An ingrown hair causes blemishes or lesions that look like pimples or zits. This condition is also called razor bumps or pseudofolliculitis barbae. In men, it occurs primarily on the neck or beard area, states MayoClinic.com. For women, it may occur on the legs, underarms or bikini area. Because of the inflammation associated with this condition, itching and pain may occur. Many ingrown hairs will heal on their own; however, it is possible to speed healing.
Step 1
Stop shaving. The American Osteopathic College of Dermatology notes that the bumps should subside in three to four weeks. Once that happens, you can begin to shave again. If you must trim the hair in the area during that time, use clippers or scissors, but don't trim it all the way to the skin. Leave a little hair above the skin to minimize the risk of new bumps forming.
Step 2
Encourage the ingrown hair bump to drain by applying hot compresses to the area three times per day, recommends MedlinePlus. Place a towel in the hottest water you can stand and wring it out. Put this on bump for 15 minutes. If the towel cools off, place it back in the hot water, wring it out again and reapply.
Step 3
Tease ingrown hairs out of the skin by gently rubbing a toothbrush or washcloth over the area, suggests MayoClinic.com. Do this before bed and before shaving. If you notice the area becoming irritated, stop as irritation may make the ingrown hair bump worse.
Step 4
Check for a portion of the ingrown hair above the skin. If you can see a portion of the hair, use a sterilized needle to gently lift up the ingrown end of the hair, states MayoClinic.com. If you can't see the hair above the skin, don't try to dig it out. In this case, the hair is considered embedded and trying to dig it out may introduce bacteria and infection into the area and lead to scarring.
Step 5
Apply over-the-counter medications to the ingrown hair lesions. If the area itches, apply anti-itch cream. You can also apply an OTC antibiotic product to the area. If you need to apply both products to the lesions, wait at least four hours between applying each.
Things You'll Need
- Clippers
- Scissors
- Scissors or trimmers
- Hot compress
- Toothbrush
- Washcloth
- Needle
- Anti-itch cream
- Antibiotic product
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