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Ingrown Hair: How Can You Prevent and Treat It

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An ingrown hair is a hair strand that grows back into the skin after a clean shave or waxing. It appears as a raised dark-colored spot on the skin's surface.

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Dhepe Snehal Madhav

Published At September 21, 2022
Reviewed AtSeptember 21, 2022

Introduction:

An ingrown hair is a discolored tiny bump on the surface of the skin when the hair strands grow back into the skin after shaving, waxing, or tweezing. Ingrown hairs can occur to anyone, but they can be easily treated and prevented when the right way of hair removal procedures are practiced. They may be itchy or painful and commonly appear on the face, armpits, legs, and pubic area. Ingrown hairs are also called shave bumps, razor bumps, or barber bumps.

What Are the Causes of Ingrown Hair?

  • Hair removal procedures like shaving, waxing, or tweezing can result in ingrown hair.

  • Dead skin cells clog the hair follicle forcing the hair to grow under the skin.

  • When naturally thick, curly hair is cut too short, the sharp end of the hair curls back into the skin resulting in ingrown hair.

  • When new hair grows, it may curl back and enter your skin. This more commonly occurs if your hair is thick, curly, or coarse.

  • People with greater levels of specific sex hormones can have unusually more hair making them more likely to have ingrown hairs, particularly after shaving.

  • Pseudofolliculitis is a type of ingrown hair seen in persons with thick or curly hair after removing the hair by shaving, waxing, or tweezing. The newly growing hair has sharper edges that poke back easily through the skin and get trapped under the skin surface.

  • Pulling the skin taut while shaving draws back the cut hair into the skin and the hair re-enters the skin surface without growing out first.

What Are the Symptoms of Ingrown Hair?

An ingrown hair irritates your skin.

You might notice:

  • Skin irritation, itching, pain, and discomfort may be present.

  • It develops as a raised red, brown, or purple bump resembling a small pimple. Sometimes pus makes be present inside the bumps.

  • Ingrown hairs usually pop up in shaved areas like the scalp, face, chin, neck, armpit, chest, back, pubic area, and legs. However, it may also appear on the eyebrows, inside of the nose, abdomen, and buttocks.

  • If the ingrown hair becomes infected, the bumps grow bigger, painful, and scarring. Pustules occur when it is filled around the hair follicles.

What Are the Risk Factors of Ingrown Hair?

  • Tight curly hair is the risk factor for ingrown hairs.

  • Dry skin can clog the hair follicle trapping the hair underneath the skin.

  • Pressure or friction in areas that are vulnerable to ingrown hairs.

  • Hair removal techniques can irritate the skin, making the sharper edge grow inward.

How to Diagnose Ingrown Hair?

A general physical examination and a discussion about hair removal habits are sufficient to diagnose ingrown hair.

How to Treat Ingrown Hairs?

At-home ingrown hair treatment includes:

  • Apply warm compression to the affected skin for 10 minutes to 15 minutes. This opens the pores and releases the ingrown hairs.

  • Wash the affected area with a washcloth or soft-bristled toothbrush in a circular motion for a few minutes. This is done before shaving and at bedtime.

If an ingrown hair is disturbing or gets infected, a small cut with a sterile surgical needle or scalpel can release it and allow the hair to grow outward.

They may also prescribe medications such as:

  • A topical steroid to ease swelling and irritation.

  • Retinoid, a derivative of vitamin A removes dead skin cells and lightens skin pigments.

  • Topical or oral antibiotics to treat an infection, if present.

What Are the Complications of Ingrown Hairs?

Prolonged ingrown hairs can lead to:

  • Bacterial infection due to scratching.

  • Skin darkening.

  • Permanent scarring (keloids).

  • Pseudofolliculitis barbae or razor bumps.

  • Pilonidal Cysts - These are the pockets containing hair and skin debris at the base of the tailbone, between the buttocks that can swell and cause pain.

