When you shave your face, you are putting yourself at risk for developing ingrown hairs. People with curly hair, such as African Americans and Hispanics, have a greater risk of developing ingrown facial hairs. The Mayo Clinic states that African American men ages 14 to 25 are more likely to get ingrown hairs than any other group. You can help to minimize your risk of developing an ingrown facial hair by shaving with a single-blade razor, going with the grain of the hair. In most cases, if you do get an ingrown hair, it is possible to treat it at home.
Step 1
Treat the area using 1 percent hydrocortisone cream up to three times per day to minimize itching. It is important not to scratch the area because of the risk of infection. Use extreme caution if the ingrown hair is near your eye so you don't get hydrocortisone cream in your eye.
Step 2
Place a warm wet compress on your face three times per day, states Epigee. Ideally, you should leave it on your face 3 to 5 minutes.
Step 3
Wash your face using 10 percent benzoyl peroxide soap twice a day, according to Mother Nature. This helps to minimize the risk of infection.
Step 4
Remove the ingrown end of the hair once you can see a hair loop that extends out of the skin using a needle sterilized with alcohol. If the hair loop is under the skin, it is considered an embedded hair. Don't try to remove the hair until the hair loop extends out of the skin.
Step 5
Apply triple antibiotic ointment onto the area where the hair had grown into the facial skin.
Tips and Warnings
- Using a chemical hair remover, clippers or electric shaver to remove facial hair should be considered if you get ingrown hairs each time you shave. If you get ingrown facial hair while using these alternate methods, contact your doctor for prescription treatment options.
- Chronic ingrown facial hairs can cause permanent scarring or hyperpigmentation (darkening of the skin). As such, you should visit your doctor if you have numerous ingrown hairs each time you shave.
Things You'll Need
- Hydrocortisone cream
- Warm compress
- Benzoyl peroxide soap
- Needle
- Alcohol
- Triple antibiotic ointment
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