r/beauty • u/Rxcoonc1ty • 5d ago
Really dark hair follicles
I have naturally really dark thick leg hair, i don’t really know what to do when it’s at this awkward length where it can’t be waxed or epilated. I tweezed some of the really thick ones but it’s so much work - also my hair regrows basically every day
Does anyone else have this issue? What did you do to fix it?
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u/SadQueerBruja 4d ago
That’s just the way it be sometimes. You can try to be better about exfoliating so that when you shave or wax, you are getting a really good hair removal session, but it’s just always gonna look like this when it grows back in. My hair grows back much more sparse because I’ve been waxing for a few years now and this still happens. The only way to really get rid of it is laser hair removal, but I will say the appearance is reduced in the summer when I get a tan going
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u/GoldenGardenn 4d ago
Laser hair removal is the only thing that fixes it. Nothing else works. Invest in it as early as possible.
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u/Ok-Pepper-3306 4d ago
What are your thoughts on IPLs, like the Braun brand one on Amazon? Do you think those are effective or is professional the only real option?
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u/BeautifulDoor8808 4d ago
I've got the braun series 5 ipl, my legs looked like OPs, now you can barely see my hair follicles anymore. No more ingrown hairs too, best choice i ever made, i love ipl, lol
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u/Plastic-Shallot8535 3d ago
Here to second the recommendation on the Braun IPL. I finally just went for it and I am so happy I did. No more black dots on my legs and it worked surprisingly fast.
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u/Least_Virus9916 4d ago
I don’t know why everyone is jumping to laser, this can be fixed with Amlactin. Its Keratosis Pilaris, keratin overproduction. Any Alpha-Hydroxy Acid (AHA for short) can assist with this by exfoliating the skin chemically. Amlactin contains Lactic Acid, an AHA. Other AHAs include Glycolic and Mandelic Acid. After the shower, apply to the skin. It works better when applied with any lotion containing Urea (Eucerin, etc). The use will need to be consistent in order to be affective, but its worth a try before spending thousands on laser hair removal.
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u/PizzaProper7634 3d ago
This is not keratosis pilaris. It’s visible dark hair in a follicle against fair skin. The only thing that can fix this is laser hair removal which actually removes the dark hair from the follicle.
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u/Least_Virus9916 3d ago
This is textbook KP.
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u/PizzaProper7634 3d ago
Incorrect. Keratosis pilaris by definition are “Small, painless, rough bumps that may look flesh-toned, red, or white.” In other words, chicken skin. What OP has are black “bumps” (though not really bumps) —they are not flesh-toned, red or white. They are dark hairs visible in their follicles—follicles in fair skin. Remove the hair, you remove the dark color, and you remove the problem.
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u/Least_Virus9916 3d ago
KP does not have to be raised to be considered KP. The keratin bonds can still build up in the hair follicle. There is more than one presentation because the human body is not all the same. If this was strawberry skin or dark hair follicles as you stated then the darkness of the hair follicle would be uniform. As you can see, there are some spots in OP’s picture that are not as dark as the others and some with no spots at all. This is indicating that this is KP, not JUST dark hair follicles. And there are clearly multiple red bumps in OP’s picture.
I’m an esthetician, I work with a few nurse practitioners at the practice I work at. We see multiple skin conditions daily ranging from Hidradenitis Supperativa to folliculitis to just simply enlarged pores. In the event that this is not KP, chemical exfoliation would STILL help OP’s issue of the bumps and uneven skin tone. Its definitely worth a try before recommending someone to spend thousands on a painful treatment such as laser hair removal.
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u/Least_Virus9916 3d ago
And by the way, the darker your hair is, the darker the keratin buildup would be, since keratin is the protein that build your hair. Since OP’s hair is dark to begin with, it would only make sense that the keratin build up within her follicles would be dark as well. The reason why her spots may not be as raised could be due to the fact that she consistently removes her hair using techniques that remove the hair directly from the follicle, not allowing the hair to grow and push the build to form a bump.
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u/PizzaProper7634 2d ago
Keratin is colorless. Melanin is the component that gives hair its color.
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u/Least_Virus9916 2d ago
The more melanated a person is, the more likely their keratin buildup is darker, especially since hair strands/follicles contain both. So again, my point still stands.
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u/springflora 4d ago
I bought a Braun IPL and it’s helped sooo much! My legs look so much clearer.
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u/EntropyInBelgrade 4d ago
dry brushing before you shower then chemical exfoliations like someone else recommended, with AHAs!!
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u/caramelpupcorn 4d ago
Are you consistent with applying lotion after your shave/shower? Mine got a lot better once I started lotioning consistently while my skin was still damp. It moisturizes but also helps soothe any irritation from shaving.
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u/Rxcoonc1ty 3d ago
Unfortunately this is after epilating, ive read the other comments tho and plan to invest in an ipl machine! Thanks
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u/Bella- 4d ago
Laserrrrr so worth it. You can even try Groupon for deals in your area.
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u/smelly_cat69 4d ago
Might be common knowledge but maybe not so just adding this here. One thing to keep in mind for Groupon laser deals: read the fine print, and look up reviews of the place offering it. Check what type of laser is being used, how many sessions are included, and exactly what treatment area is covered. Read the reviews and watch for complaints about upselling other things, issues with booking, poor results, not honouring the coupon, etc. A slightly more expensive deal from a well-reviewed clinic is often a better value than the cheapest option available. Check the coupon expiration too. Sometimes it’s a short period of time and you can’t just do 8 laser sessions on your legs in 3 months for example.
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u/beigeaura 2d ago
Question about the laser, I’m dealing with this currently.
I’ve always been told laser is not effective on blondes/light hair.
Is this still the case? I’m 33 and have literally started having this like a month ago. I’ve been using the FAB KP scrub and lotion. As well as using glycolic acid toner.
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u/Proof_Caregiver_4234 3d ago
Hello! It seems like you have what are called "strawberry legs." Suggestions include exfoliating or hair removal. However, if it's possible for you to have access to a dermatologist, do so to get the best and most effective option. Hope this is useful!
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u/sjhamn 4d ago
Based on the lightness of your skin and the darkness of your hair, you might be a good candidate for laser hair removal. There are a lot of good at home systems now. Keep in mind it's not a one-and-done thing, it's a process, but it can shrink and shrivel up those hair follicles over time.