Ingrown hairs and bumps happen when a hair that has been shaved, waxed, tweezed or removed using any hair removal method begins to grow into the skin. The ingrown hair irritates the skin, which causes the body to try to push the hair out of the skin. As the body fights the hair, pus forms and the area becomes inflamed, forming the bump. To get rid of the bump and ingrown hair, you must control the inflammation and release the ingrown end of the hair from the skin.
Step 1
The U.S. Navy recommends rubbing the bump caused by the ingrown hair with a dry, rough washcloth to try to tease the ingrown hair out of the skin. Use soft, circular motions so you don't irritate the skin too much.
Step 2
Encourage the bump to drain by placing a warm, wet compress on it, according to Medline Plus. Keep the compress on it for at least five minutes, three times per day. The moist heat from the compress encourages the inflammation to decrease while it encourages the pus to rise to the surface of the skin. As the pus rises to the surface, it will begin to push the ingrown hair toward the surface, too. Eventually, the pus will break through the skin and drain.
Step 3
Wash the bump with an anti-acne or antibacterial wash. This will help to minimize the risk of bacteria causing the area to become infected.
Step 4
Minimize the inflammation by placing 1 percent hydrocortisone cream on the bump. This is an over-the-counter medication, available at some grocery stores, pharmacies and many retailers that sell first aid supplies. Follow the manufacturer's directions. Use care if your ingrown hairs are near the genital area or the eyes. Additionally, hydrocortisone cream may lighten hair color, so use caution if the bumps are near other hairs.
Step 5
Reduce the risk of infection by applying triple antibiotic ointment to the bumps.
Tips and Warnings
- Let the hair in the area grow while you are treating the ingrown hairs, recommends the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology. If this isn't possible, trim the hair no closer than 1/8 inch from the surface of the skin.
- If you are using hydrocoritsone cream and antibiotic ointment, don't apply them within two hours of each other. Don't try to dig ingrown hairs out of your skin as digging may cause infection or scarring. However, if the hair is visible above the skin, you can use a toothpick to lift the tip of the hair out of the skin. Contact a dermatologist if your ingrown hairs don't respond to home treatments or if they occur each time you shave. You may need to use prescription products to control the bumps.
Things You'll Need
- Washcloth
- Compress
- Anti-acne or antibacterial wash
- Hydrocortisone cream
- Antibiotic ointment
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