Hair becomes ingrown when it grows under the skin and curls in on itself or when dead cells clog the follicles forcing the shaft to grow sideways. Often, they sting and can even hurt a little. They look like little red spots, about the size of a pimple, and can become infected. However, they often heal spontaneously. If there is a stubborn hair, try to free it with an exfoliant and a warm compress, then pull the end with a pair of sterilized tweezers.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Promote Spontaneous Hair Healing
Step 1. Wait a week
In most cases, the ingrown hair disappears without any kind of intervention. Typically, they find a way out of the skin layer where they got stuck. While you wait for the problem to resolve itself, try not to tease or touch them all the time.
While you wait, avoid shaving the affected area. If you cut yourself, you risk developing an infection or making it worse
Step 2. Apply acne medication
Ingrown hairs look a lot like pimples, especially if they are accompanied by pus. Apply benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid several times a day for several days. Combined with daily exfoliation, it will help you remove them by relieving swelling and giving them more room to come out (rather than growing under the skin).
You can buy acne ointment at any drugstore
Step 3. Apply steroid cream if an infection has developed
If the ingrown hair begins to fill with white or yellow pus, it means that it is infected. Under these circumstances, you need to cure the infection before removing it. Smear a small amount of the steroid ointment on the infected skin surface. It will reduce the swelling and help heal the infection.
You can buy an over-the-counter steroid cortisone cream. If you need a stronger product, consult your doctor
Part 2 of 3: Pull Out the Hair
Step 1. Exfoliate the area to remove dead skin cells covering the ingrown hair
Repeat the treatment twice a day, gently rubbing the affected area with an exfoliating product or glove. It will help remove dead skin cells, dirt and oil trapping the hair. He may also physically push the toe outward helping it out. Try to massage the fur in different directions to soften the surrounding skin as much as possible.
You can purchase an exfoliant or loofah glove at the grocery store or drugstore
Step 2. Don't get bruised
During exfoliation, the movements should be vigorous enough to soften the skin covering the ingrown hair, but not too much to cause an abrasion. If the surrounding area becomes sore, red or bleeding, stop the treatment immediately.
If in doubt, massage the affected area for a longer time, for example ten minutes, but gently
Step 3. Use a warm, damp cloth
Wet it with hot water, squeeze it and hold it against the ingrown hair for 3-4 minutes. When it cools, run it again under hot water. In this way, you will soften the leather favoring the outflow of the stem which will be easier to pull.
If you can see the hair trapped under the skin, you can soften it and push it outwards with this treatment. If not, leave the cloth until the barrel approaches the surface
Step 4. Pull the hair using a needle and sterile tweezers
It will likely take some time to stimulate the stem to come out, so continue being careful not to tear the skin. Use a ease to uncover the tip, then use a pair of pointed tweezers to lift the stem. If you can, don't pull it all the way out. Instead, make sure the ingrown area is sticking out of the skin.
- Sometimes, you may see an ingrown "curl" in which the upper extremity, instead of growing outward, curves or grows sideways or backwards. This means that the tip has begun to develop at the sub-epidermal level. Try to pass a needle through the curve at the top of the stem and pull it lightly. This way, you will be able to free him.
- If you don't see the ingrown curl once you exfoliate your skin and apply the warm washcloth, don't try to pull it out. You could get hurt or bleed out.
- Sterilize tools by boiling them in water, cleaning them with denatured alcohol, or passing them over a flame until they glow. If you disinfect them with fire, let them cool before using them.
- Wash your hands before pulling out an ingrown hair and wear disposable nitrile gloves to prevent the spread of bacteria.
Part 3 of 3: Keeping the Skin Free of Ingrown Hair
Step 1. Wash the areas you shave most often with warm water and a moisturizing shower gel
It is very likely that the hairs become ingrown in the parts of the body that you shave more frequently. So, keep them clean by washing them regularly. If the hairs are repeatedly ingrown, you can also apply an antiseptic product to prevent infections.
To avoid this problem, you could also apply a topical solution for daily use
Step 2. Rinse the area to be shaved with warm water
If you shave on dry skin, the risk of the hair becoming ingrown is higher. Then, wet her with warm water for 2 to 3 minutes before shaving. You can also use a mild facial cleanser. When you apply the shaving cream, leave it on for 2-3 minutes to soften the scalp before razor brushing.
Alternatively, try shaving as soon as you get out of the shower. The skin will already be moist and warm
Step 3. Trim the hair in the direction it grows
While back-shaving offers a better result, they are less likely to incarnate if you follow their natural inclination. Also, avoid pressing the razor too hard against the skin, otherwise they can grow back sub-epidermal and ingrown.
The longer and straighter they are, the less likely they are to curl under the skin, so try shaving or shaving gently using a single-blade razor or electric razor instead of a multi-blade one
Advice
- Sometimes, when they penetrate deep into the skin, it is very difficult to free them. If these methods are not effective, consult your doctor or dermatologist for a prescription.
- Although hair is more common in people who have curly hair, no one is immune to it. This is a problem that can happen to anyone.
- Before using the shaver, make sure it is clean. Also buy a pack of good quality shaving foam or shaving gel as this will help prevent ingrown hairs.
- Use a non-comedogenic moisturizer on areas prone to ingrown hair growth. Products that do not contain comedogenic ingredients do not clog pores.
Warnings
- If the inflammation is not confined to the follicle, but extends to a larger area or persists for more than a few days after you shed the hair, see your doctor or dermatologist.
- Avoid pinching ingrown hairs like you would pimples. You could get injured, scalded, or create an opening for bacteria, causing folliculitis.
