Ingrown hairs can form red, irritated bumps that occur when a recently shaved hair grows back beneath the skin. Ingrown hairs occur most often in men and women with particularly coarse, curly hair. If your ingrown hairs are a recurring problem, you can reduce the amount you get by changing your shaving habits. To get rid of ingrown hairs that are already established, you can remove them for free with items you may already have around the house.
Step 1
Wash the problem area thoroughly with soap and warm water before shaving, recommends Jerome Z. Litt, M.D., a dermatologist at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland. Getting the area warm and sudsy will help soften the hairs and remove dead skin cells.
Step 2
Shave in the direction your hair grows. Avoid pulling your skin tight while shaving, suggests the Mayo Clinic. Shaving against the grain can cause skin irritation, which may cause hairs to grow inside the swollen skin.
Step 3
Apply a warm washcloth to the face for several minutes to encourage ingrown hairs to emerge from the skin. As you soak your skin, ingrown hairs will become more visible, even if they are stuck beneath the skin's surface.
Step 4
Use a sterilized needle to pull the hair out of the skin gently, says the Mayo Clinic. Soak a needle in hydrogen peroxide for several minutes. Place the needle beneath the hair. Gently, raise the needle to remove the loop of hair from the skin.
Step 5
Apply a cold compress to the problem area after shaving. Wet a washcloth with cold water; apply it directly to the skin for five minutes after shaving. A cold compress will reduce swelling and irritation of the skin and keep ingrown hairs from forming.
Tips and Warnings
- Using shaving gel or shaving cream can help reduce shaving irritation that causes ingrown hairs.
- Consult a doctor if you have an ingrown hair that is exceedingly painful or filled with pus.
Things You'll Need
- Soap
- Razor
- Washcloth
- Needle
- Hydrogen peroxide
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