Thursday, May 2, 2024

Ingrown Hair: Causes, Symptoms, Treatments, and Infections

shaving ingrown hair

A medical professional can treat ingrown hairs and help you prevent them in the future. If you’re aiming for a smooth, hair-free look, ingrown hairs can ruin the effect. These unsightly bumps can be an annoying side effect of hair removal. The good news is ingrown hairs can be treated effectively at home. Sometimes ingrown hairs are irritating to deal with or become a regular problem. When this happens, some people stop removing hair in the problem area altogether.

shaving ingrown hair

How to identify infected ingrown hair

shaving ingrown hair

A hair can curve back into your skin as it grows out and become trapped under your skin. So, wearing tight clothing such as leggings and jeans can contribute. Friction caused by wearing tight clothing for extended periods of time can also cause ingrown hairs. However, some hairs can curl back on themselves and grow into the skin.

How to Avoid Ingrown Hairs on the Body

“You can also consider using salicylic acid creams.” Dr. Lolis says, adding that products containing glycolic acid or lactic acid can serve the same purpose. If your ingrown hair has looped or curled back into your skin, you can remove it by gently pulling it out with a sterile needle, pin, or tweezers. Thread the sterile needle, pin, or tweezers through the exposed hair loop. This removes a dead layer of skin cells and helps release ingrown hairs. Make small, circular motions to wash the affected areas with a washcloth, exfoliating brush, exfoliating gel, or scrub. The market has exploded with skin care products with different ingredients to help with ingrown hairs.

Mario Badescu Drying Lotion

It sports a dedicated nick guard to help prevent cuts, and simply spends less time on your skin than disposable razors, so there is less opportunity for nicks. Its head is also designed in a slope to position the razor at an ideal angle to shave course hairs. For individuals experiencing symptoms of genital herpes, a medical examination is indispensable. Visual clues, such as the presence of blisters, can be highly suggestive of herpes. However, only a healthcare professional can provide an accurate diagnosis through tests and examinations. Herpes testing involves swabs, blood tests, and physical examinations to determine the presence of the virus and the appropriate course of action.

Your health care provider is likely to diagnose ingrown hair by looking at your skin and asking about your hair removal habits. You can also remove an ingrown hair that has looped or curled back into your skin by gently pulling it out with a sterile needle, pin or tweezers. Apply rubbing alcohol to your surrounding skin to prevent an infection. Then, carefully thread the sterile needle, pin or tweezers through the exposed hair loop. Gently lift the hair loop until one end releases from your skin.

Dr. Raquel Molina Martinez is a board-certified dermatologist from Barcelona with over a decade of experience. Trained at Gothenburg’s University Hospital, she now practices at Centre Medic in Catalonia. Because heat promotes circulation, and that increased circulation can help drive the hair upward. Stephanie (she/her) is the director of the Hearst Health Newsroom, where she writes, edits and oversees all health content for Good Housekeeping, Prevention and other Hearst titles.

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If you’re unable to self-treat, laser hair removal may offer lasting results and alleviate ingrown hair. Talk to your doctor about this option, as well as other options for managing this condition. That’s when you should see a dermatologist for treatment, which can include prescription-strength antibiotic ointment or a cortisone shot to reduce inflammation in very severe cases.

If ingrown hair infections recur or are severe, you may have an underlying condition that needs medical treatment. As the infection progresses, you may see pus, and the bump may grow larger. Ingrown hairs are most common in areas of hair removal, such as the face, legs, armpits, and pubic region. Shaving and waxing creates sharper hairs that tend to get trapped in the skin.

Since ingrown hairs can occur in any hair-bearing area, we note whether each product is meant for your face or body. Make sure to avoid removing hair in the area where you have an ingrown until it’s fully healed, experts told us. Most of the above advice is tailored to facial ingrowns, though it can all be applied to ingrown body hairs, too. If you're dealing with ingrowns below the neck, Dr. Malik says to avoid wearing any tight or abrasive undergarments that rub against the skin. He also advises against waxing or using hair removal cream (depilatory cream) if you are prone to ingrown hairs. “Furthermore, waxing can cause hair to break below the skin, which can increase risk of ingrown hairs.” Looks like a body groomer or electric razor might be your best choice after all.

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Because double-edge blades cut the hair at a deeper point, you’re more likely to develop ingrown hairs with these razors. If you’re using an electric razor, don’t set the razor at the closest setting. Knowing when to seek medical advice is crucial when dealing with symptoms that could be related to ingrown hairs or genital herpes.

Anyone who shaves, tweezes or waxes their hair can develop ingrown hairs. If you shave often, you’re more likely to have ingrown hairs. Every time you shave, you run the risk of developing ingrown hairs. We also wanted to include a wide variety of products at different price points so you can find an ingrown hair treatment that works for you, regardless of budget. Lastly, we researched the effectiveness of each product before including it on our list. What makes this particular treatment one of our favorites for the body is how easy it is to apply—no need for cotton balls or scrubs.

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Ingrown hair: Treatment and prevention

Table Of Content Avoiding irritation What questions should I ask my healthcare provider? Using tweezers How do you remove an ingrown hair? P...