The intent of hair removal is to leave skin smooth. Occasionally, shaving, tweezing or waxing leaves red, painful bumps that can be uncomfortable and embarrassing. The bumps are ingrown hairs, or hairs that curl and regrow back into the skin rather than through the surface. Careful hair removal can help prevent hairs from becoming ingrown.
Appearance
Ingrown hairs look like small, red bumps, often with a small loop of hair protruding from the center, explains the Ingrown Hair Association website. The ingrown hair may be itchy or painful and the area may be inflamed. The skin near the hair may be darker in color and the bump may become filled with pus.
Cause
Improper shaving causes most ingrown hairs, says IHA, although waxing and tweezing causes them, too. During shaving, for example, you stretch your skin taut while cutting the hair. As you release the skin, the newly cut hair draws back beneath the skin surface. Tweezing and waxing damage the hair follicle and leave a small piece of the hair behind, which can remain beneath the skin. If hair is coarse and curly or if the cut hair has an especially sharp edge or you've shaved your skin when it was dry, the hair may curl back and grow into the skin rather than up and out, explains MayoClinic.com. An accumulation of dead skin cells may also lead to ingrown hair, notes the IHA. If skin is not exfoliated, the dead cells may block follicles and prevent the hair from growing out.
Risk Factors
Anyone can develop an ingrown hair, but it is most common among African-American men, says MayoClinic.com. In men, ingrown hairs appear most often on cheeks, chins and necks. In women, common sites of ingrown hairs include the armpits, legs and pubic area. Men who shave their heads may find ingrown hairs on their scalps. Teens are also prone to ingrown hairs, says the IHA. Ingrown hairs usually occur only after puberty.
Prevention
Practice proper shaving techniques to reduce your risk of developing an ingrown hair, suggests MayoClinic.com. Dampen your skin with warm water before shaving and use a lubricating gel. Choose single-blade razors because those with double blades stretch the hair before cutting, raising the risk of an ingrown hair. Shave in the direction of hair growth and avoid pulling your skin tight. Consider using an electric razor or having laser hair removal.
Treatment
Ingrown hairs rarely require medical attention, says MayoClinic.com. Treat an ingrown hair by gently washing the area with a washcloth or soft-bristled toothbrush, using a circular motion. You may also insert the tip of a sterile needle through the loop of hair and gently pull the hair free of your skin. IHA recommends exfoliating your skin with gentle scrubbing to release the ingrown hair. Over-the-counter acne medications containing salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide may help reduce the inflammation around the hair. Warm compresses, mud packs, aloe vera or honey may help soothe the pain and itching. See your health care provider if the area becomes infected, if you have chronic ingrown hairs or if excessive hair growth is a concern.
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