After shaving, you may notice inflamed, red bumps on your neck, chin or cheeks. These bumps, known as razor bumps or ingrown hairs, occur when the hair grows underneath the skin after it has been shaved. Ingrown hairs may occur often if you have a coarse or curly beard. In most cases, ingrown hairs do not require medical attention. In some cases, however, the ingrown hair may get infected and may require a doctor to remove it.
Step 1
Soak your face with a warm washcloth before shaving, which softens the hairs. Right before shaving, use the washcloth to rough up your face, making your whiskers stick up, suggests David Feingold, M.D., chairman of the Department of Dermatology at Tufts University School of Medicine.
Step 2
Remove ingrown hairs with a sterilized needle, suggests the Mayo Clinic. When a bump begins to develop on your skin, soak a needle in rubbing alcohol and hydrogen peroxide, then carefully remove the loop of hair from your skin. Dab the area with rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide after releasing the hair.
Step 3
Apply an aspirin solution to your face. You can purchase an aspirin solution to reduce ingrown hairs at the drugstore, or you can make your own solution by dissolving three aspirin tablets in a glass of water, then applying the liquid to your face once a day. Aspirin will help reduce inflammation on your skin, making ingrown hairs emerge from the skin.
Step 4
Consult a dermatologist about a topical prescription treatment. Your doctor can prescribe a corticosteriod medication to stop swelling, or a retinoid medication to encourage the exfoliation of dead skin cells.
Step 5
Get rid of the hair for good with electrolysis. A dermatologist can perform electrolysis on stubborn hairs that are constantly ingrown. Electrolysis destroys the hair follicle, preventing that particular hair from growing back, in most cases.
Tips and Warnings
- Shave with shaving cream or shaving gel instead of soap or water to prevent skin irritation, which can cause more ingrown hairs.
- Consult a doctor if an ingrown hair is filled with pus, exceedingly swollen or is causing you severe pain.
Things You'll Need
- Washcloth
- Needle
- Rubbing alcohol
- Aspirin
- Glass
- Corticosteroid medication
- Retinoid medication
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