How to Get Rid of In-Grown Hair in Unwanted Areas
In addition to being unsightly and bothersome, ingrown hairs can become painful and inflamed. If not properly cared for, ingrown hairs can even result in an infection. To avoid additional discomfort, it is best to treat an ingrown hair as soon as it develops. After treating an ingrown hair, you can take additional steps to decrease the chances of future ingrown hairs. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Warm washcloth
- Mild antiseptic soap
- Witch hazel
- Cotton balls
- Non-comedogenic moisturizer
- All-natural exfoliant
- Needle
- Tweezers
- Antiseptic
Instructions
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Cleanse the area gently yet thoroughly, using a warm washcloth and mild antiseptic soap.
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2
Treat redness and inflammation by applying witch hazel to a cotton ball and dabbing it on the ingrown hair.
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3
Moisturize the area with a gentle, non-comedogenic moisturizer to prevent dry skin from forming around the hair.
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4
Gently exfoliate the skin surrounding the hair with an all-natural exfoliant such as a sugar scrub, glycolic acid wash or micro-bead formula. This will help to eliminate dead skin that may have accumulated and may be preventing the hair from growing out of the skin.
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Drain any pustule that has formed around the hair by carefully squeezing it with clean, dry fingers. When squeezing, try to get the ingrown end of the hair to break through the surface of the skin.
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Apply a warm, wet compress to the ingrown hair for 15 minutes.
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Sterilize a pair of tweezers and a needle with rubbing alcohol. Gently probe the ingrown hair with the tip of the needle, trying to guide the end of the hair up through the surface of the skin. Remove the hair with the tweezers when it does break through the surface.
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Apply an antiseptic, such as rubbing alcohol or peroxide, to a cotton ball. Dab onto the area where the ingrown hair was.
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For stubborn ingrown hairs that return, consider a permanent hair removal technique such as electrolysis.
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Tips & Warnings
Avoid shaving against the grain of you hair. Follow the growth pattern when shaving to prevent ingrown hairs.
Avoid tight-fitting clothes after shaving or waxing. Wear loose-fitting clothes that will not press the hair into your skin.
Visit your health care provider if the ingrown hair becomes warm to the touch and painful. These are signs of an infection, and treatment with a mild antibiotic may be required.
