If you shave your armpits, you may find that you sometimes get ingrown hairs. An ingrown hair is a hair that has been tweezed or shaved that grows into the skin. These hairs are sometimes painful because the hair causes swelling and irritation of the skin. In most cases, an ingrown hair will improve over time; however, removing the hairs as quickly as possible may be necessary if the area is painful.
Step 1
Apply a wet, hot compress to your armpit to loosen the hair and follicle. Place a towel under hot water, wring the towel out a little bit and place it onto the ingrown hair. Do this at least three times a day to encourage the ingrown hair to heal, states Epigee, an online informational resource for women. This may be the only treatment you need to remove the ingrown hair.
Step 2
Sterilize a needle by placing it in rubbing alcohol for at least 15 minutes.
Step 3
Wash your hands using hot water and antibacterial soap. If you can't see the ingrown hair, ask a friend to wash her hands and remove the hair for you. Alternately, you can use a mirror to see the hair.
Step 4
Use the sterile needle to gently pull the ingrown hair out of the skin. Only do this if you can see the area of the ingrown hair that isn't in the skin. Don't try to pick the hair out of the skin, as this may irritate the skin more and may cause an infection.
Step 5
Resist the temptation to pluck the ingrown hair once you have removed the ingrown end. Tweezing it is likely to cause another ingrown hair when the hair begins to grow.
Step 6
Apply triple antibiotic ointment to the entire area to help prevent infection. If you are putting on deodorant, allow the antibiotic ointment to dry before applying the deodorant.
Step 7
Visit your doctor if the ingrown hair becomes infected. Signs of this include increased pain, and redness and heat around the hair. You should also visit your doctor if the ingrown hairs are chronic, meaning they form each time you remove hair.
Tips and Warnings
- Wear only loose fitting shirts after you shave. This will minimize the irritation of the area.
Things You'll Need
- Towel
- Needle
- Rubbing alcohol
- Antibacterial soap
- Triple antibiotic ointment
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