When a hair curves back and grows into the skin, you develop what is known as an ingrown hair. Commonly referred to as a razor bump, or pseudofolliculitis barbae, this inflammatory condition is often a result of shaving, waxing and even plucking. The body no longer distinguishes the hair as its own, triggering an immune response that causes the development of a red, swollen bump around the opening of the follicle. Treating this condition relies heavily on simple skin care techniques, but you may also need to seek medical intervention when ingrown hairs become a chronic problem.
Step 1
Apply a heated cloth to the face to encourage the drainage of pus from infected ingrown hairs, speed healing and soothe the skin, notes the National Institutes of Health. The Mayo Clinic recommends doing this several times throughout the day. Apply cloth for five to 10 minutes each time.
Step 2
Avoid hair removal to allow hair to grow. This forces the ingrown portion of the hair to dislodge from the skin, asserts to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology, and thereby improves the razor bumps in upwards of a month.
Step 3
Apply a topical medication. Both the Mayo Clinic and the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology recommend topical solutions that contain antibiotics, retinoids, alpha hydroxy acids or corticosteroids. These active ingredients can promote healing, kill bacteria and remove dead skin, which can all help to treat ingrown hairs.
Step 4
Dislodge the tip of the hair manually with a needle, tweezers or even a soft-bristled brush. With needles and tweezers, simply lift the ingrown portion of the hair away from the skin. Sweep a brush in circular motions over the ingrown hair to free the tip from the skin.
Tips and Warnings
- To prevent ingrown hairs on the face, always shave in the direction of hair growth, according to the Mayo Clinic, American Academy of Dermatology and American Osteopathic College of Dermatology. You should also heat and wet the face prior to shaving as well as use a shaving gel on the skin. Recurring ingrown hairs may require you to change to an electric razor, which tends to leave shorn hairs longer than shaving with a razor blade. Longer hairs are less likely to grow back into the skin, advises the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology. If you use a razor blade, switch out the razors regularly. Dull razors can leave the tips of the hairs jagged and sharp, promoting ingrown hair growth. Consider using a depilatory to remove facial hair if other techniques fail to provide results. However, do not use these chemical agents on ingrown hairs. They may exacerbate the problem.
- The American Osteopathic College of Dermatology claims depilatories can also cause chemical burns and skin irritation, especially in people prone to razor bumps.
Things You'll Need
- Washcloth
- Topical creams
- Tweezers
- Needle
- Soft-bristled brush
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