An ingrown hair can manifest as an unsightly and painful bump in areas where you've attempted to remove the hair. Shaving and waxing can often force hair into the skin, or break hair off below the skin's surface, resulting in hair that punctures the skin and grows incorrectly, notes KidsHealth.org, a division of the Nemours Foundation. Safely remove your ingrown hairs so you can relieve the pain and inflammation, and take greater pains to avoid getting ingrown hairs in the future.
Step 1
Apply a warm compress to the area where the ingrown hair is found. By running a washcloth under hot water and allowing it to cool slightly before applying it to your skin, you soften the hair and open the pores so the ingrown hair can be removed easily and safely.
Step 2
Sterilize a small needle and wash the area carefully with antibacterial soap. The needle can be sterilized by dropping it into boiling water for five minutes. Antibacterial soap should be used so you don't cause an infection. The area around the ingrown hair is considered an open wound, so the utmost care must be exercised to ensure that it stays clean and hygienic.
Step 3
Locate the small loop of hair that indicates an ingrown hair. It will be found on top of the red bump that you see on your skin. The ingrown hair is growing into the skin, creating an easily recognizable loop. Carefully pass the end of the sterilized needle through the loop, cautions MayoClinic.com.
Step 4
Lift the needle so the ingrown hair is lifted free of the skin. Avoid plucking the ingrown hair out altogether, which could result in further pain and inflammation. Apply a cool compress to the area to help with pain management and to reduce inflammation.
Step 5
Apply a small amount of first aid cream to the location of the ingrown hair and watch carefully during the healing process. If you notice redness, oozing or pain, it could be infected. Seek the help of a medical professional.
Step 6
Investigate other methods of hair removal. Shaving can be problematic, as dull razors can tear the hair and cause it to grow incorrectly, or you may shave too close, dermatologist Esta Kronberg tells MotherNature.com. Waxing can force the hair back into the skin. Plucking removes hair at the root, and is usually a good choice to help you avoid ingrown hairs in the future.
Things You'll Need
- Washcloth
- Water
- Pot
- Needle
- Antibacterial soap
- First aid cream
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