You are at risk for developing an ingrown pubic hair if you shave your pubic hair or trim it very short. The pubic area is one of the most common areas for women to get ingrown hairs, according to the Mayo Clinic. An ingrown pubic hair looks similar to a pimple. It may be painful, red and itchy. Treating an ingrown pubic hair should be started as soon as you notice it.
Soaking
Soaking in a bathtub of warm water for 10 minutes a day, three times a day, can help to soften the ingrown pubic hair and help it to heal. If you can't soak in the tub three times a day, you can apply a warm, wet compress to the area instead of soaking. When you do this, you may have to re-wet the compress if it starts to get cold.
Loose Clothing
Clothing that rubs against the ingrown pubic hair can irritate it and make the healing process take longer. Epigee.org recommends wearing loose clothes. Loose cotton undergarments and loose pants or skirts should be worn. Place a loose bandage over the ingrown hair to minimize the amount of rubbing irritation if you must wear tight clothing over the area.
Hydrocortisone
Ingrown pubic hairs may itch, but scratching them can introduce bacteria into the area and increase the time it takes to heal. You can apply 1-percent hydrocortisone cream to the ingrown hair to help minimize the itching. This cream is available over-the-counter. Follow the manufacturer's directions, as these may vary slightly from one product to another.
Antibiotic Ointment
If the ingrown end of the hair has been removed or if it comes out on its own, applying an over-the-counter antibiotic ointment can help to reduce the risk of infection, or folliculitis. Palo Alto Medical Foundation recommends applying the antibiotic ointment two to three times per day.
Pull the Ingrown Hair Tip Out of the Skin
You can use a sterilized needle or tweezers to pull the ingrown end of hair out of the skin if you can see the ingrown hair above the skin. When you do this, be sure to only pull out the ingrown end of the hair. You don't want to pull the hair out of the natural follicle, as doing so would increase your risk of getting an ingrown hair in the same area as the hair grows back.
Prescriptions
Prescription treatment is sometimes needed for ingrown hairs. If you suffer from chronic ingrown hairs or have numerous ingrown hairs, you should speak to a dermatologist to determine if you need prescription treatments. Corticosteroids, antibiotics and retinoids are some of the prescription treatment options listed by the Mayo Clinic.
Cosmetic Treatments
Laser treatments and electrolysis can be used to treat ingrown hairs. Laser treatments can destroy the hair follicles. The ingrown hairs are removed, and if the procedure is successful, the hairs won't be able to grow back again. Laser treatments may also help to reduce scars that are the result of ingrown hairs. Electrolysis is a cosmetic procedure that can help to reduce the risk of getting ingrown hairs. With this treatment, a small metal probe is placed into the hair follicle to introduce a mild electric charge that will destroy the hair and the follicle.
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