Remove ingrown Hair: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

Ingrown hairs can be painful. They typically affect people with thick, curly hair and can become infected if left untreated. Ingrown hairs cause red, often itchy bumps where hair has grown back into the skin. There are things you can do to treat and prevent them, and in most cases, you will not need to see a GP for treatment.

Check if you have ingrown hairs

Ingrown hairs can look like raised, red, itchy spots on the skin. Sometimes you can see hair trapped under the skin. Infected hair ingrown can be painful. You may notice pus in the areas.You are more likely to get ingrown hairs in areas you shave, such as;

• Face and Neck
• Legs
• Armpits
• Chest
• Back
• Scalp
• Your public hairs
• Waxing, threading, and plucking hair can also lead to ingrown hairs.

Signs and Symptoms

• Itching skin
• Rashes
• Razor
• Discomfort
• Pain

Causes

Anything that does not let the hair grow normally can cause ingrown hairs; it is usually for one of the following;

• Improper hair removal: improper shaving techniques and cutting hairs very close to the skin create very sharp tips on the end of each strand.
• Clogged follicles: it is also possible for hair follicles to become blocked by;
• Dead skin
• Dirt and debris
• Friction: friction caused by wearing tight clothes for an extended period can also cause ingrown hairs.

Prevention

The best way to prevent ingrown hairs is by not shaving.

Do

• Wet your skin with warm water and use shaving gel.
• Shave in the direction the hairs are growing.
• Use a few strokes of razor as possible.
• Hold a cool, wet cloth to your skin after shaving to reduce irritation.
• Use an exfoliating scrub to help release any trapped hairs.
• Try a different hair removal method, such as hair removal cream.
• Try a long-term way of removing hair, such as laser treatment.

Don’t

• Do not shave too close – leaving some stubble can stop bacteria from getting in.
• Do not use a blunt razor – use a new, sharp, single-blade razor every time you shave.
• Do not scratch, pick or squeeze ingrown hairs, which can damage your skin and lead to infection.

Treatment

Ingrown hairs are irritating, but they can easily be treated in the home most of the time.

• Using a warm washcloth or soft brush
• Avoiding irritation
• Use tweezers
• Apply salicylic acid on ingrown hairs
• Use some exfoliation products
• Tea tree essential strands may help ingrowing hairs by;
• Killing bacteria
• Reducing redness
• Bringing down swelling
• Natural exfoliation;
• Sugar
• Salt
• Coffee
• Baking soda
• Use electric trimmer.
• To treat razor bumps, apply warm compresses to the affected skin
• Use retinoids
• Use creams to reduce inflammations

Alternating hair removal options

Some people turn to other ways of removing hair to avoid the risk of ingrown hairs that come with shaving, waxing or plucking. These include;

• Laser hair removal can be expensive, but the results are usually semi-permanent hair loss and no hair ingrown. Laser hair removal damages the hair follicles at a deep level, preventing hair from growing at all.
• Chemical hair removal.
• Electrolysis; is another permanent form of hair removal. It is designed to damage the root of the hair and requires several sessions.

Complications in hair ingrown

An ingrown hair will go away on its own. But if it doesn’t, you could have;

• An infection
• Darkened skin
• Scarring

References:

• https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/ ingrown hairs /
• https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/317951
• https://www.cedars-sinai.org/health-library/diseases-and-conditions/i/ingrown-hairs-pseudofolliculitis.html