How to Dislodge Deep Ingrown Underarm Hair
Women often experience deep ingrown hairs in the underarm area a few days after shaving. When women shave coarse underarm hair, it often grows back in a tight, curly formation, which causes the tip of the hair to enter the skin. Sometimes a thin layer of skin grows on top of the looped ingrown hair, making it difficult to remove. According to Mayo Clinic, ingrown hairs can get infected, cause dark skin or even cause permanent scarring. Women can dislodge these ingrown hairs but should exercise caution when doing so to prevent scarring.
Things You'll Need
- Washcloth
- Toothbrush with soft bristles
- Exfoliating skincare wash
- Sewing needle or needle-nose tweezers
- Rubbing alcohol
- Cotton balls
Instructions
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1
Rub the ingrown hair vigorously with a wet washcloth or toothbrush. The Mayo Clinic recommends rubbing in circles for several minutes.
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2
Wash the area with an exfoliating treatment that contains exfoliating beads and salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide or beta hydroxy acids. According to healthy-skincare.com, exfoliating the affected area reduces razor bumps and keeps skin from growing over the hair follicles.
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3
Repeat Steps 1 and 2 as many times over the next few days as necessary. The ingrown hair will eventually surface. Do not move onto the next steps until a clear path to the hair is visible and a tool can reach the hair without penetrating skin, as this can cause permanent scarring.
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4
Disinfect a sewing needle or needle-nose tweezers with rubbing alcohol and a cotton ball. Alternatively, fill a shallow container with alcohol and submerge the tool in the container for at least 30 seconds.
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5
Sanitize the ingrown hair with a cotton ball and rubbing alcohol. Use the needle or one side of the tweezers to reach beneath the ingrown hair loop and lift the tip out of the skin. Do not pluck or otherwise try to remove the hair from the follicle.
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6
Wash the area with alcohol again and sanitize the tools with alcohol so they are clean for another use.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Never puncture or dig into the skin to release an ingrown hair. Wait until the washing and exfoliating processes remove skin above the hair and provide uninhibited access to the hair.
References
- Photo Credit John Foxx/Stockbyte/Getty Images
