Ingrown hairs characteristically display small, red, inflamed bumps of the skin. A curled hair, which may be difficult to locate, is in the center of the bump. The ingrown hair may have pus, be painful or itch, and is closely associated with shaving.
Causes of Ingrown Hair
Ingrown hairs appear after the hair shaft is shaved and the hair turns back near the follicle of the hair, becoming embedded beneath the skin's surface. Some new hair also remains under the skin's surface. This causes irritation of the skin, leading to ingrown hair.
Treatment
Allowing ingrown hairs to grow out on their own lets them resolve naturally. Use tweezers to gently remove the hairs out of the skin without plucking them out. Treat chronic skin problems with depilatory creams and electrolysis to remove the hair. Use antiseptics on the skin to help to prevent infections.
Prevention
To prevent ingrown hairs, do not shave. If you must shave, consider shaving with an electric razor. Instead of shaving foam, use gel; this lubricates the skin. Before shaving, moisturize the skin by washing it, which allows greater ease in shaving. Prevent hair from being cut too short by shaving in the direction of hair growth every time you shave. Do not use too much pressure or repeated strokes in the same direction. Exfoliate the skin to remove potential rough spots, preventing ingrown hairs. Healthy skin care habits also decrease the chance for ingrown hairs to occur.
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