Ingrown hairs, body odour, chicken skin: these are just some of the things we don’t want to admit we need products for. There is no doubt that there are some body complaints that can cause us more than just a little embarrassment, hence leading to a very ‘hush hush’ culture about certain things.
But fear not; this doctor’s got you covered. Here is a list of five items for beauty complaints less talked about. They may not be sitting on your super-glam ‘top shelf’ – but are every bit as necessary as the products that are.
1. Benzoyl peroxide gel for ingrown hairs:
Ingrown hairs occur when a strand of hair gets trapped underneath the surrounding skin and begins to inflame the follicle.
Whether you get them on your face, underarms or legs, there’s no doubt they’re unsightly, painful and frustrating.
Topical benzoyl peroxide gel works to dampen down the inflammation that is often associated with ingrown hairs. The antibacterial properties of benzoyl peroxide makes it a wonderful multi-function ingredient that is beneficial for acne as well as ingrown hairs.
Keep a tube of this helpful ingredient at the ready, and you’ll see a rapid reduction in the redness and swelling associated with many different types of lumps and bumps.
2. Eflornithine gel for unwanted facial hairs:
If you’ve ever experienced facial hair (hirsutism), then you know it can sometimes be awkward and embarrassing.
Facial hair is often caused by excess male hormones, which can be due to conditions such as polycystic ovarian syndrome. As well as being awkward, it can also result in hyperpigmentation, facial ingrown hairs and even scarring.
Laser hair removal remains the best option for facial ingrown hairs as it’s able to heat up and destroy the entire hair follicle, but for those without the funds, you can use a topical agent such as eflornithine gel. Eflornithine works by inhibiting an enzyme that puts hair in the active phases of hair growth.
In order to get eflornithine gel, you do need to see a GP and get a prescription. Whilst at the GP, ensure you’re getting your hormone levels checked in order to ascertain the root causes of the unwanted hair growth.
3. Benzoyl Peroxide wash for body odour:
Benzoyl peroxide is truly one of the best antibacterial ingredients on the market, particularly due to how versatile it is.
If you’re dealing with body odour, you can try a benzoyl peroxide wash to tackle the root cause. Body odour occurs when bacteria get trapped and begin to colonise the hair and sweat of your underarms.
Whilst an antiperspirant will help reduce sweat, an antibacterial agent is what you need to reduce the odour.
As discussed above, benzoyl peroxide can tackle multiple complaints; others include back acne and foot odour.
4. Glycolic acid for chicken skin:
Chicken skin – also known as keratosis pilaris – can be unsightly and uncomfortable. It occurs when a build-up of keratin underneath the skin leads to tiny bumps that ultimately give your skin a ‘chicken skin’ or ‘strawberry like’ appearance.
To manage this, you need to exfoliate the dead and dying skin cells that are trapped underneath the skin.
Glycolic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid that is small enough in molecular size to penetrate deep within the epidermis of the skin to remove dead skin cells contributing to this bumpy appearance.
As keratosis pilaris is also a condition of dry skin, don’t forget to follow up with moisturising ingredients like urea and ceramides.
5. Intimate feminine washes:
There should be no need for embarrassment when it comes to feminine hygiene. But even still, some products just sit a little too awkwardly on the shelves for our liking.
Traditional feminine hygiene products like ‘Femfresh’ have a characteristically clinical feel to them, making you feel as though something is wrong with you, just by cleaning your intimate areas.
Whilst of course you can just use plain water to wash your vulva, for some, that may not feel like enough following periods, exercise or sex etc.
An alternative option is a fragrance-free, sensitive skin wash that is pH-corrected to the vulva to prevent irritation, discharge or discomfort.
;
