How to Remove Ingrown Facial Hair

Ingrown facial hair occurs when a hair quickly grows back into the skin, causing pain, swelling and possible infection. Individuals with curly or kinky hair are more prone to the problem, although it can effect anyone. Ingrown facial hair can be an embarrassing and unsightly problem. You can, however, easily remove these stubborn hairs at home, as long as you haven't let the problem go too far. If the area appears to be infected, is causing extreme pain or you aren't able to remove the hair on your own, please consult your physician. Otherwise, this ingrown hair treatment should do the trick without an embarrassing trip to the doctor's office.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Facial cleanser
• Washcloth
• Tweezers
• Rubbing alcohol
• Mirror
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Moisturizer

1. Wash your face thoroughly with a gentle, natural cleanser and rinse with warm water. Hold a clean washcloth dampened with warm water against the ingrown facial hair to soften the follicle and make the hair easier to remove.

2. Sterilize a pair of tweezers by placing them in a container of rubbing alcohol and allowing them to soak for several minutes. Rinse the tweezers clean and then stand in front of a mirror where you can see the ingrown facial hair clearly. A magnifying mirror is ideal, but a regular bathroom mirror will work in a pinch.

3. Use the sterilized tweezers to gently remove the hair from the skin. Do not cut or dig in to the skin, as this can result in an infection. Instead, coax the hair from the follicle without causing damage to the skin. If this is not possible, you may need to visit a doctor to have the ingrown facial hair removed.

4. Wash your face again with the gentle cleanser and warm water once you've removed the ingrown facial hair to protect the area from infection. Dab a small amount of hydrogen peroxide on the area from which the hair was removed. Allow the peroxide to dry and then apply a gentle moisturizer to prevent drying and irritation.

Tips & Warnings

• Prevent ingrown facial hair by shaving with a fresh razor, keeping the skin clean and moisturized, and using a facial scrub a few times per week according to the manufacturer's directions.
• If ingrown facial hairs persist, please consult a qualified doctor or dermatologist for treatment.