12 Pro Tips for How to Get Rid of Ingrown Hairs

by Alex William · September 11, 2019

Today is Friday, and that means you have the whole weekend ahead of you to do something fun. Unfortunately, you always have to worry about shaving. Rather than feeling silky smooth, you typically end up feeling self-conscious because you have a couple of unsightly red bumps in the most unwanted areas. You know what we're talking about: those delightful ingrown hairs sneak up on you at the worst of times, and they are painful, itchy, unattractive, and just downright awful. Below, you will learn some expert tips on how to get rid of ingrown hairs, and how to prevent them in the future.

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What Exactly Is an Ingrown Hair?

Please Tell Me How to Get Rid of Ingrown Hairs!

How to Get Rid of Ingrown Hairs Once and for All

Conclusion

What Exactly Is an Ingrown Hair?

Every woman understands the concept of an ingrown hair; they are large, red bumps that closely resemble a pimple, and they normally appear in your armpits or legs after shaving. If you are one of the lucky few who has never had one, then you have at least heard a family member or close friend complaining about the unsightly and painful blemish.

Interestingly, many people don't know what an ingrown hair is or how it appears in our skin. An ingrown hair is a hair that has curled around backward and grows into your skin instead of rising out like normal.

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Where Does an Ingrown Hair Begin?

There are a couple of factors that can cause ingrown hairs to make their way into our bodies. Sometimes, if dead skin clogs up a hair follicle, the hair may either grow sideways or downwards into the skin. Other times, if a person cuts naturally curly hair too close to the surface, the sharpened end of the hair can pierce the skin which causes an ingrown hair.

How Do I Know If I Have an Ingrown Hair?

Many people wonder how to tell the difference between ingrown hairs and other blemishes that show up on the skin. Well, there are a few key features and characteristics of ingrown hairs that set them apart from other skin blemishes such as pimples or boils. 

• If you are a woman, ingrown hairs are most common in the armpits, legs, and pubic area
• If you are a man, ingrown hairs are most common on the chin, cheeks, or neck
• You might see a swelled, red bump filled with pus
• You might see the hair inside of the painful bump

What Causes an Ingrown Hair?

Even though it's possible for anyone to get an ingrown hair, they are more common in people who have either coarse or curly hair. Unfortunately, it's most common for these types of hairs to curl back and re-enter the skin. However, hair type is not the only factor that will determine if you are susceptible to ingrown hairs.

Higher levels of specific sex hormones can cause excessive hair growth and ingrown hairs. Or, if you are African-American or Latino with coarse or curly hair, you are more susceptible to a condition called pseudo-folliculitis. This term is more commonly known as razor bumps, which means you might have a collection of small bumps from sharper hair piercing the surface

Please Tell Me How to Get Rid of Ingrown Hairs!

Now that we've bored you with some general facts about ingrown hairs, we'll answer the question you have been dying to have answered. Below, we will tell you how to get rid of ingrown hairs with advice from some of our best experts.

Ingrown Hair Treatment

You may be wondering if treatment for ingrown hair exists, and we are happy to tell you it does. Better yet, there is more than one way to treat those stubborn hairs. If your ingrown hair is bothering you or has become dark and infected, it is best to schedule an appointment with your doctor. Once you see your doctor, there are a few routes that can be taken to get rid of the unsightly (and often painful) ingrown hair:

1. 1
   Your doctor can make a small cut in your skin with a sterile scalpel or needle to release the hair and relieve your pain.
2. 2
   During your doctor's visit, you can ask for a steroid cream to ease the irritation and bring down the swelling.
3. 3
   You can request a medicine called Retinoids, which removes dead skin cells and reduces pigment changes that can occur in your skin because of the onset of ingrown hairs.
4. 4
   Antibiotics in a pill or cream form can also be used to treat ingrown hair infections.

How to Get Rid of Ingrown Hairs the Old-Fashioned Way

Image via Freepik

If you want to steer clear of the doctor route, there is a safe way to remove the ingrown hair at home, as long as you are careful. Yes, plucking the stubborn hair out with tweezers can be an effective way to get the job done. If you are wondering how to get rid of ingrown hairs with your fingernails, you have come to the wrong place. Here's what you will need:

• An exfoliator of your choosing
• A washcloth
• Pointed tweezers
• Rubbing alcohol
• Warm water

First, pour some rubbing alcohol into a clean bowl, and soak your tweezers to sterilize. While your tweezers are sitting in the bowl, exfoliate the irritated area to rub away any dead skin cells or debris that might be blocking the hair. Then rinse off the exfoliator with warm water.

