Ingrown hairs are a common problem for almost anyone who shaves. When hairs are cut flush with the skin, they can actually curl back and grow into the epidermis. This leads to an inflammatory response from the body, resulting in what is commonly known as razor bumps. For women, these unsightly bumps often develop after hair removal along the bikini line and legs. If you do develop ingrown hairs after shaving, waxing or other hair removal methods, there are a few techniques you can use to help rid them from the skin.
Friction
The American Academy of Dermatology recommends trying to loosen the embedded tip with a little friction. You can create friction by rubbing a toothbrush or washcloth in a circular motion over the razor bump. This can draw the tip out of the skin, alleviating the inflammatory response and causing the bump to disappear. It may take several minutes to free the tip of the ingrown hair with this method.
Extraction
Manually extracting the embedded tip from the skin can also help to alleviate the razor bump, explains the Mayo Clinic. If you're able to see the shaft of the hair as it grows into the skin, you can hook it with a needle or grasp it with a tweezers and then carefully pull the ingrown tip out of the skin. Much like friction, this ends the inflammatory response and causes the bump to disappear. Depending on the location of the ingrown hair, this method can be difficult. Enlisting the help of a friend or partner can expedite the process.
Medication
If ingrown hairs become a regular problem, you can often manage their development with prescription medication, notes the Mayo Clinic. Some of the more common medications are retinoids, antibiotics and corticosteroids. These topical solutions help to remove dead skin, reduce bacterial buildup and lessen inflammation. Each of these factors can exacerbate or encourage ingrown hair growth after hair removal.
Hair Removal
With more chronic ingrown hair growth, you may want to consider longer-lasting hair removal methods, suggests the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology. Both electrolysis and laser hair removal provide hair-free skin for prolonged periods of time, which completely eliminates the potential for ingrown hairs. Electrolysis uses electricity to destroy the hair follicle, causing permanent hair removal. Laser treatments use laser light energy to damage the follicles, resulting in long-term hair removal.
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