An ingrown hair is a hair that curls and penetrates the skin with its tip and becomes trapped under the skin, causing inflammation. Ingrown hairs are more common among people with curly hair but everyone is susceptible to having ingrown hairs. The result is skin that is red, tender and unsightly. Ingrown hairs may be accompanied by an infection of the hair follicle (folliculitis) or "razor bumps" (pseudofolliculitis barbae). Many women suffer from recurrent ingrown hair and ingrown hair infections. Ingrown hair most commonly appears in areas where the skin is shaved, but can appear anywhere.
Causes of ingrown hair include anything which causes the hair to be broken off short. Shaving is the leading cause, followed by tight clothing. A common cause of ingrown hairs is chronic irritation to the hair shaft and follicle opening. Sometimes ingrown hair occurs naturally without shaving, from collection of too much dead skin or blocked pores which can make hair grow sideways. The face is a very common area of the body to have ingrown hairs due to the course hairs that grow. Some women will especially have this problem. Plucking or tweezing may also cause ingrown hairs. This damages the hair shaft and may result in abnormal hair growth.
Ingrown hair symptoms include rash, itching skin, hair which remains in spite of shaving, and infection and pus collecting under the skin.
Treatments for ingrown hairs include applying a warm washcloth over the ingrown hair, and use of ibuprofen or similar NSAID for discomfort and anti-inflammatory effect.
Strategies to prevent ingrown hair include:
- prepping areas to be shaved with a gentle scrub to soften the skin, this will remove dead skin for a cleaner shave and help point hair out of the skin for it to be properly shaved
- shaving in a different direction
- shaving after you have been in the shower for awhile; the steam and heat will help to soften the hair
- using sharp blades; old blades are dull and can introduce bacteria into freshly shaved skin
Premier Skin Care Center offers proven options to treat ingrown hairs and remove ingrown hair. Our licensed esthetician is skilled at performing waxing. Improper waxing can cause ingrown hair. If you home wax she can instruct you on proper waxing technique. For more permanent treatment of ingrown hair, laser hair removal and/or reduction treatments will prevent ingrown hairs, especially facial hair. We are happy to provide you with tips and procedures for preventing and treating ingrown hairs, including laser treatment to remove ingrown hairs.