How to Treat Ingrown Facial Hair

Ingrown hair, medically known as pseudofolliculitis barbae, commonly affects the beard area of the face. It occurs more with curly hair rather than straight. Once the hair curls, either under the skin or at the skin level, it continues growing under the skin. This produces redness, inflammation or infection. For chronic problems, a good treatment program that eliminates the hair ranks high in effectiveness.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Alcohol
• Cloth
• Tweezers
• Single razor
• Electric razor
• Depilatory cream
• Electrolysis
• Laser
• Antibiotic cream
• Moisturizer
• Conditioner

1. Let the facial hair grow longer to prevent curling into the skin. For a single hair, apply alcohol, then press a hot cloth to it before using tweezers to lift the hair out.
2. Change a blade razor from triple or double blade to a single one or opt for an electric razor for shaving to treat ingrown hair.
3. Use depilatory creams for temporary hair removal. These creams contain chemicals that burn away the hair but cause irritation for sensitive skin, so test a small area first.
4. See a dermatologist for permanent hair removal with either electrolysis or laser treatment. An epilator device eliminates follicle cells through electrolysis and laser light destroys hair follicles.
5. Shave in a direction different from regular routine, especially in areas that develop ingrown hairs.
6. Go to a doctor or dermatologist for an antibiotic cream when infection develops and apply to the facial area according to directions.
7. Apply moisturizers and conditioners to control the skin from drying. Facial hairs tend to grow away from conditioned skin.

Tips & Warnings

• Never squeeze an infected facial hair area.