If you recently shaved your beard or legs and now you're left with a big, red bump, you most likely have an ingrown hair. Ingrown hairs may form after shaving, particularly if the hair is curly or thick. When the hair begins to grow back, it may pierce the skin and grow underneath it instead of emerging out of it. If your ingrown hair is painful or infected, do not attempt to remove it yourself. However, if it's okay with your doctor, you can pull out an ingrown hair on your own.
Step 1
Place a washcloth soaked in warm water over the ingrown hair bump if you can't see the hair underneath, recommends dermatologist Rodney Basler, M.D., in The Doctors Book of Home Remedies. Remove the washcloth when the hair is visible inside the skin.
Step 2
Rub the ingrown hair bump with a toothbrush wet with warm water, suggests MayoClinic.com. Move in circular motions to help exfoliate the skin and bring the ingrown hair to the surface. Rub the area for several minutes.
Step 3
Pull out the hair with a sterilized sewing needle or a pair of sterilized tweezers. Use hydrogen peroxide or rubbing alcohol to clean the needle or tweezers, then carefully remove the hair from inside the skin.
Step 4
Apply a dab of 10 percent benzoyl peroxide gel to the area after removing the hair. Benzoyl peroxide has an antibacterial effect that will prevent infection, says Dr. Basler.
Tips and Warnings
- Consult a doctor if you get ingrown hairs every time you shave.
- To prevent infection, do not dig around inside the skin to look for the ingrown hair.
Things You'll Need
- Washcloth
- Toothbrush
- Sewing needle or tweezers
- Hydrogen peroxide or rubbing alcohol
- Benzoyl peroxide
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