Let’s Talk About Hidradenitis Suppurativa: The Skin Condition No One Talks About (But Should)
If you’ve ever dealt with painful bumps in places like your underarms, bikini line, or inner thighs — and they keep coming back — you might be dealing with more than just ingrown hairs. Enter: Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS). It’s under diagnosed, often misunderstood, and definitely something we need to talk about more in the skincare and waxing world.
At our studio, we’ve seen it. We support clients who have it. And we believe knowledge is power — especially when it comes to your body and your skin.
💡 So... What Is Hidradenitis Suppurativa?
Hidradenitis Suppurativa (let’s call it HS for short) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that causes painful bumps, abscesses, and tunnel-like scars — usually in areas where skin rubs together, like:
Armpits
Groin
Inner thighs
Under the breasts
Between the butt cheeks
The bumps can look like cysts, boils, or even severe ingrowns — which is why so many people go undiagnosed for years.
🚫 Spoiler Alert: It’s NOT Caused By Poor Hygiene
One of the biggest myths about HS is that it’s somehow linked to being “dirty” or not shaving correctly. Nope. That’s not it. HS is linked to inflammation, genetics, and immune system dysfunction — not your shower habits.
It can affect people of all body types, genders, and backgrounds, though it’s more common in women and often begins after puberty.
🤔 HS vs. Ingrown Hairs: What’s the Difference?
Here’s a quick breakdown:
Ingrown Hair HS Lesion
Usually small and localized Often multiple bumps or tunnel-like tracts
Tends to clear up quickly Can linger or worsen over time
Caused by blocked hair follicle Caused by immune system dysfunction
Responds to exfoliation and aftercare May require medical treatment
If you think you may have this condition, contact your doctor or dermatologist. Waxing can make hair removal easier on your skin, but open sores should not be waxed over. If you have a wax scheduled and have a break out, contact us to reschedule. If you only have one or two, we can probably go around them.
