When hair is cut or shaved near the surface of the skin, it may curl back toward and into the body and become ingrown. These ingrown hairs usually appear as red bumps and may be painful or itch. Black males and those with curly hair are most likely to develop ingrown hairs, according to the MayoClinic.com, but anyone who shaves or uses other methods of hair removal is at risk. Plucking can eliminate the symptoms of ingrown hairs, but improved hair removal methods are necessary to prevent a recurrence.
Step 1
Allow the ingrown hair to grow for several days to make removal easier. WomenFitness.net explains that longer ingrown hairs are easier to remove than shorter hairs.
Step 2
Soak a washcloth or small towel in hot water, wring it dry, and then hold it against the affected area for several minutes. This will help reduce inflammation around the ingrown hair, open up the hair follicle and make removal easier. The compress should feel very warm, but not hot, before application. Check for hot spots to prevent burns.
Step 3
Sterilize tweezers by pouring isopropyl alcohol over the tips and then allowing them to air dry. Using unsterilized tweezers increases the risk of introducing bacteria into the hair follicle where they can cause infection.
Step 4
Use the tweezers to grab the hair loop nearest to where it is embedded in the skin. Pull the ingrown portion of the hair out and away from the skin.
Step 5
Grab the hair shaft close to the skin's surface with the tweezers. Pull the hair and root from the hair follicle. This may cause temporary discomfort.
Step 6
Wash the affected area with a mild soap and warm water. Pat the area dry with a paper towel and then apply moisturizer or aloe to soothe irritation and inflammation.
Step 7
Avoid shaving the affected area until all inflammation is gone. Shaving too soon after removing the ingrown hair will delay healing and may cause infection.
Tips and Warnings
- The Nemours Foundation recommends exfoliating and moisturizing frequently to prevent the formation of ingrown hairs and to encourage existing hairs to turn out of the skin. Recurrent or severe cases of ingrown hairs may require treatment with retinoids or corticosteroid medications, explains the Mayo Clinic.
Things You'll Need
- Washcloth
- Tweezers
- Isopropyl alcohol
- Paper towels
- Moisturizer or aloe gel
- Soap
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