How to Prevent Ingrown Hairs?

The ideal way to prevent ingrown hairs is the proper use of hair removal techniques.

  • Before shaving, completely wet the skin and hair with lukewarm water. Apply shaving cream or gel to the skin. Using a single-blade razor shave in the direction of naturally grown hair. Use a few strokes of the razor as it lessens the chance of hair falling back into the skin. Clean the razor blade after each stroke. Change the razor blade frequently to avoid skin cuts and irritation.

  • Do not shave too close to the skin surface. Leave a little bit of hair. When using an electric razor or clipper, hold it a little above the skin's surface.

  • Apply a cool washcloth to the skin after shaving to soothe the skin.

Other hair removal options to remove hair that may prevent ingrown hairs are:

  • Chemical Hair Remover: Using depilatory (hair removal) products dissolve the protein structures of the hair and help remove the hair easily without shaving. The chemicals in these products may irritate the skin surface, so a patch test on a small area is mandatory.

  • A Cream to Reduce Hair Growth: Eflornithine (Vaniqa) is a cream that is prescribed to decrease hair regrowth in combination with other hair removal methods, like laser therapy.

  • Electrolysis: In this method, a small needle and a mild electric current destroy the hair roots. Here every single hair follicle requires treatment. Therefore it may not be practically possible to use electrolysis over a large body surface.

  • Laser Hair Removal: In this technique, the heat liberated from a laser destroys more pigmented cells. This method is more effective on dark hair.

Conclusion:

An ingrown hair is curling and penetrating the hair tip into the skin causing inflammation. It is more common among very curly-haired people occurring in the beard area on men and the groin or bikini area on women. It is easily diagnosed. An ingrown hair mostly heals on its own. However, in some cases of chronic ingrown hairs, therapeutic intervention may be required. allowing enough hair growth before shaving, try not to shave close to the skin surface, and permanent hair removal therapies such as laser, electrolysis, or depilation using liquids or creams can prevent the formation of ingrown hairs.

Frequently Asked Questions

1.

Can One Prevent Ingrown Hairs Naturally?

The following steps can be taken to prevent ingrown hair naturally:
- Exfoliate the skin to avoid clogging pores and to remove dead skin cells.
- Soak skin before shaving.
- Apply a warm compress before shaving.
- Shave in the direction of hair growth.
- Clean the razor after each stroke.
- Moisturize skin to avoid skin irritation and friction.

2.

Is Coconut Oil Beneficial for Ingrown Hairs?

Studies have shown that coconut oil has the ability to soothe irritated skin and reduce redness caused by ingrown hair due to its anti-inflammatory properties. Furthermore, the moisturizing properties of coconut oil soften both the skin and the hair follicle and help in easier fuss-free hair removal and may prevent ingrown hair.

3.

Can Vaseline Be Applied on Ingrown Hair?

Applying Vaseline to the skin can be beneficial as Vaseline acts as a moisturizer and protects the skin from friction and irritation, which can lead to ingrown hair. However, Vaseline alone may not be beneficial for the prevention of ingrown hair and may have to be used with other preventive measures to seem beneficial.

4.

Can Aloe Vera Gel Be Beneficial for Ingrown Hairs?

Aloe vera gel is widely popular for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties. When applied to the skin, it can help reduce the redness, swelling, or discomfort associated with ingrown hair. One can apply gel or pulp of aloe vera onto the irritated area of the skin and wash away using cold water after leaving the gel for around twenty minutes to experience the soothing benefits.

5.

What Would Be the Best Homemade Ingrown Hair Treatment?

Some most commonly used home remedies for ingrown hair treatment include the use of tea tree oil, sugar, olive oil, honey, baking soda, and more. However, applying a mixture of equal quantities of sugar and honey in circular motions to the affected area and washing away with lukewarm water has shown to be the most accepted method for treating ingrown hair.

6.

Can Ingrown Hair Go Away Naturally?

