Bad ingrown hairs are usually the result of shaving; however, they can also be caused by other methods of hair removal such as sugaring, waxing or plucking, notes Epigee. If the hair grows through the wall of the follicle or curves around and grows into the skin, it is considered ingrown. Bad ingrown hairs are usually extremely swollen and red, and they may hurt. Controlling the inflammation usually helps alleviate the pain and helps the bumps to heal faster.
Step 1
Wash the area affected by the ingrown hairs with warm water, a rough washcloth and an acne-fighting soap every morning, recommends the U.S. Department of the Navy. As you wash, rub the area in gentle circles using the rough washcloth. This may encourage the ingrown hair tip to come out and speed healing.
Step 2
Place a hot, moist compress on the bumps for 15 minutes, three times per day. This will help the bumps to drain, according to MedlinePlus.
Step 3
Treat the ingrown hair bump with 1 percent hydrocortisone cream to reduce inflammation and decrease itching unless the bump is in a sensitive area, such as around the eyes. Apply according to the manufacturer's directions.
Step 4
Lift the ingrown hair tip out of the skin using a sterilized needle once the hair loop is easily seen above the skin. Slip the tip of the needle between the skin and hair and lift gently until the ingrown end slips out of the skin. Once the hair is out of the skin, apply over-the-counter antibiotic ointment to the area to prevent infection.
Step 5
Apply glycolic acid lotion to the razor-bump-prone area before you go to bed each night to exfoliate dead skin cells in the area. This will reduce the likelihood of new razor bumps and help to get rid of current bumps by unclogging pores.
Tips and Warnings
- Stop shaving the area until the ingrown hairs are gone. If you must shave, the University of Mississippi Health Center recommends trimming hair no closer than 1/8 inch from the skin.
- Contact a dermatologist or your regular doctor if the ingrown hairs don't abate after using these self treatment methods. You may need prescription treatments such as antibiotics, corticosteroids or retinoids, notes MayoClinic.com.
Things You'll Need
- Rough washcloth
- Acne-fighting soap
- Hot, moist compress
- 1 percent hydrocortisone cream
- Needle
- Antibiotic ointment
- Glycolic acid lotion
Member Comments