Ingrown pubic hairs are usually brought on by certain hair removal techniques. Both shaving and waxing can leave the hair so close to the skin that the tips of the removed hairs begin to grow back into the skin. This causes a foreign-body response around the site of penetration, resulting in a razor bump. To eliminate ingrown pubic hair and its associated papules, you can often turn to medications and self-care methods.
Step 1
Cease pubic hair removal. By continuing to shave, wax or remove the hair in your pubic region, you can often cause additional ingrown hair growth and aggravate any papules associated with this skin condition. Allow the lesions to heal before starting to remove hair again.
Step 2
Apply a topical corticosteroid to the ingrown hair each day. Creams containing cortisone lessen the inflammation caused by the embedded hair and improve the associated papule, explains the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology. However, Merck Manuals Online Medical Library recommends hydrocortisone. Either medication is beneficial.
Step 3
Rub a topical antibiotic into the razor bump. Like cortisone and hydrocortisone, creams containing antibiotics lessen inflammation associated with ingrown hair growth, notes the Merck Manuals Online Medical Library. Apply each day to reduce swelling and prevent infections.
Step 4
Guide the embedded tip out of your skin, recommends the American Academy of Dermatology. With a tweezers or needle, you can grasp or hook the curved shaft of the ingrown pubic hair and gently raise the embedded tip out of your skin. This causes the inflammatory response to subside and thereby lessens the swelling of the surrounding skin.
Step 5
Generate friction over the ingrown pubic hair. Friction from a toothbrush or washcloth can dislodge the embedded tip of the ingrown hair from the skin, explains the Mayo Clinic. Like using a tweezers or needle, this should cause the inflammatory response to subside and thereby lessen the swelling of the surrounding skin.
Step 6
Switch hair removal techniques. Sometimes, you can prevent ingrown hair growth by changing the method of hair removal. If shaving tends to cause ingrown hairs, turn to waxing or depilatories.
Tips and Warnings
- For moderate to severe inflammation associated with ingrown hair growth, your dermatologist may prescribe an oral antibiotic. Topical retinoids may also be used in more moderate to severe cases.
Things You'll Need
- Cortisone
- Topical antibiotic
- Tweezers
- Needle
- Toothbrush
- Washcloth
- Oral antibiotic (optional)
- Topical retinoid (optional)
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