An ingrown leg hair occurs when the strand breaks off below the surface of the skin. Essentially, the hair begins to grown into the skin instead of protruding outward. This can cause an unsightly, and sometimes painful, bump. The ingrown hair may become inflamed or infected and it may itch. Preventing ingrown leg hairs can be done by shaving with proper equipment, such as a fresh razor and plenty of shaving cream, or minimizing friction from clothing. To treat an ingrown leg hair you must redirect the strand.
Step 1
Soak the leg in a bath tub of warm water. If you shave your legs, this is a great way to begin. Moist heat softens the skin to make shaving less irritating.
Step 2
Cleanse the skin with a body soap to remove any bacteria or other infectious particles. Rinse thoroughly and dry with a clean towel.
Step 3
Apply a small amount of salicylic acid to a cotton ball. Dab the ingrown leg hair with the cotton ball. This technique will help exfoliate the skin to make removing the ingrown hair easier.
Step 4
Use tweezers to grasp the hair and remove it from the skin.
Step 5
Wash the area with soap and water. Pat it dry and apply a thin layer of antibiotic cream to prevent infection.
Tips and Warnings
- Avoid shaving until the ingrown hair has improved. Wear looser-fitting clothes if the ingrown hair is the result of friction.
- An infected ingrown hair that does not clear up within a day or two should be treated by a doctor.
Things You'll Need
- Towel
- Soap
- Salicylic acid
- Cotton balls
- Tweezers
- Antibiotic ointment
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