Ingrown hairs cause painful and unattractive red bumps on the skin. The bumps occur when the tip of a hair becomes trapped under the skin, resulting in irritation and inflammation. People who have curly hair are more likely to develop ingrown hairs because the hairs curl toward the skin as they grow. Ingrown hair treatment involves releasing the tip of the hair, allowing the hair to grow normally. Several steps can be taken to prevent ingrown hairs from occurring.
Step 1
Soften inflamed skin by applying warm compresses to the affected area three or four times each day. Place a washcloth under warm water and apply it to the skin for 10 to 15 minutes. Softening the skin will plump up the skin and make removing a trapped hair easier.
Step 2
Release ingrown hairs by removing dead skin cells that can trap the hairs. Gently rub a washcloth over the area or use a battery-operated exfoliator to remove skin cells.
Step 3
Pour alcohol over a pair of tweezers and pull the tip of an ingrown hair from the skin. Use gentle pressure to pull the hair; stop the process if the hair does not easily lift from the skin.
Step 4
Apply ice or a cool compress to the skin after you release a trapped hair. Pass a washcloth under cold water for a few minutes to make a compress, and then place it on the skin for approximately 10 minutes.
Step 5
Wet your face or legs before shaving and use a moisturizing shaving gel or cream. Wet hairs are less likely to develop sharp edges that can grow back into the skin.
Step 6
Buy single-edge razor blades instead of double-edge blades. Shaved hairs are more likely to retract into the hair follicles after being held tightly by double-edge blades.
Step 7
Shave in the direction that the hair grows. Shaving with the hair growth puts less stress on the hair when it is shaved.
Tips and Warnings
- Use a moisturizer on your face after shaving, rather than an aftershave that contains alcohol. Alcohol can irritate the skin and close pores, encouraging ingrown hair growth. Exfoliate skin regularly to remove dead skin cells that contribute to ingrown hairs. See your doctor if exfoliation doesn't release trapped hairs, if you notice bumps filled with pus or if you experience ingrown hairs often. Chronic ingrown hairs can lead to infection, scarring or darkening of the skin, according to the Mayo Clinic. Try laser hair removal or electrolysis to permanently remove hairs that tend to become ingrown.
- Avoid waxing and tweezing hair if you are prone to ingrown hairs. As hair begins to grow again, it is more likely to become ingrown. Small pieces of hair can also break off during these procedures and begin growing into the skin.
Things You'll Need
- Washcloth
- Exfoliator
- Alcohol
- Tweezers
- Ice
- Shaving gel or cream
- Single-edge razor blades
- Moisturizer
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