If you shaved to get smooth skin, but you ended up with a big, red bump, you may have an ingrown hair, also known as a razor bump. Ingrown hairs may pop up on the skin after shaving, tweezing or waxing, and may become red, irritated and painful. After the hair is removed, it may curl back under the skin as it grows, causing a bump. If you have a stubborn ingrown hair, you can remove it at home if your doctor approves.
Step 1
Rub the razor bump with a clean washcloth soaked in warm water, says MayoClinic.com in the article "Ingrown Hair." Massage the area in a circular motion for several minutes, until the hair emerges from the skin. The warm water will help soften the skin while the washcloth aids in skin exfoliation.
Step 2
Use a magnifying glass to spot the ingrown hair, says David Feingold, M.D., chairman of the Department of Dermatology at Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston in "The Doctors Book of Home Remedies."
Step 3
Sterilize a pair of tweezers with rubbing alcohol, then carefully remove the ingrown hair from the skin, says Dr. Feingold. If possible, do not scrape or pinch the skin, as it may cause infection.
Step 4
Place an over-the-counter or prescription corticosteroid cream over the bump to reduce swelling and irritation. You can purchase corticosteroid cream at the drugstore, or obtain a prescription from your dermatologist.
Step 5
Rinse a washcloth in cool water and apply it to the afflicted area after shaving to prevent future ingrown hairs, says MayoClinic.com.
Tips and Warnings
- Use a sterilized needle to carefully remove stubborn hairs that cannot be removed with tweezers.
- Consult a doctor if your ingrown hair is infected or increasingly swollen.
Things You'll Need
- Washcloth
- Magnifying glass
- Tweezers
- Rubbing alcohol
- Corticosteroid cream
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