Ingrown hairs are inflamed hairs that have grown back into the skin after they have been removed. They often develop after epilation--procedures that remove hair from the root, such as waxing, tweezing, chemical epilation or electronic epilators. In fact, epilation may be more like to cause ingrown hairs than shaving, because shaving leaves more of the hair intact and outside of the skin.
Ingrown hairs are most common among people with tightly coiled, curly hair, according to New York-Presbyterian Hospital, although they can affect anyone. They are painful and itchy and often cause red bumps to appear. Luckily, there are ways to prevent them from appearing in the first place, and treatments are available that can help existing ingrown hairs heal faster.
Step 1
When possible, use laser hair removal instead of other approaches, as this prevents hair from growing back so that it cannot become ingrown. Another possibility is simply not to get rid of hair, as ingrown hairs only develop after they have been plucked or otherwise removed.
Step 2
Massage the inflamed area using a washcloth or soft-bristled toothbrush in a circular motion for several minutes before shaving and at bedtime, as this exfoliates the skin and makes it less likely for hair to become trapped. It may also help to scrub the area in the shower with an exfoliating sponge or loofah. If ingrown hairs persist, you can use a sterile needle to gently lift hair tips embedded in the skin by inserting the needle under the hair loops.
Step 3
Use a prescription cream containing one of the following ingredients, according to the Mayo Clinic:
Tretinoin or retinoic acid creams (Retin-A): They remove dead skin cells from the skin's surface and make hair less prone to becoming ingrown. Exfoliating creams containing glycolic or salicylic acid may also help, according to Cosmopolitan.
Corticosteroids: They can help alleviate the painful inflammation associated with ingrown hairs.
Topical antibiotic creams or oral antibiotics: They can prevent infections from developing due to scratching the infected area.
Tips and Warnings
- Self-tanners can help cover up the appearance of ingrown hairs.
Things You'll Need
- Soft-bristled toothbrush or washcloth
- Sterilized needle
- Prescription creams containing tretinoin (Retin-A), corticosteroids or antibiotics
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