Ingrown chin hairs happen when the hair is cut too close to the skin and curls back into the follicle as it grows. Ingrown hairs, also know as psuedofolliculitis barbae or razor burn, can be caused by shaving, waxing, tweezing and depilatory creams. There are several remedies for ingrown chin hair, but prevention is the best cure.
Prevention
The best remedy for ingrown chin hairs is prevention. Gently exfoliate your chin with a warm wash cloth to soften your skin and open your pores. Both dull razor blades and electric razors can cut the hair leaving a jagged edge, which will grow into an ingrown hair. Always shave in the direction of the hair and clean your chin well with witch hazel after shaving to prevent infection. Do not use petroleum-based shaving gels, which can clog your pores.
Three Day Clay Paste
Make a poultice with clay and a few drops of eucylptus oil. Apply at night to the ingrown hair and cover with a sterile bandage. Gently wash off the dried clay in the morning, being careful not to break the skin. Reapply three nights in a row, and on the third morning you should see a hair and a little pus emerge from the bump. Let the hair grow a little longer before removing to ensure it doesn't become ingrown again.
Using Tweezers
Sterilize a pair of sharp pointed tweezers, wash your hands with soap and water and clean the ingrown hair area with hydrogen peroxide to minimize the risk of infection. Gently squeeze the skin around the ingrown hair to push the bump forward and insert the tweezers into the skin until you can grab the hair. Yes, this hurts! Gently pull the hair in the direction of its growth and remove the hair and follicle. Clean the area again with hydrogen peroxide.
Exfoliation and Glycolic Acid
Exfoliate the skin around the ingrown hair using a loofah or a paste of sea salt and peppermint oil, which will help diminish redness. You are removing the dead skin cells around the hair, rather than removing the hair itself. Use an over-the-counter acne cream containing glycolic acid to help heal any irritation.
Permanent Solutions
If chronic ingrown chin hairs are a problem, you could consider laser hair removal or electrolysis. Electrolysis involves sending a small electrical charge down the hair shaft to kill the follicle. Both of these processes are time consuming, expensive and should be done by a professional, but can result in permanent hair removal and the end of ingrown chin hair.
Member Comments