Encountering ingrown hairs, especially after hair removal, is common but bothersome. Removing them can be tricky. Dermatologists suggest avoiding picking at ingrown hairs to prevent scarring or infection. Instead, let them heal naturally. Skincare routines with gentle exfoliation and anti-inflammatory products can help the healing process.
What Is Deep Ingrown Hair?
When a hair grows within rather than outward or above the skin, it is said to be ingrown. Deep ingrown hairs typically present as a red, elevated bulge that resembles a pimple. They may be unpleasant, painful, bloated, or itching.
Ingrown hairs can appear everywhere hair grows, including the face, legs, armpits, and pubic area. They frequently appear after shaving, plucking, or waxing.
Diagnosis:
Your doctor can probably identify ingrown hairs by examining your skin and learning about your hair removal routines.
How to Remove Deep Ingrown Hairs
You may have ingrown hair if your skin becomes irritated and itching shortly after shaving. Hair curling up and growing back or sideways into your skin causes ingrown hairs. Deep, ingrown hairs can occasionally persist for weeks or months and can be painful and irritating. Read this article if you have deep ingrown hair to learn how to remove ingrown hair and when you might need a doctor’s assistance. Here are different hair removal methods, let’s start.
- How to Remove Deep Ingrown Hairs At Home
- Use a washcloth to clean the area:
To remove the ingrown hair, gently clean the region with soap and water using a moist washcloth or a toothbrush with soft bristles. To relax the skin and liberate the hair, gently rub circularly. Exfoliating is not necessary since it could make the inflammation worse.
- Gently remove hair from the skin by using a needle.
By plunging a tiny needle into rubbing alcohol and letting it air dry, you can sterilize it. Use the needle to gently pry the hair upward if you can see the tiny loop of hair poking out of your skin. Apply a warm washcloth to keep your pores open while moving slowly.
- The aim is to remove the hair from your skin so that it can develop normally. The hair should come from under your skin if you can pull it out far enough. You no longer need to take any more action to address your ingrown hair.
- Just let the ingrown hair alone if you can’t see the little hair loop. You can try to pull the hair out with a needle if it eventually rises to the surface.
- Do not itch or pick at the ingrown hairs.
Despite the temptation, popping or bursting an ingrown hair might worsen it. Additionally, by opening up the skin that way, you risk becoming infected by microorganisms. If in doubt, don’t touch your ingrown hairs.
2. Medical Treatment
- If you have persistent or infected ingrown hairs, visit a doctor.
Ingrown hairs frequently don’t require concern. Make an appointment with your doctor if you get many ingrown hairs every month or suspect an infection. Pain, swelling, heated skin, and fever are all indications of infection.
- Utilize the retinoid your doctor has given.
Retinoid creams can assist in clearing your skin of dead skin cells, opening up your pores, and letting ingrown hairs grow out. Ask your doctor about a retinoid lotion like tretinoin if your ingrown hair is causing persistent irritation. Your doctor can advise you on how much cream to use and how frequently.
1 You must obtain retinoid cream from your doctor because they are only available with a prescription.
- Use a steroid cream to lessen swelling
Sometimes, ingrown hairs can swell up and become painful. Ask your doctor about a steroid cream to calm your skin if it is red or irritated. A steroid cream may often be used once daily to minimize swelling and irritation.
- It is an excellent alternative if your ingrown hair hurts or bothers you.
4. Use a cream with antibiotics to treat or stop infections.
Deep ingrown hairs that persist for a period may occasionally get infected. In particular, if the skin is damaged,to reduce the chance of infection, your doctor can suggest using an antibiotic ointment. . You could require oral antibiotics if your ingrown hair is already infected.
- Swelling, itching, redness, irritation, and warmth are symptoms of an infection. Make an immediate appointment with your doctor if you believe your ingrown hair is infected.
3. Prevention
Gently exfoliate your skin before you shave.
Dead skin cells can clog your razor bumps, increase irritation, and eventually result in ingrown hairs. Apply a chemical or manual exfoliation all over the region to prepare your skin before shaving. To avoid irritation, gently cleanse your skin in gentle, circular strokes with a washcloth and warm water.
Use a fresh razor
Ingrown hairs can develop due to dull razors’ tendency to pull or drag on the skin. Before shaving, put a fresh blade in your shaving razor or thoroughly clean the old one if it’s not disposable. Add a #1 shave guard to your electric razor to prevent shaving too near the skin.
