Ingrown hairs are a painful irritation that frequently occurs in the bikini area. Friction from clothing and undergarments contributes to the development of ingrown hairs. Folliculitis is another name for the condition, according to University of Utah Health Care. It occurs most often when hair curves and re-enters the skin as it grows. Ingrown hairs appear as red, inflamed bumps that may crust over. Treatment involves exfoliation, creams to reduce inflammation and removal of the hair.
Step 1
Discontinue your current method of hair removal, whether it is shaving, tweezing or waxing, until the skin has healed and the ingrown hairs disappear.
Step 2
Exfoliate the affected area once a day, the Mayo Clinic recommends. Use a washcloth or soft brush to gently remove dead skin cells from the bikini area. Wipe in a circular motion with warm water, being careful to use gentle pressure to avoid further irritating the skin. When ingrown hairs occur, the skin often toughens, or crusts, over the hair. Exfoliation removes toughened skin. Cleansers that contain salicylic or glycolic acid may also aid skin exfoliation.
Step 3
Apply a topical over-the-counter cortisone cream to the bikini area. Cortisone cream is a steroid that will help decrease the redness and inflammation, allowing the hair to come through the skin. If the ingrown hair persists, a doctor will prescribe a prescription strength steroid ointment, according to the Mayo Clinic. Other medications, called retinoids, soften the skin and reduce any darkening or thickening of the skin that may occur if ingrown hairs occur frequently.
Step 4
Schedule an appointment with a doctor if the ingrown hairs persist. Picking at the bumps, or trying to remove the hairs yourself, may cause an infection that would require antibiotics and possibly could cause scarring. A doctor will use sterile instruments to remove the hair to prevent infection.
Tips and Warnings
- To prevent ingrown hairs in the future, use a good shaving cream and a new, sharp razor. Exfoliate the bikini area daily to keep skin soft and apply moisturizer regularly.
Things You'll Need
- Exfoliator such as a washcloth or soft body brush
- Cortisone cream
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