Friday, May 3, 2024

Ingrown Hair: What It Looks Like, Causes, Treatment & Prevention

removing ingrown hair

While ingrown hairs can develop in places all over the body, one of the most common trouble spots, especially for people who shave their facial areas, are ingrown hairs on the face. Ingrown hairs can commonly develop after shaving facial hair and an effective treatment needs to be able to exfoliate dead skin cells as well as reduce razor bumps and redness. Designed for all genders, this ingrown hair treatment can help brighten dark spots and calm irritated skin and razor bumps that can develop after shaving or waxing. This formula uses glycolic acid to exfoliate the affected area and vitamin E to repair the skin that may have been damaged from a close shave.

Here’s the best way to handle ingrown hair on your body

This means that most of the time, you don't need to worry about removing them. "I encourage patients not to pick at ingrown hairs on their own because it can cause damage, scarring, or infection, especially if sharp tools are used," says Engleman. If you stop shaving over the irritated skin, then the ingrown hair will often go away in a couple of weeks on its own.

removing ingrown hair

Bevel Essentials Post Shave Bump Control

Similar to many other products on this list, it includes glycolic acid as an exfoliant, as well as witch hazel to soothe your skin after shaving. Sometimes an ingrown hair is not infected, but it is very persistent. Retinoids can help remove dead skin cells more quickly than just washing and exfoliating. Every medical treatment option should be discussed with a doctor or dermatologist before use.

Ingrown hair is the worst–here's why they happen and how to remove them - VOGUE India

Ingrown hair is the worst–here's why they happen and how to remove them.

Posted: Wed, 17 May 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

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It comes in a pump, which I find helps you control how much body wash you’re dispensing. Our favorite natural way to remove ingrown hairs is to use the Dylonic Exfoliating Brush and Precision Tweezers. This three-pack includes two silicone brushes and one stainless steel pair of tweezers to help fight ingrown hairs.

Ingrown Hair or Cyst

The instructions also recommended applying a moisturizer after use too, because the ingredients can dry out your skin over time. One of the best ways to manage ingrown hairs is to choose an effective exfoliant that includes ingredients, like green tea and oat, that can soothe irritation and minimize razor bumps. Ingrown hair cysts happen when a hair follicle gets blocked, and the hair grows into your skin instead of out. You should never pop an ingrown hair cyst because it can cause infection and scarring.

Preventing ingrown hairs

Razor bumps from shaving (pseudofolliculitis barbae) are a type of ingrown hair cyst. This fragrance-free tonic is a salicylic acid spot treatment you can apply to ingrowns and it goes on clear, so it’s a great option to use during the day. You apply the product using the rollerball, allowing you to target the ingrown without touching skin and potentially transferring bacteria from your hands to the affected area. The tonic has a 4.5-star average rating from 323 reviews at Sephora. It has zinc, a mineral that can minimize irritation, glycolic acid to further exfoliate and niacinamide to brighten the appearance of the bump so it doesn’t leave behind a dark spot, according to the brand.

Ingrown Hair Treatment

Occasionally, infections can turn into an abscess and need to be drained. “This is called a pustule and occurs because there is a buildup of bacteria, or an infection,” adds Dr. Lolis. The bacteria can come from what’s naturally on the surface of the skin, or you may drag bacteria into a razor bump if you pick at it or try to dig it out on your own, says Dr. Wechsler. “Don’t try to pop them and don’t try to pick them,” she warns. If your skin is really red, apply a cold compress, advises Dr. Wechsler — an ice pack wrapped in a soft cloth. If you’re in a pinch, you can apply some 1% hydrocortisone right after the wax or close shave, and then one more time the next day, which may take some of the redness out.

Curly hair is more likely to bend back and reenter your skin, especially after it's been shaved or cut. If you’re someone who finds yourself getting ingrown hairs frequently, it may be worth considering a single-blade razor (we like the Oui the People Rose Gold Sensitive Skin Razor, $75, Oui the People). This helps get rid of dead skin cells that can keep the ingrown hair trapped for longer. If you can actually see the hair loop above your skin—meaning the hair is poking out of the bump—that’s the only time you should attempt to do an ingrown-hair removal at home. “If you can’t see the hair, don’t go digging for it, because it could be another type of inflammatory cyst—like a pimple—that doesn’t actually have a hair.

What can be done to avoid ingrown hair?

While experts told us manual exfoliants can irritate ingrown hairs, you can use them on non-irritated skin between shaves, so long as you don’t have dry or sensitive skin. Selfmade (one of our favorite AAPI-owned brands) sent me its True Grit Resilience Scrub to try, and it has a gentle yet gritty feel that leaves my skin feeling soft after I massage it in. The scrub is made with chemical exfoliants like ascorbic acid, an AHA that is the most powerful form of vitamin C, experts told us in our guide to dermatologist skin care routines. It also has tea tree oil to unclog hair follicles, according to the brand. I use this scrub on my legs and underarms once or twice a week, but you can use it daily if your skin tolerates it, according to Selfmade. Finding an ingrown hair just a few days after shaving, waxing or epilating is a frustrating reality of hair removal, especially when the red bump is itchy, painful and an eyesore on your otherwise smooth skin.

The cysts may go away on their own, but if they hurt, look red, or ooze pus, see a healthcare provider for treatment. There are two types of exfoliants that you can use to treat ingrown hairs. A physical exfoliant can literally scrub the area to lift dead skin cells, like the volcanic rocks found in the Manscaped Crop Exfoliator. A chemical exfoliant, like glycolic acid, is found in a majority of treatments on this list and can remove dead skin cells without any scrubbing. Dr. Chacon notes that you lower the chances of hair growing into the skin by using lotions and products that contain glycolic acid.

Digging into the skin to pull the hair out can cause an infection. You may be tempted to if you see a whitehead on top of the red bump, but you should sit on your hands. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. After the infection has cleared, you may have a scar or discolored skin that can last for several months. If bacteria, fungi, or other pathogens enter the skin, an infection can develop, known as folliculitis.

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