Buzz
Ingrown hairs can cause discomfort but are usually not a serious issue. They often form small bumps (papules) or pus-filled swellings (pustules). Although irritating, ingrown hairs typically heal on their own with proper care. You can remove ingrown hairs to speed up the process. While you shouldn't pick at the hair, you can try to bring it to the surface for removal. However, consult a doctor if signs of infection appear.
Steps
Caring for Ingrown Hairs
Avoid hair removal in the bikini area until the ingrown hair heals. Refrain from touching the affected area to prevent further irritation or infection. When you notice an ingrown hair, stop shaving, waxing, or plucking in the bikini area. Allow the hair to grow until the ingrown hair issue resolves.
- You might not be used to letting your bikini hair grow freely, but this approach will help you address ingrown hairs much faster.
- Most ingrown hairs heal on their own within about a month. However, you can remove them more quickly by bringing the hair to the surface.
Avoid picking at ingrown hairs as this can lead to infection. While most ingrown hairs don't cause infections, the risk increases if the skin is torn. Leave the affected area alone to prevent unintentional skin damage.
- You might feel tempted to try and dig out the hair, but this will only worsen the situation.
Apply a small amount of hydrocortisone cream to relieve itching if there are no signs of infection. Ingrown hairs often cause itching, but try not to scratch to avoid breaking the skin. Instead, use a thin layer of over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream to soothe the itch. You can apply it up to 4 times a day.
- Hydrocortisone cream is not safe to use on infected skin. Consult a doctor if you notice pus, swelling, or other signs of infection.
- Read and follow the instructions on the label to avoid overuse.
Alternative Products: Instead of hydrocortisone cream, you can try witch hazel, aloe vera, or benzoyl peroxide. These products also help reduce itching but may not be as effective as hydrocortisone cream.
Apply antibiotic cream to the ingrown hair daily to prevent infection. Ingrown hairs take much longer to heal if they become infected. To prevent this, use an over-the-counter antibiotic cream 1-2 times a day to keep the area clean.
- You can find antibiotic creams at pharmacies or purchase them online.
Bring the hair to the surface
Apply a warm compress for 15 minutes to bring the hair to the surface. Soak a washcloth in hot water, wring it out until damp, and place it on the ingrown hair for up to 15 minutes. Repeat up to four times daily if needed. This method helps the hair rise to the skin's surface.
Gently massage soap and warm water onto the affected area for 10-15 seconds. Wet the skin with warm water, lather soap in your hands, and softly massage the area for 10-15 seconds. Rinse with warm water to remove the soap.
Exfoliate with natural products for 10 minutes. Exfoliants remove dead skin cells covering the ingrown hair, helping it to surface. Apply the product, wait 10 minutes, then moisten with warm water and gently scrub before rinsing. Natural exfoliants include:
Alternative product: Use a full-body exfoliating cream if you prefer not to mix your own.
Consult a doctor about retinoids to remove the top layer of skin. For stubborn ingrown hairs, prescription retinoids can help by removing the top layer of skin cells, allowing the hair to surface. Discuss with your doctor if this is suitable for you and apply as directed.
Remove the hair
Grip the curved part of the hair with tweezers. Ingrown hairs often curl into a hook shape or grow sideways. Since the tip of the hair is hard to see, gently pull the middle section until the tip is exposed.
Alternative tool: Use a sterilized needle to lift the hair tip instead of tweezers. Insert the needle into the loop of the hair and gently lift to release the tip. Be careful not to dig into the skin.
Twist the tweezers back and forth until the hair tip is exposed. Grip the hair with tweezers, gently tug it to the right, then twist to the left. Continue twisting until the hair tip pops out.
Pluck the hair once the tip is out of the skin. After the tip is exposed, use tweezers to pluck the hair. Grip the hair near its base and pull it out quickly.
Clean the area with soap and warm water. Wet the skin with warm water, apply soap, and rinse thoroughly with warm water. This step ensures dirt and bacteria do not enter the empty hair follicle.
Apply antibiotic ointment to the area to aid recovery. Use a finger or cotton swab to dab antibiotic cream onto the empty follicle to prevent infection and promote healing. The ointment also helps minimize scarring.
Adjust your shaving habits to reduce the risk of future ingrown hairs. Trim hair with scissors before shaving and soak the skin in warm water or apply a warm compress for 5-10 minutes. Use a gentle, fragrance-free shaving cream and shave in the direction of hair growth.
Treating infected ingrown hairs
Consult a doctor if you notice signs of infection. Ingrown hairs can become infected, especially if the skin is broken. Proper treatment is necessary to heal the infection. Contact a doctor if you experience symptoms such as:
Use antibiotics as prescribed if recommended by a doctor. For infections, a doctor may prescribe antibiotics. Mild infections may require topical antibiotics, while more severe cases might need oral antibiotics. Follow the instructions carefully to treat the infection effectively.
Avoid removing the hair until the infection has healed. Leave the hair untouched during treatment, as attempting to remove it can worsen the infection. Consult your doctor to determine when it’s safe to address the ingrown hair.
What you’ll need
- Hydrocortisone cream, witch hazel, aloe vera, or benzoyl peroxide (optional)
- Antibiotic ointment
- Hot water
- Warm compress
- Soap
- Exfoliating product
- Sterilized needle (optional)
- Pointed tweezers
Warnings
- Avoid forcefully plucking the hair, as it can cause pain and potentially lead to infection.
- Plucking the hair may cause slight discomfort, but it should not be overly painful.