- If you use a disposable razor, aim to switch out the blade every 5 to 7 shaves or even more frequently if you frequently have ingrown hairs.
- Clean the blade after three to four shavings if you’re using an electric razor.
- Before shaving, soak your skin with warm water.
Ingrown hairs are less likely while bathing in warm water since they open up your pores. Before shaving, you have two options: take a warm shower or soak a washcloth in warm water and apply it to your skin for a few minutes.
Shave in the direction your hair grows.
Ingrown hairs can result from the hair growing backward into the skin when combed against the grain. Instead, aim your razor in the direction your hair grows and try to stay in that general area. Your skin will appreciate it, and your shave will be much smoother.
5. As a final option, think about laser therapy
If ingrown hairs are a problem, consider laser hair removal. Unlike shaving or waxing, lasers target follicles to hinder regrowth. Results last for weeks to months, with finer hair returning. Note: Insurance rarely covers this cosmetic procedure.
- Depending on the region treated, laser hair removal may result in blisters or skin discoloration.
- The average cost per session for laser hair removal is $350 to $400. You could require several sessions if your hair is thick or you’re lasering a sizable region.
- Remember that light-emitting lasers can only target black hair; light-emitting lasers cannot remove hair that is white, blonde, or gray.
- People with lighter hair might consider electrolysis as a better option.
4. Drugs that help remove dead skin cells
Remove dead skin cells by(exfoliating) using a retin night, such as tretinoin. Results could become apparent in as little as two months. Retinoids may also aid in the restoration of any discoloration (postinflammatory hyperpigmentation). By reducing the curve of the hair, a glycolic acid-containing lotion lowers the risk of hair growing into the skin.
What Causes Ingrown Hair?
Ingrown hairs can result from various factors, some manageable and others not. Curly hair is more prone, as it can grow back into the skin instead of up. Bikini lines are common sites due to coarse, curly pubic hair. The right hair removal method matters: shaving very closely or tweezing can lead to ingrown hairs and irritation.
Can you get rid of ingrown hairs at home?
The good news is that ingrown hair outbreaks are not impossible to prevent. These unsightly lumps can be removed with a few easy home remedies.
Home remedy #1: Over-the-counter ingrown hair products
Skincare solutions with various components to treat ingrown hairs have emerged. Well-known online medicine and beauty businesses sell these goods.
These items include pads that gently exfoliate skin, lotions, toners, and serums. They serve as a milder substitute for conventional exfoliants.
Adapalene Gel, an over-the-counter retinol drug, is one beneficial item. Use this medicine to gently exfoliate affected regions of skin until ingrown hairs show up at the skin’s surface. The hair can then be delicately removed with tweezers.
Home remedy #2: Warm Compresses
Apply warm compresses, damp washcloth for 10 to 15 minutes, three or four times each day. Make sure it’s not leaking. By enabling your skin to open and drain if there is any pus present, warm compresses may help reduce inflammation and pain.
If the ingrown hair is visible once the skin has opened, it may be carefully grabbed with clean, angled tweezers, and the hair can be removed. Keep the area tidy and apply antibiotic ointment to hasten the healing of the skin.
Home remedy #3: Tweezing
Try tweezing the hair out if it is already noticeable and protruding out of your skin.
After washing the area with warm, soapy water and alcohol, carefully grab the hair with your angled tweezers. Use additional illumination, such as an LED ring light and a magnifying mirror, if viewing the area is difficult. It will enable you to grab the hair and protect your skin. You should not squeeze.
Avoid the urge to probe the region with a sharp tool and dig the hair out if it is beneath your skin. Scarring and infection may result from this. Please get assistance from a medical professional in this matter.
Home remedy #4: Gentle Exfoliation
Exfoliation should be used since it can cause hyperpigmentation and irritation and may not be particularly effective at treating ingrown hairs.
Preventing Ingrown Hairs
Ingrown hairs can’t always be avoided, but you may take precautions to lessen your risk of getting them.
- Reduce friction
- Leave behind the solid deodorant
- Don’t pull when shaving
- Follow “the grow.”
- Stop using shaving cream
- Maintain cleanliness
- Leave hair longer
- Lubricate
- Sharpen your razor.
Sum Up!
Although ingrown hairs might be upsetting, be gentle with your skin. A premature attempt to remove an ingrown hair might result in lifelong scars and discoloration.
Put down the tweezers and call your doctor if these DIY solutions don’t help. Ingrown hairs can be treated by a doctor, who can also provide tips on avoiding them in the future.
