Ingrown hairs are a common nuisance, especially for those who regularly remove body hair. These unwelcome bumps arise when a hair, trapped within its follicle, curls back and begins to grow into the skin. Recognizing and addressing ingrown hairs effectively is crucial to prevent complications like infection and scarring. Understanding the causes and implementing preventative measures can significantly reduce their occurrence and severity.
Ingrown hairs typically appear as red, painful bumps, sometimes filled with pus. Unlike pimples, the trapped hair is often visible within the bump. Common areas for ingrown hairs include the face, neck, and pubic area, but they can occur anywhere hair is removed. While the temptation to pick at them is strong, it's best to resist, as squeezing or picking can worsen the condition and potentially lead to infection.
Exfoliating creams can be an effective tool in an overall skin care regimen for some people. They may reduce the likelihood of developing ingrown hairs, too. Exfoliating creams help by shedding the upper layer of skin, allowing trapped hairs to break through. Look for products containing alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) like lactic acid and glycolic acid, and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) like salicylic acid, that help skin cells shed more easily. Physical exfoliants, on the other hand, are scrubs that contain little beads or grains, which you rub into skin to manually remove dead cells.
Even if your ingrown hair isn’t infected, it’s important to take action now to soothe irritated skin so you may prevent infection from occurring. Certain body creams can potentially reduce irritation and inflammation. This may possibly reduce the risk of an infection. Consider products with one or more of the following ingredients: aloe vera, chamomile, colloidal oatmeal, and tea tree oil. Conversely, avoid creams with alcohol, dyes, and fragrances, as these can worsen symptoms and potentially lead to more ingrown hairs.
If an ingrown hair becomes infected, it's crucial to use antibacterial ointments. Signs of an infected ingrown hair include a large amount of pus, oozing, enlargement of the bump, increased swelling and redness, and pain and discomfort. Antibiotic creams treat mild infections caused by scratching. Neosporin, containing bacitracin, is a good option for topical application to red and inflamed ingrown hairs. It protects against infection, helps heal the skin, and can minimize the appearance of scars if used regularly.
Read also: Comprehensive Guide to Alopecia Areata Treatment Ointments
If you have an ingrown hair cyst that popped, don’t panic. Here’s what you can do:
Don’t try to drain the cyst on your own by squeezing your skin. Your provider will give you guidance on what you need to do next.
Hydrocortisone creams can help reduce inflammation and itching associated with ingrown hairs. Cortizone 10, made with 1% hydrocortisone and aloe, can soothe the skin. Fur’s Ingrown Concentrate contains tea tree oil, which has anti-inflammatory properties, and chamomile extract to minimize redness. Mario Badescu’s Drying Lotion, with salicylic acid and calamine, dries up ingrown hairs overnight and reduces redness and swelling.
Often used in hair removal, depilatory creams contain chemicals that help dissolve hair from their follicles. In theory, it might make sense to try depilatories to remove ingrown hairs, too. However, depilatory creams just don’t work in this way. In fact, the Food and Drug Administration advises against using depilatories on irritated or inflamed skin. Additionally, depilatory creams are known for side effects like burning and blisters. So, if you have ingrown hairs, you could cause further irritation to your skin by using depilatories.
Due to the delicate nature of ingrown hairs, it’s helpful to adopt hair removal strategies to try and prevent them. While it may be impossible to prevent them completely, the following tips can help reduce their number and severity:
Read also: Essential Microblading Aftercare
Ingrown hairs don’t require medical treatment unless they become infected. Signs of an infected ingrown hair include: a large amount of pus, oozing from the bump, enlargement of the bump, or increased swelling and redness, pain and discomfort, and if the ingrown hairs result in scarring. Treatments for ingrown hairs may include oral or topical antibiotics. Steroid creams can also help reduce pain and swelling. You might also consider seeing a doctor for ingrown hair treatment if the bump isn’t infected, but is otherwise extremely bothersome and hasn’t gone down with home treatments. In such cases, a doctor may be able to remove the trapped hairs to give you some relief. If you get frequent infections from ingrown hairs, your doctor may refer you to a dermatologist for help with hair removal. Some more long-term hair removal solutions include laser hair removal or electrolysis.
For those who experience frequent infections from ingrown hairs, a dermatologist may recommend laser hair removal or electrolysis. Laser hair removal slows regrowth and is a longer-term solution. Electrolysis targets individual hair follicles and can be performed on any color of skin and any size and color of hair. The destruction of hair follicles is permanent.
Cleansing and exfoliating are essential steps in preventing ingrown hairs. Use a face or body wash made with benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, or glycolic acid to reduce bacteria on the skin. Exfoliate between shaves to remove dead cells from the skin's surface, clearing the path for new hair to grow.
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