Ingrown hairs are a result of hair removal gone wrong. Hairs grow through your follicles at an angle, becoming trapped and allowing bacteria to infect the follicle. Pain, swelling and pus discharge are associated with ingrown hairs. During the healing process, avoiding hair removal such as shaving is not always an option. Shaving with care will help your skin to heal while allowing your legs to remain hair free until the next hair removal.
Step 1
Soak your legs in warm water to open hair follicles and soften leg hair. According to QuickShave.com, soaking for 5 to 10 minutes will help remove the ingrown hair with less aggravation. You may use a mild bubble bath for added relaxation.
Step 2
Massage your ingrown hair with a bath loofah, in a circular motion. Exfoliating your skin will help coax the embedded hair out of your skin.
Step 3
Sterilize a needle or pair of tweezers with alcohol and gently slide the end underneath the embedded hair loop. Lift the hair gently until it releases from your hair follicle. Cleanse the area immedietly with antibacterial soap and warm water. "The Doctors Book of Home Remedies" suggests cleansing the affected hair follicle twice daily with antibacterial soap until the infection has cleared up.
Step 4
Apply a thin layer of shave gel to your legs. According to "The Doctors Book of Home Remedies", shave gel keeps a constant moisture barrier between your skin and the razor's blade, protecting the ingrown hair site from further damage.
Step 5
Shave your legs with the grain of hair growth. Shaving against hair growth can irritate and increase ingrown hairs. Use a single blade razor to avoid cutting hairs too far under the skin's surface.
Tips and Warnings
- Applying an over the counter cortisone cream after shaving helps reduce inflammation and pain associated with ingrown hairs.
Things You'll Need
- Warm water
- Loofah
- Tweezers or sewing needle
- Alcohol
- Antibacterial soap
- Shave gel
- Single blade razor
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