Ingrown hairs are a common nuisance but rarely serious. They can develop on frequently shaved body parts such as the legs or pubic area.
Ingrown hairs are a common nuisance but rarely serious. They can develop on frequently shaved body parts such as the legs or pubic area. You might also get ingrown hairs after other forms of hair removal like plucking, threading, or waxing.
While most ingrown hairs don’t require treatment, they can cause irritation or even scarring. Treatment usually focuses on relieving discomfort and irritation with topical care and preventing more ingrown hairs, like adjusting your shaving technique or how often you shave.
If ingrown hairs are a frequent problem, you might want to talk to a dermatologist or another medical provider. They can suggest ways to adjust your hair removal practices to prevent more ingrowns from cropping up and recommend treatments to reduce irritation.
Read on to learn more about what causes ingrown hairs, how they can be treated, and how to prevent them.
An ingrown hair develops when a strand of hair grows back into the skin instead of emerging through the surface. This can sometimes trigger an inflammatory reaction, resulting in a small, raised bump that may be painful or itchy.
Inflamed ingrown hairs have a few names, such as:
Shaving bumps
Razor bumps
Barber’s bumps
Pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) — specific to the beard area
Some people might be more likely to get ingrown hairs than others, including those with coarse or curly hair, as well as folks who shave, wax, or pluck frequently.
Women typically get ingrown hairs in areas where they shave, including the:
Legs
Armpits
Bikini area
Men who shave might develop ingrown hairs on their faces or beard area.
Ingrown hairs rarely need medical attention, but some can become infected or heal with scarring or discoloration. Understanding how to prevent and treat ingrown hairs can help you maintain optimal skin health and reduce your risk of these complications.
The most common sign of an ingrown hair is a raised bump that’s flesh-colored. Depending on your skin tone and how much inflammation it’s causing, the bump might also appear red or dark.
Some ingrown hairs are barely noticeable and may not cause any symptoms.
However, others might trigger an inflammatory reaction, leading to discomfort. They can appear as raised bumps that resemble pimples or small cysts. These bumps may be:
Tender or sore
Itchy
Swollen
Red or dark
In some cases, you might be able to see the hair trapped under the skin.
You may get a single ingrown hair or a cluster in one area, such as your bikini line or legs.
Inflamed ingrown hairs on light skin tones tend to appear pink or red. On people with dark skin tones, they may look dark brown or purple.
Inflammation from ingrown hairs can sometimes result in hyperpigmentation (dark spots), especially if you have a darker skin tone.
If a deep ingrown hair becomes infected, the bump may fill with pus (called an abscess). In that case, the area around the ingrown hair might look red and feel warm or painful.
In some cases, an ingrown hair can lead to a hard lump developing under the skin called a cyst. Though these cysts are usually harmless, they can occasionally become infected.
If the lump is painful, swollen, or shows other signs of infection, it’s a good idea to consult a healthcare provider for evaluation and treatment.
Ingrown hairs can develop when a removed hair starts growing back out but either gets trapped under the skin surface or emerges from the surface but then curls back into the skin. This typically happens after shaving or other forms of hair removal.
Ingrown hairs are most common after hair removal. Removed hairs might not grow back properly, and rather than growing out, they sometimes curl back into the skin.
Close shaving is a common cause of ingrown hairs. When a hair is cut close to the skin, the sharp tip that forms at the end of the strand allows it to easily re-penetrate the skin’s surface if it angles toward it.
You may be particularly prone to ingrown hairs if you have tight, curly hair since this hair type is more likely to curl back toward the skin.
Other causes of ingrown hairs can include:
Waxing, threading, and plucking. Besides shaving, hair removal techniques like waxing, plucking, or threading can lead to ingrown hairs. They can cause hair to break unevenly or just below the surface of the skin, making it harder for the hair to grow out properly.
Tight clothing. After hair removal, tight clothing can block hairs from emerging or cause friction against the skin, irritating hair follicles and leading to ingrown hairs. This might be a particular problem around the legs, groin, and buttocks.
Dead skin cells. The buildup of dead skin cells can clog hair follicles, creating a barrier that prevents hair from growing out properly.
People who frequently remove hair through shaving, waxing, plucking, or threading are at the highest risk of developing ingrown hairs.
Ingrown hairs often show up after various types of hair removal, such as:
Shaving
Plucking
Waxing
Threading
When shaving, your risk of ingrown hairs might be higher if you use a dull or low-quality razor. Duller blades may require you to go over your skin multiple times, which can increase the risk of breaking hairs or irritation.
Additionally, unevenly cut hairs caused by dull blades are more likely to curl back into the skin, further increasing the chances of ingrown hairs.
