How to Treat an Ingrown Hair

Shaving is one cause of ingrown hairs.

Ingrown hairs are hairs that grow back into the skin and cause irritation and possibly infection. Often, this happens after hair has been tweezed or shaved and is most common in people with tightly coiled hair. Improper shaving is one of the biggest reason for the occurrence of an ingrown hair. Pain and small bumps sometimes appear in the area around the ingrown hair but there are ways to treat an ingrown hair at home.

Instructions

1. Prevent the occurrence of ingrown hairs by keeping skin soft and hydrating your skin before you shave.

2. Avoid using a razor too roughly on the skin.

3. Wash the ingrown hair and surrounding area with a washcloth, making circular motions over the entire area.

4. Place a sterile needle under the loop of the ingrown hair and lift it gently up to release the hair.

5. Exfoliate the skin, using sugar, to ease the irritation and redness caused by the ingrown hair.

Tips & Warnings

• Consult with your physician if you think an ingrown hair is infected. Antibiotics and steroid creams may be necessary in severe cases.

References

• Ingrown Hair Facts: Ingrown Pubic Hair Treatment and Prevention
• Mayo Clinic: Ingrown Hair
• Medicine Net: Ingrown Hair