Ingrown Hair Health Video

Ingrown hairs occur as hairs with sharp tips grow sideways or into the skin often causing infection and/or pain. Learn more about ingrown hair including treatments and symptoms in this medical video.

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Keep the ingrown hair area clean
Change your razorblades frequently
Use sanitary practices while shaving
Avoid wearing tight clothing while you exercise

About this Author

Dr. Ulrich joined On Call Medical Group in 2006. She had previously practiced at Doctors Medical Center in Richmond, Calif., and prior to that worked with the uninsured and homeless population of San Francisco at the Haight Ashbury Free Medical Clinic. Throughout her medical career, Dr. Ulrich as also been involved in numerous medical research studies. Dr. Ulrich holds a B.S. from Harvard University, an M.P.H. for the University of California at Berkeley, and an M.D. from the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons.

SKYLAR ULRICH, MD: Hi. I'm Dr. Skylar Ulrich. I'm going to talk to you about ingrown hair. An ingrown hair is generally a hair which has grown underneath the skin instead of out of the hair follicle. The symptoms are a red, raised papule which may have pus at the site of the hair follicle. Treatment of an ingrown hair is to remove the hair that has grown underneath the dermis. This may require a small incision with a scalpel by a practitioner or it may be accomplished easily at home by using tweezers. It depends on the extent of the ingrown hair. Prevention of the ingrown hair is by making sure that the area where you are getting ingrown hairs is kept clean, that you change your razor blades frequently, and that you use good sanitary practices while shaving. Other ways to prevent ingrown hairs is to avoid shaving in areas where you may develop ingrown hairs. This is in the armpit and the groin typically. Avoiding very tight clothing during exercise will also help prevent ingrown hairs.

Ingrown Hair Health Video

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