What Is an Ingrown Hair?

Ingrown hairs can be bothersome, especially if they are infected. If you experience irritation or pimple-like spots on the skin after shaving, you may have ingrown hairs that have become infected.

Types

Some ingrown hairs are a result of infection while others are simply a hair that curled back or never broke the surface of the skin. Infected ingrown hairs are known as folliculitis and are usually caused by staphylococcus, a bacteria that lives on the skin. Non-infected ingrown hairs are called pseudofolliculitis.

Identification

An infected ingrown hair can appear as a red spot or may have pus under the skin, giving it the appearance of a pimple. Non-infected ingrown hairs will sometimes appear as a pink spot with a dark center, although they can also just appear as a black or grayish spot on the skin. In some cases, the hair can be seen growing in a line under the surface of the skin from the point of origin.

Causes

Ingrown hairs occur when the hair follicle is blocked and the hair cannot break the surface. Shaving and friction from clothing can create follicle blockages, so it is not uncommon to find ingrown hairs where a person shaves or where clothing is tight against the body.

Effects

Non-infected ingrown hairs are bothersome, but harmless. They may itch. Infected ingrown hairs can spread to other hair follicles around it or can infect other body parts, such as the skin, liver or blood. They can be treated, but may return.

Prevention/Solution

Wearing loose-fitting clothing can help prevent ingrown hairs. Exfoliation, which is scrubbing the skin to remove dead skin cells, can also help prevent ingrown hairs. If you are prone to ingrown hairs in areas where you shave, shaving in the same direction as the hairs grow and moisturizing the area before shaving can help prevent ingrown hairs.

Resources

• Mayo Clinic, Ingrown Hairs: How do You Prevent Them?