Next, run a clean washcloth under hot water until the cloth is soaked. Right away, gently place the cloth over the ingrown hair and hold it there for at least 10 seconds. The warmth will help soften your hair and skin, which will make the process easier.

Last, grab your sterilized tweezers and set them as close to the surface of the skin as you can. After you pull the hair out quickly, gently rinse off the area with warm water.

How to Get Rid of Ingrown Hairs With Baking Soda

Luckily, if tweezers scare you, there are other methods to try for ingrown hair removal. If you are prepared to take a slower route, one way to ease the irritation is with a baking soda paste. Here's what you will need:

• Baking soda
• Clean water
• A moisturizer of your choosing

Form a soft paste by mixing all the ingredients above. Then, gently rub the soft paste on the ingrown hair. After that, rinse off the area with warm water. This method is supposed to bring the ingrown hair to the surface.

How to Get Rid of Ingrown Hairs With Tea Tree Oil

If you are looking for another slower method to bring the ingrown hair to the surface, try tea tree oil. Tea tree oil is often used as a remedy for infection, so rubbing just a drop over the ingrown hair may speed up healing time and also ease the discomfort. Remember: it's important to dilute the oil with a small amount of water and olive oil so as not to experience an adverse reaction.

How to Get Rid of Ingrown Hairs With Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar may be the right method for you if you are interested in trying out something a little different. There is a lot of discussion going around about the benefits of apple cider vinegar, and one key benefit is that it can help inflammation, itchiness, and general discomfort. Try pouring a small amount of apple cider vinegar on a cotton ball and gently dabbing the ingrown hair.

How to Get Rid of Ingrown Hairs Once and for All

Prevention is likely the most effective way to get rid of ingrown hairs for good. There are many suggestions from our experts, so it might be helpful to try out all of them just to see what works best for your body.

Exfoliate Once a Day

Photo by rawpixel.com from Pexels

This might sound exhausting, but try exfoliating at least once a day while you're in the shower. As mentioned above, the onset of ingrown hairs is usually caused by a build-up of dead skin cells, so it's important to remove those as often as you can. For just a little over $5 on Amazon, try Tree Hut Shea Sugar Scrub.

Try Hair Removal Creams Instead of Shaving

If you are open to the idea of not shaving, try hair removal creams instead. Shaving and plucking have been known to cause ingrown hairs, so try out a cream called Veet. You can find many versions for under $10 on Amazon.

Use a Razor You Can Trust

Instead of purchasing cheap, disposable blades, it might be worth your money to buy a more expensive razor with a longer-lasting blade instead. The issue with disposable blades is that the razor dulls quickly, causing rashes and an overall bumpy shave. If you are prone to ingrown hairs, spending your money on a blade you can trust is well worth the expense.

Try Out an Electric Razor

Even though electric razors do not shave as close to the skin as most of us would like, leaving a bit of stubble means the hair doesn't have a chance to grow back incorrectly. If you are okay with not having 100% smooth legs, an electric razor might be best for you.

Purchase Moisturizing Shaving Cream

If you buy shaving cream that leaves your skin dry and allows your razor to drag across your legs, you need something else. Try out a moisturizing shaving cream comfortable for your skin, or a shaving cream specifically meant for ingrown hair prevention. Try out a brand called Penchant Bare. You can find the cream for under $20 on Amazon, and it's meant to reduce razor burn as well as ingrown hairs.

Shave in the Direction Your Hair Grows

It is important to shave in the right direction. If you shave in the opposite direction that your hair grows, it will grow back sharper, meaning it is more likely your hair will grow back under the skin.

How to Get Rid of Ingrown Hairs—The Ultimate Method

If you are prepared for the most expensive yet most effective method, we would recommend laser hair removal. If you hate shaving, and if your body hair is a huge nuisance to you, one way to prevent ingrown hairs for good would be to kill the hair follicles all-together. After a few treatments, the hair will not grow back, so if you want to test this method in a small area first, consider starting with the armpits. Keep in mind: the larger the area, the more expensive the treatment.

Conclusion

Image by Alterio Felines from Pixabay

Most people will experience an ingrown hair in their lifetime, if not several. If you are one of the majority, take comfort in knowing there are many steps you can take to prevent or reduce ingrown hairs. If you have an ingrown hair that is overly painful or appears to be infected, call your doctor.

Featured Image: Photo by Daniel Sperindeo from Pexels

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Alex William

A 34 years old review writer from LA. I write reviews for Mybestshaver.com on best electric shaver to help people to find their best electric shaver ever. I'm @ Google+ | More About Me.

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