As the hair continues to grow, some individuals may experience ingrown hair going away on their own. However, this may take time. One may gently exfoliate the skin and use lukewarm water showers to help the ingrown hair break through the skin’s surface and get symptomatic relief as well.

7.

Can the Application of Ice Help Ingrown Hairs?

Applying ice or a cold compress to the skin surface of ingrown hair can help reduce inflammation and alleviate any associated pain or discomfort. The cold temperature can help soothe the skin and reduce swelling, making the ingrown hair less noticeable as well. However, this may take time and be beneficial only to some individuals.

8.

Can Deficiencies Cause Ingrown Hairs?

There is no evidence that states a specific or general nutrient deficiency can cause ingrown hairs. However, maintaining good overall skin health through a balanced diet and proper skincare routines, and practicing preventive measures can help reduce the occurrence of ingrown hairs.

9.

Can Lemon Prevent Ingrown Hairs?

Lemon juice is known to have natural exfoliating properties. This enables unclogging hair follicles and can help remove dead skin cells. This may potentially reduce the occurrence of ingrown hairs. However, lemon juice may cause irritation for individuals with sensitive skin, so it is recommended to dilute it with water and perform a patch test before applying it to the affected area.

10.

Can Ingrown Hair Be Removed Using Turmeric?

Turmeric is known to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. Turmeric usage can help reduce inflammation in the affected area. Turmeric pastes are used to remove facial and body hair as a home remedy. However, there is limited scientific evidence to suggest that turmeric specifically removes ingrown hairs.

11.

Which Oil Can Be Used to Get Rid of Ingrown Hairs?

Tea tree oil is one of the most recommended oils for treating ingrown hair problems. Tea tree oil is used as a preventive measure as well as a treatment for ingrown hair. Tea tree oil helps in the maintenance of healthy skin. It is beneficial for its soothing and healing properties. Ingrown hair can be prevented by using tea tree oil after shaving.

12.

Does Vitamin C Prevent Ingrown Hairs?

Vitamin C has antioxidant properties that help promote healthy skin and the healing process. Vitamin C is also known for its exfoliating properties and can be used to remove dead skin cells and treat and prevent ingrown hair. It also helps to soothe skin inflammation related to ingrown hair. 

13.

For How Long Does Ingrown Hairs Last?

Ingrown hair eventually breaks through the skin and heals on its own naturally. This may take a week or two, depending on the hair growth pattern of the individual. However, if infected or in the presence of other skin conditions such as allergies, ingrown hair condition may last a little longer.

14.

Would Cold or Hot Water Be Better for Ingrown Hair?

Using hot water compresses is recommended to help alleviate discomfort and soothe the irritated area of skin affected by ingrown hair. Hot water can help relax the pores and follicles, making it easier to release the trapped hair. Applying a warm compress three times a day for ten minutes can help reduce inflammation and provide relief for ingrown hairs. 

15.

Can Applying Lemon Directly on Hair Be Harmful?

Lemon can reduce dandruff and control the oily scalp. However, it has acidic properties that may disrupt the hair’s health and cause dryness or damage. For this reason, it is recommended to avoid the direct application of lemon on the hair. One may dilute lemon with water to help reduce the acidic nature of lemon and still get the benefits of applying lemon on hair.

16.

What Ways Can Dermatologists Remove Ingrown Hairs?

Dermatologists can remove ingrown hairs through methods such as:
- Manual Extraction - Using a scalpel or small blade to release the hair underneath the skin and allow the hair to grow outward.
- Chemical Exfoliation - Chemical exfoliants such as AHAs or BHAs can be used to exfoliate the skin and promote the outward growth of ingrown hair.
- Laser Hair Removal - For individuals experiencing recurrent ingrown hair.
- Medications -  Steroidal ointments to get symptomatic relief and promote the release of ingrown hair.
Dr. Dhepe Snehal Madhav
Dr. Dhepe Snehal Madhav

Venereology

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