An ingrown hair is a hair that has grown back into the skin or through the hair follicle. Ingrown hairs are caused by hair removal methods such as shaving, tweezing or waxing. This condition causes pain, itching and localized skin irritation. For men, these ingrown hairs are most common on the face and neck. For women, they are more common along the bikini lines, legs and underarms. There are many treatments for ingrown hairs.
Warm Compress
Place warm compresses on ingrown hairs to help speed healing and reduce the irritation associated with the ingrown hair. You can place the compress on the ingrown hair up to three times per day, states Epigee. Once you can see the hair loop, you can lift out the ingrown end of the hair using a sterilized needle, says the Mayo Clinic.
Topical Medication
If the area near the ingrown hair begins to itch, you can treat it with 1 percent hydrocortisone cream, states the Palo Alto Medical Foundation. It is important not to scratch the ingrown hair as this may irritate it and introduce bacteria into the area. Another medication that can help to heal ingrown hairs is a topical antibiotic ointment. This can minimize the risk of the area getting infected, especially after you remove the ingrown end of the hair.
Prescription Treatments
For people with chronic or severe ingrown hairs, a trip to the dermatologist may be in order. A dermatologist may prescribe antibiotics to treat infection, corticosteroids to reduce inflammation and retinoids to minimize the thickening and darkening of the skin that are common with ingrown hairs. Some dermatologists may also recommend cosmetic procedures such as laser hair removal.
Member Comments