An ingrown hair can occur anywhere a person shaves or waxes. Ingrown hairs are more likely to occur on areas where hair is particularly coarse or curly, say the experts at the Mayo Clinic. An ingrown hair grows underneath the skin after it is shaved, rather than emerging from the skin. It is possible to reduce the amount of ingrown hairs you get after shaving by using a new razor every time you shave.
Toothbrush
To help keep hairs standing up as they grow out of the skin, use a toothbrush to carefully remove dead skin cells and rough up the hairs, recommends the Mayo Clinic. Slowly stimulate the area by rubbing the toothbrush on the skin in a circular motion and continue for about a minute. The Mayo Clinic recommends using the toothbrush to stimulate your skin a few minutes before shaving and again before bedtime.
Sewing Needle
Use a magnifying glass or magnifying mirror to help track down ingrown hairs, recommends David Feingold, M.D., chairman of the Department of Dermatology at Tufts University School of Medicine. When you find a hair that is growing underneath the skin, use a sterilized sewing needle to carefully remove the hair from the skin. Dip an unused needle in hydrogen peroxide, then carefully slide the needle underneath the loop of hair and pull it upward to remove the hair from the skin.
Cool Compress
To help reduce swelling and irritation on the skin, which can cause hairs to become ingrown, apply a cool compress to the afflicted area immediately after shaving. Rinse a clean washcloth in cold water, then apply the washcloth to your face for several minutes. If the washcloth begins to get warm, wring it out and add more cool water. To prevent the spread of bacteria to the shaved area, do not reuse the same washcloth every day. Instead, use a clean washcloth that has been recently washed.
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