Ingrown hairs occur when a shaved hair curls back toward and into the skin. Irritation and inflammation develop at the site of the ingrown hair, leading to infection and causing itching and pain. MayoClinic.com states that black males between the ages of 14 and 25 are most likely to develop ingrown hairs, but the condition can occur in anyone of any age. Pubic hair is more likely to become ingrown than body or head hair because it is coarser and curlier.
Removal of the Ingrown Hair
Removal of the ingrown hair is essential to treating infection. Apply a warm compress to the area to soften the skin and hair. After 10 to 15 minutes, insert a sterile needle under the ingrown hair loop, and then gently lift the hair out of the skin, MayoClinic.com recommends. Cut the freed hair as close to the skin as possible. Clean the affected area with an antiseptic immediately after removing the ingrown pubic hair twice a day until the infection clears.
Topical Treatments
Minor infections may be treated with over-the-counter or prescription topical medications. Corticosteroid creams can reduce the itching and inflammation that occur with infected ingrown hairs, and topical antibiotics can treat infection in the top layer of the skin. Retinoid creams, such as tretinoin, are helpful for removing dead skin cells and encouraging ingrown pubic hairs to pop out of the skin.
Oral Medications
More severe cases typically require a full course of oral antibiotics to treat existing infections and prevent new infections from occurring before the ingrown hair is completely healed. According to the Nemours Foundation, ingrown hairs most commonly become infected with bacteria called Staphylococcus aureus. Without treatment, these bacteria may spread to surrounding skin and lead to more serious infections, such as cellulitis.
Lifestyle Changes
To encourage healing and prevent further cases of ingrown pubic hair, the Palo Alto Medical Foundation recommends allowing the pubic hair to grow for several weeks before shaving or tweezing again. Exfoliating weekly, changing razor blades as soon as they become dull or dirty, using shaving gel, and soaking the pubic area for several minutes prior to hair removal will all reduce skin irritation and prevent the formation of new ingrown hairs.
Wearing loose clothing and underwear is also beneficial, as tight clothing can press the pubic hair against the skin and increase the likelihood that it will become ingrown. Recurrent infections may be treated with permanent hair removal procedures.
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