Ingrown hairs, or pseudofolliculitis barbae, affects nearly 60 percent of African-American men and other people who have curly hair, according to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology, or AOCD. They're also often referred to as razor bumps and develop when very curly hair curls back into the follicle and grows under the skin. In some cases, inflammation, hard bumps or keloidal scars may develop. The best cure is prevention by not shaving your hair. However, once you have them, you can improve their appearance and reduce your pain and frustration.
Step 1
Gently scrub the affected area using warm water and a washcloth, fine-grain facial scrub or toothbrush with soft bristles. Use a circular motion and scrub for three or four minutes before shaving or going to bed, advises the Mayo Clinic.
Step 2
Sterilize a needle with an alcohol solution. Gently lift the end of the ingrown hair by inserting the needle into the hair loop, recommends the Mayo Clinic.
Step 3
Allow the hair to grow out, if it's not mandatory for you to shave. Do not pluck or tweeze or wax because these methods often make ingrown hairs worse, explains Harvey H. Jay, an assistant professor of dermatology at Weill Cornell Medical School.
Step 4
Apply a prescription medication that will help your skin and bumps heal quickly such as antibiotic gels, a glycolic acid lotion or Retin-A cream, advises the AOCD.
Step 5
Keep your skin well moisturized at all times to soften it and make it more easily penetrable for your hair.
Tips and Warnings
- To prevent ingrown hairs from recurring, avoid shaving every day. Always prepare your skin for shaving by applying a pre-shave solution to soften hair and then a lubrication gel or oil, recommends the AOCD. Avoid shaving every day, shaving too closely or going over the same area several times. Do not stretch your skin when you're shaving. If you have to shave---for instance, for your job or you're an athlete---consult a dermatologist about hair removal treatments such as laser or electrolysis.
- If you try a chemical shaving product, shaving powder or depilatory cream, wait until your skin has healed from the ingrown hairs. Otherwise, these products will irritate your skin.
Things You'll Need
- Washcloth
- Toothbrush
- Needle
- Alcohol solution
- Antibiotic gel
- Glycolic acid lotion
- Retin-A cream
- Pre-shaving gel
- Shaving oil or cream
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