Not using shaving cream or another type of lubricant can increase friction. This could lead to skin irritation and unevenly cut hairs. Similarly, shaving “against the grain” increases the chances of hairs curling back into the skin and becoming ingrown.
Other risk factors for ingrown hairs:
Having coarse or curly hair, which is more likely to curl back and grow into the skin
Wearing tight clothes, such as leggings, especially when exercising
Having dry skin, which can lead to a greater buildup of dead skin cells
How do you know if you have an ingrown hair? Find out below.
You might be able to identify an ingrown hair just based on how it looks. And you likely won’t need to see a healthcare professional unless you develop an infection.
Ingrown hairs are most often diagnosed based on their appearance.
To diagnose ingrown hairs, healthcare providers usually don’t order any particular tests, but they might ask you questions like:
Have you recently removed hair in that location?
What kind of hair removal method do you use?
How long have you had the bump?
Is the bump getting worse?
Do you frequently get bumps in areas where you remove hair?
Additionally, your provider may press on your skin to see if it’s tender and examine it for signs of an infection, such as warmth, redness, or pus.
In some cases, ingrown hairs might cause an infection that calls for treatment with prescription antibiotics.
Most ingrown hairs resolve on their own without any special treatment. That said, home remedies and topical products can help reduce irritation.
The main treatment for ingrown hairs involves using topical care to help relieve symptoms.
Home remedies and topical treatments can help alleviate symptoms of ingrown hairs. Options include:
Warm compresses. Applying a warm, damp compress to the affected area for about 10 to 15 minutes can help soften the skin and encourage the trapped hair to come to the surface. It might also reduce inflammation and discomfort.
Exfoliants. Regular exfoliation can help remove dead skin cells and release trapped hairs. Look for chemical exfoliants containing ingredients like salicylic acid or glycolic acid.
Topical treatments. Many over-the-counter creams, gels, and ointments can help relieve pain and inflammation — you might try aloe vera or a non-prescription steroid cream.
Prescription steroid creams. If an ingrown hair is causing severe inflammation, a healthcare provider may recommend a prescription steroid cream to reduce swelling and irritation.
If you’re very careful, you might be able to remove an ingrown hair at home with tweezers.
Try starting with a warm compress to encourage the hair to come to the surface of the skin. Once the hair has emerged from under the skin, it can be carefully tweezed out.
It’s crucial to avoid digging into your skin with tweezers, as this can cause further irritation or infection. Outside of deliberately (and carefully) removing an ingrown hair, try not to scratch or pick at it.
Ingrown hair removal isn’t usually necessary unless you’re dealing with an infected ingrown hair.
A healthcare provider may treat an infected ingrown hair by:
Removing it using a sterile needle or blade
Prescribing a steroid cream to help swelling and irritation
Giving an antibiotic cream or tablet to treat the infection
Can ingrown hairs be prevented? You bet. We’ll cover this next.
Preventing ingrown hairs primarily involves adjusting hair removal techniques to reduce the risk of hairs growing back into the skin.
Here’s what you can do to reduce the likelihood of ingrown hairs when shaving:
Wet your skin with warm water and use shaving gel or cream to soften the hair.
Shave in the direction your hair is growing, and avoid shaving too closely.
Rinse your razor after each stroke to prevent buildup and ensure a clean cut.
Use as few strokes as possible to reduce potential irritation.
Hold a cool, wet washcloth to your skin after shaving to soothe irritation.
Don’t use a blunt razor — replace yours often to ensure the blades are sharp.
Avoid stretching your skin while shaving, as this can cause hairs to retract when you let go and increase the likelihood of ingrown hairs.
Beyond shaving techniques, you can help prevent getting ingrown hairs by:
Exfoliating regularly. Regular exfoliation can remove dead skin cells that clog hair follicles and trap hairs beneath the skin. Using a gentle scrub or exfoliating cloth can help keep your skin smooth and free of debris.
Considering alternative hair removal methods. People prone to ingrown hairs might want to try depilatory creams, electric razors, electrolysis (non-laser hair removal), or laser treatment. Laser hair removal can be a long-term solution, resulting in less hair growth and a lower risk of ingrown hairs.
Stopping hair removal. Giving your skin a break from shaving or waxing allows it to recover. Many ingrown hairs clear up within three to four weeks when hair removal is avoided.
Moisturizing. Keeping your skin moisturized can reduce dryness, a contributing factor to ingrown hairs. Using a moisturizer after shaving or waxing can soothe your skin and reduce irritation.
Avoiding tight clothing. Wearing loose-fitting clothing, especially after hair removal, can reduce friction and prevent irritation around hair follicles.
Using products designed for sensitive skin. Skin care products such as shaving creams, gels, or lotions formulated for sensitive skin may help minimize irritation and reduce your risk of ingrown hairs.
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