Anytime you shave, the tip of each hair is sharpened. As the hair grows, there is a chance that the tip of the hair will penetrate the hair follicle wall or the skin. Once the hair penetrates one of these spots, it is considered to be an ingrown hair. An ingrown hair causes the surrounding tissue to become inflamed. This inflammation produces a blister- or pimple-like bump. Razor bumps, according to Skinsight, are actually ingrown hairs.
Treat the Bumps
Step 1
Wash the area around the razor bumps with an acne fighting soap or an antibacterial soap and warm water, recommends the Department of the Navy. Use a polyester web sponge to work in circular motions, which will loosen the hair. Do this once per day, preferably in the morning.
Step 2
Place a wet, hot washcloth on the razor bumps three times per day. Medline Plus states that these hot compresses will encourage the bumps to drain. If the razor bumps are located on a large area of the body, you can soak in a tub of warm water instead of using compresses.
Step 3
Apply hydrocortisone cream to the razor bumps to reduce inflammation and alleviate itching. It is important that you don't scratch the bumps if they itch because scratching will further irritate them and may break the skin and allow bacteria to enter.
Step 4
Exfoliate the affected area nightly using a glycolic acid based lotion.
Remove Ingrown Hair Tip
Step 1
Find the portion of the ingrown hair that is above the skin. This is called the hair loop. If you don't see the hair loop, the hair is considered embedded and the ingrown hair tip can't be removed.
Step 2
Slip a needle that has been sterilized in alcohol under the hair loop.
Step 3
Lift the needle gently away from the skin until the ingrown end of the hair slips out of the skin.
Step 4
Wash the face using an antibacterial cleanser. Dry thoroughly with a clean paper towel. Washcloths harbor bacteria and shouldn't be used to dry the area after the hair tip has been removed.
Step 5
Apply an over-the-counter triple antibiotic ointment or bacitracin ointment to the area according to the package directions. Because the ingrown hair tip left an open area when it was removed, the area may become infected. These products help to minimize that risk.
Things You'll Need
- Acne fighting soap
- Antibacterial soap
- Polyester web sponge
- Washcloth
- Hydrocortisone cream
- Glycolic acid based lotion
- Needle
- Triple antibiotic ointment or bacitracin ointment
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