You may have a higher risk for ingrown hairs and related infections if your hair is naturally coarse or curly. These hair types are more likely to curl back into the skin when growing out after hair removal. An infected ingrown hair — also known as folliculitis — typically looks like a bump, a hard lump, or a cyst under the skin. All these things help coax ingrown hairs out of the follicle before they become inflamed or infected.
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When should I see my healthcare provider?
“I would recommend this be the first place to go for help with ingrown hairs,” says Dr. Bullard. Dermatologist Sherrie Bullard, MD, shares safe ways to get rid of ingrown hairs and how to prevent them from happening. Digging into the skin to pull the hair out can cause an infection.
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"I recommend the use of alpha and beta hydroxy acids to exfoliate your skin, followed by a light non-comedogenic oil-free moisturizer," Dr. Murphy-Rose adds. The results of electrolysis and laser hair removal are immediate. You can’t always prevent ingrown hairs, but you can take steps to lower the chances of them developing.
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Most ingrown hair infections resolve in time with good hygiene, and over-the-counter creams may also help. Picking at the hair can increase the risk of an infection spreading or worsening. If the infection becomes severe, a doctor may recommend antibiotics or other treatment. If ingrown hair infections recur or are severe, you may have an underlying condition that needs medical treatment.
Exfoliation should be approached carefully, as it causes inflammation, which leads to hyperpigmentation and may not be very helpful in resolving ingrown hairs. Apply a warm, moist — not dripping — washcloth for 10 to 15 minutes, three or four times a day. Warm compresses soften your skin and may help ease inflammation and discomfort by allowing your skin to open and drain if there’s any pus present. Scratching an itchy ingrowing hair should also be avoided. Also, people should wear loose clothing on areas surrounding the hair to avoid friction.
An ingrown hair looks like a raised, discolored spot on your skin. It’s a strand of hair that grows back into your skin after shaving, tweezing or waxing. Ingrown hairs can affect anyone, but they’re easy to treat and prevent with the right hair removal practices. If an ingrown hair becomes infected, the person may need to visit the doctor for treatment.
So the two of them will help ward off infection and reduce swelling when applied to your skin. To prevent scarring or infection, don’t pick at, scratch or pop your ingrown hairs. When this happens, the hair in the follicle can become stuck or grow sideways into the skin, causing an ingrown hair. In some cases, the hair can be seen growing under the surface of the skin.
Do home remedies for ingrown hairs work?
It also helps to keep your skin's naturally occurring oils in check. What if you’ve tried home remedies, and the ingrown hair just won’t go away? The ingrown hair may eventually make its way out of your skin. There are also situations where the hair will continue growing under your skin.
Preventing ingrown hairs can often be managed at home, though there are times when a visit to the doctor may be appropriate. If bacteria or other pathogens enter the skin, an infection can develop, leading to a painful bump. These usually resolve with good hygiene after a few days.
Contact your healthcare provider if you notice any signs of infection. Sometimes an ingrown hair is not infected, but it is very persistent. Retinoids can help remove dead skin cells more quickly than just washing and exfoliating. Every medical treatment option should be discussed with a doctor or dermatologist before use.
They also occur more often in men who shave their beards. Shaving and waxing creates sharper hairs that tend to get trapped in the skin. Home remedies can often treat ingrown hairs, even if the affected area becomes infected. Infections can occur if a person does not treat the hair or if they have a weakened immune system. Some doctors believe that ingrown hairs also cause pilonidal cysts.
If they persist, recur, or are severe, consider speaking with a doctor. Infected ingrown hairs can be uncomfortable, but most clear up on their own in 7–10 days with good hygiene. If your infection is mild or infrequent, you may be able to use home remedies. If infections recur or are severe, you may need medical treatment. People with high levels of certain sex hormones can have more hair than usual. This can make you more likely to get ingrown hairs, especially after shaving.
Hair structure and direction of growth play a role in ingrown hair. A curved hair follicle, which produces tightly curled hair, is believed to encourage the hair to reenter the skin once the hair is cut and starts to grow back. Shaving creates a sharp edge on hair, making it easier to pierce the skin. Typically, new hair grows straight out of the follicles in the skin. As the hair matures, it exits the skin’s surface and continues to grow.
Ambrosen recommends applying this mixture to already dampened skin for the best results. The beard area of your face (neck, cheeks and chin), legs, armpits and pubic area (bikini line and inner thigh) are most likely to develop ingrown hairs. When shaving, use a fresh razor that will make precise cuts.
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