- The exact definition of an ingrown hair is as follows: a condition in which one or several hairs grow backward or sideways into the skin. An ingrown hair does not break through the skin. They are often accompanied by a hair follicle infection (called folliculitis). They can occur anywhere on the body where hair is present, including the face, head, legs, chest and arms.
- Ingrown hairs resemble small bumps that are often red in color and look irritated. Occasionally, there is a presence of white or yellow pus underneath the skin's surface. If the skin is broken, the pus will seep out. Ingrown hairs can vary in size, but are almost always small (like a pimple) and sometimes hard to notice. If you experience a large ingrown hair, it is likely the result of a more infected hair follicle.
- There are several causes of ingrown hairs, but the most popular cause is shaving or waxing/tweezing. Basically, anything that breaks the hair off can result in an ingrown hair. Another leading cause of ingrown hairs is tight clothing that doesn't allow the hair to grow outward. On occasion, ingrown hairs occur naturally. This is a result of blocked pores caused by dirt or dead skin that force the hair to grow backward or sideways.
- Ingrown hairs aren't always preventable, but there are steps you can take to make them less likely to occur on your body. These include exfoliating your skin with scrubs (simply place a pinch of sugar in your normal body wash and massage into your skin), bath sponges and scrubs and alternating the direction you shave. Moisturize your skin after shaving or waxing and make sure you dry yourself well after bathing.
- The best way to treat an ingrown hair is to place a warm washcloth over the affected area. Let it set for 5 to 10 minutes. This won't get rid of the ingrown hair immediately, but the warm water will open your pore up and allow the ingrown hair to break free and/or grow forward again. You can also use creams that contain acids and take ibuprofen to ease any pain. Breaking the skin is not recommended as this can leave scars or increase the chances of greater infection.
