How to Get Rid of Ingrown Hairs in the Underarm

Underarm areas are particularly prone to ingrown hairs since the hair that grows there is generally dense, coarse and often curly. If you shave, wax or use other hair removal methods on your underarms, you've likely experienced ingrown hairs there at some time. Thankfully, there are many things you can do to effectively get rid of ingrown hairs on your underarms. You can also take steps to prevent getting them in the future.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Washcloth
• Hot water
• Body scrub
• Loofah
• Acne treatment cream
• Hydrocortisone cream
• Antibacterial cleanser
• Toner or astringent

1. Apply a hot compress to your ingrown hairs. Soak a washcloth in hot water and place it on the ingrown hairs for 5 to 10 minutes. This will reduce swelling and draw pus out of them.

2. Exfoliate your underarms twice weekly. Regular exfoliation removes dead skin cells from the surface layer of your skin, thereby releasing hairs that may be trapped under the skin's surface. Use a loofah and body scrub to exfoliate your underarms.

3. Apply a thin layer of acne treatment cream to your ingrown hairs. Most acne treatment creams contain benzoyl peroxide. This effective ingredient encourages skin cell regeneration, thereby helping your ingrown hairs to reach the skin's surface more quickly. It also kills bacteria, which can worsen ingrown hairs.

4. Rub hydrocortisone cream on your underarm's ingrown hairs. Hydrocortisone cream will reduce inflammation and irritation, helping your ingrown hairs to clear up more quickly.

5. Cleanse your underarms daily using an antibacterial cleanser. If bacteria gets into your pores, it can seriously exacerbate your ingrown hairs by delaying the healing process.

6. Use a toner or astringent on your underarms. Choose one that is designed to prevent and treat ingrown hairs. Generally, such toners contain alcohol, which kills bacteria and encourages cell turnover.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not dig into your skin to find an ingrown hair. This can lead to scarring.