spots/lumps on legs

helsbels1982

Hi all
im hoping someone can help me. I suffer from what I assume is ingrown hairs on my legs. I get lumps that are like spots and if they are not squeezed they become infected, when they are squeezed the hair comes out. I dont want to squeeze them as I know it damages the skin but they become highly infected if I leave them and also become itchy. I have tried waxing but I still end up with them. Ive also tried hair removal creams, shaving both everyday and also by leaving the hairs to grow before shaving (thank god it was winter when I did this)but it still hasnt made a difference. I have also tried treezering the hairs out of the lumps (very time consuming ) but still made no difference.

Does anybody have any suggestions please as Im embarrased having my legs on show as they look like I have acne on my legs and dont look nice at all (I suffer from adult acne on my face which is under control with tablets).

Thank you in advance

shop-to-drop

You could try tea tree oil bodywash and tea tree oil directly on the spots.

I get it from bodyshop. They also have it at holland and barratt or qvc.

Outer_Limits

Have you tried an exfoliating pad or mitt? (for body, not face!)

For some people they release the hair so it just grows and doesn't cause an infection.

A loofah or one of those scrunched up plastic net thingies might do the trick too.

Melonade

I feel your pain!!! I'm in exactly the same position and it's driving me mad.

I can't shave, wax, epilate or use creams. So far the only thing that half works is using the shaver part of my epilator. Exfoliate and always moisturise after a shower or bath. I think the shaver works because it doesn't get as close as a razor which means the hair doesn't always get sealed under the skin. I've even tried this liquid stuff from boots that's supposed to stop in growing hairs... it was expensive and rubbish.

It got so bad when I was using an epilator that I would scratch my legs so hard of a night in bed they would bleed not a good look!!

One thing I have found helps slightly is a good exfoliator, soap and glory flake away is my fave so far. It's grittier than most I've tried also I use a body brush before I shower, I'm not sure how effective it is but it does seem to brush off a bit of dry skin... surely that's helping the hairs break through?

I never used to have this problem though, it's only been in the last few years that's is started :mad:

helsbels1982

Ive never suffered with this either untill aprox 3years ago, mainly when my acne problems were getting worse which was when I was diagnosed with polycystic ovaries and its got worse as time went on
I also bought an expensive product that was supposed to prevent ingrown hairs.... did absolutely nothing apart from hurt my bank balance.
I use a puff/nett thing when I shower but it doesn't seem to prevent it. I will try exfoliating, do you recommend this everytime I shower? What moisturiser would you suggest? Something like e45?

I was tempted to buy the no no shaving machine I keep seeing advertised but its alot of money if it doesn't work or makes things worse
It wouldn't bother me so much as I would just wear trousers which would be annoying in the summer but do able but its the itching that is driving me crazy and im starting to end up with small spot type scars

Melonade

helsbels1982 wrote: »

Ive never suffered with this either untill aprox 3years ago, mainly when my acne problems were getting worse which was when I was diagnosed with polycystic ovaries and its got worse as time went on
I also bought an expensive product that was supposed to prevent ingrown hairs.... did absolutely nothing apart from hurt my bank balance.
I use a puff/nett thing when I shower but it doesn't seem to prevent it. I will try exfoliating, do you recommend this everytime I shower? What moisturiser would you suggest? Something like e45?

I was tempted to buy the no no shaving machine I keep seeing advertised but its alot of money if it doesn't work or makes things worse
It wouldn't bother me so much as I would just wear trousers which would be annoying in the summer but do able but its the itching that is driving me crazy and im starting to end up with small spot type scars

I don't exfoliate every time I shower, usually once or twice a week... but i do use my body brush before every shower. I use soap and glory body butter or body lotion in the pump bottle. The body butters seem to work better on damp skin after a shower. It means you don't use loads either. I wouldn't use them if your legs are sore though, maybe something unperfumed or mild or anything your using atm. Any moisturiser will work I think, it's just to keep the skin nice and soft so the hairs can break through.

Personally I'd be temped to buy a cheap lady shave kind of shaver. I bought mine for the epliator on it but like I said it really made it worse. Then it broke but the shaver part still works so I use that regularly now.

I hope it gets better for you but remember to not go crazy with the exfoliating or body brushing or anything that will irritate your skin. And be very careful if your legs are still a bit sore.

helsbels1982

Just want to say thank you for your advice, ive been exfoliating every time I get a shower and although I still have spots/lumps, they have reduced alot and my legs seem so much smoother. I know they will probably never be 100% but im made up with how much better they are after only a few weeks
Ive also started exfoliating my arms as ive always had little lumps around the elbow area and they have nearly disappeared completely

Thank you again

Melonade

helsbels1982 wrote: »

Just want to say thank you for your advice, ive been exfoliating every time I get a shower and although I still have spots/lumps, they have reduced alot and my legs seem so much smoother. I know they will probably never be 100% but im made up with how much better they are after only a few weeks
Ive also started exfoliating my arms as ive always had little lumps around the elbow area and they have nearly disappeared completely

Thank you again

That's great :T. I'm sure it'll keep getting better for you, it's just a case of finding what works best for your skin. Also not giving those pesky hairs any excuse to get trapped under the skin by keeping it smooth and moisturised

Really pleased for you :T