If shaving your beard leaves behind a mass of red, swollen bumps, you are suffering from ingrown hairs. Ingrown hairs can affect anyone who shaves, but are most common among black men age 14 through 25, says MayoClinic.com in the article "Ingrown Hair." Ingrown hairs may also occur after waxing or tweezing facial hair. To get smooth, blemish-free skin, use home remedies if your doctor approves. If you are unable to reduce ingrown hairs with home remedies, contact a dermatologist.
Step 1
Stop shaving and allow your beard to grow out, recommends the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology. As the hairs grow longer, they will become less likely to poke into the skin and become ingrown.
Step 2
Brush your beard with wet toothbrush, in a circular motion, before shaving, recommends MayoClinic.com. Continue for several minutes and repeat before bed each night to exfoliate the skin and help remove ingrown hairs.
Step 3
Remove ingrown hairs from the skin with a sterilized sewing needle. Poke the needle underneath the hair loop, then carefully pull it out of the skin. Removing the hairs will reduce razor bumps and allow the skin to heal properly.
Step 4
Apply an over-the-counter or prescription corticosteroid medication to the skin right after shaving. Corticosteroid medication helps soothe skin irritation and reduce swelling, which prevents hairs from becoming ingrown.
Step 5
Take antibiotics to reduce infection, if necessary. If your ingrown hairs become infected, your doctor may prescribe a topical or oral antibiotic medication. Antibiotic medications will reduce bacteria on the skin, healing ingrown hair bumps.
Tips and Warnings
- Laser hair removal is a viable option for individuals who cannot shave due to ingrown hairs.
- Call your doctor if your ingrown hairs are infected or severely swollen.
Things You'll Need
- Toothbrush
- Sewing needle
- Corticosteroid medication
- Antibiotic medication
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