Ingrown hairs form when they grow under the skin rather than outside. They usually develop in areas of the body subjected to hair removal, for example with razor, tweezers or waxing, and are much more frequent in people with very curled hair, since this natural shape tends to push the hair towards the skin. In women, the areas most affected are those of the armpits, pubis and legs. You can shed a hair under the skin by reducing the risk of infection in the affected area and by using an exfoliator to soothe any discomfort or pain.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Use an Exfoliator
Step 1. Lay down a warm towel to soothe and clean the area
To keep the surrounding skin clean and reduce the risk of infection, you can soak a clean cotton cloth with warm water and hold it over the ingrown hair. leave it on for 3-5 minutes and repeat 3-4 times a day. Make sure the towel is always clean and fresh from the laundry.
You can also use this remedy to exfoliate the area, thus increasing the chances of the hair coming out on its own
Step 2. Make a paste of baking soda, salt and olive oil
The exfoliating action helps to loosen the hair and contributes to its removal. You can use natural products, such as those listed above, to create a paste to rub on the affected area, in order to reduce the risk of infections and soften the skin; however remember to be very gentle when applying it to the ingrown hair.
- Combine half a teaspoon of baking soda, sea salt or sugar and one or two tablespoons of olive oil; the oil has antibacterial properties that prevent the hair from becoming infected.
- Apply the paste with a cotton swab or cotton swab directly to the affected area.
- Gently rub the mixture with a fingertip in circular motions; proceed with 3-5 rotations clockwise and as many counterclockwise. When finished, rinse with warm water and pat dry. You should also wash your hands and put the towel you used in the washing machine to reduce the risk of infection.
- Repeat the exfoliation process with this paste at least twice a day.
Step 3. Soften the hair with aspirin
This drug dissolves the skin surrounding the hair a little and softens the hair, making it more likely to be removed during exfoliation.
- Take a 325 mg tablet of aspirin and dissolve it in a tablespoon of warm water. Use an "old-fashioned" tablet that can dissolve in water and not take gastro-resistant ones; also check that it does not have a hard coating.
- Add a few drops - three or five - of honey to the dough; this substance acts together with the acid of the drug to "extract" the hair.
- Apply the mixture with a cotton swab and let it dry; you can keep it all night, so that the honey can dry well.
- Finally, rinse off the mixture with warm water and pat your skin dry; you can repeat the application every evening.
Step 4. Remove the hair using black tea
It is able to soften and let out the ingrown hair; take a sachet and dip it in hot water, then place it on the area to be treated and leave it for 5-10 minutes.
Apply the tea bag every two hours on the first day the hair appears and then repeat the procedure twice a day
Step 5. Use an exfoliating pad or brush to soften the fur
As it begins to weaken and loosen, you can use this tool to carefully scrub the surrounding skin until the hair begins to peel off; perform gentle, circular movements first clockwise (3-5 times) and then in the opposite direction.
Check if you managed to remove it; if it has not detached, repeat the treatment until it falls off; be very careful when exfoliating to reduce the risk of infection or scarring
Method 2 of 3: Use a Sterile Needle
Step 1. Sterilize a needle before using it
Although squeezing, poking, or pricking the hair can lead to infection, you can try to pry it up with a sterilized needle. Use one that is a bit thick, such as a safety pin or for sewing; you can disinfect it easily by wetting it with denatured alcohol.
- Wear sterile gloves, if you have them, to avoid contaminating the needle.
- You can use other methods to sterilize it, for example using steam or microwave.
Step 2. Soften the leather with a warm, damp cloth
Before using the needle, place a towel soaked in hot water over the area to be treated and leave it on for a few minutes, so that the epidermis softens; this makes it easier to lift the hair with the needle.
Step 3. Insert the needle under the "ring" formed by the ingrown hair to lift it
Grab the tool with one hand and try to pull the skin away from the hair until the latter is exposed; you should see it curled on itself just below the surface of the epidermis. Make sure you lift it until you can pull it out; be very gentle so as not to sting yourself and not create damage to the surrounding area.
Step 4. Do not shave, use tweezers or wax the surrounding area
If you typically use these hair removal techniques, take a break and let the skin heal. If you neglect this, it will only irritate the area even more, causing more ingrown hairs to develop.
Method 3 of 3: Take Medication
Step 1. Ask your doctor about medications to remove dead skin cells
Retinoids, such as tretinoin and Retin-A, can help you with this process. Furthermore, if you have a dark complexion, they limit the risk of ingrown hairs forming because they act by lightening the epidermis, reducing its thickness and therefore making it less prone to this annoying discomfort.
Step 2. See your doctor for an ointment that reduces inflammation
Steroid creams help limit skin inflammation, minimizing the possibility of hair becoming ingrown.
Step 3. Talk to your doctor about antibiotics if the surrounding skin is infected
If the area around the ingrown hair has developed an infection, your doctor may prescribe oral or topical antibiotics.
