of an ingrown hair persists for more than a few days. When needed, treatment may include:
- Topical antiseptics
- Antibiotics, if an infection is present
- Permanent hair removal, in stubborn cases
