Description

Ingrown hair occurs when a hair that has been removed begins to grow back and curves in the skin. Shaving, tweezing or waxing can cause this to happen. An ingrown hair can cause a small, swollen bumps on the skin that may be painful. The condition more commonly affects Black people with curly hair who shave.

The majority of the cases of ingrown hairs get better without treatment. You can avoid this condition by not removing the hair or not shaving very close to the skin. If that's not an option, you can test with other hair removal methods that decrease the risk of developing ingrown hairs.

Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of ingrown hairs are:

  • Small, swollen bumps where you shave, tweeze or wax
  • Small bumps that appear blisters, or they are filled with pus
  • Small bumps that are darker than those of the skin (hyperpigmentation)
  • Burning or stinging
  • Itching
  • The hair in the form of a loop because the tip of the hair curves and grows into the skin

When to see a doctor

Occasionally, an ingrown hair is no cause for alarm. Seek medical attention if your condition does not improve or if it causes problems on a regular basis.

Causes

Ingrown hair occurs when a hair that has been removed begins to grow back and curves in the skin. This usually happens after shaving, tweezing, or waxing.

The structure of the hair and the direction of growth play a role in the ingrown hairs. A curve of the hair follicle, which produces the hair is very curly, it is believed to encourage hair re-enter the skin once the hair is cut and starts to grow again. Shaving creates a sharp edge in the hair, making it easier to pierce the skin.

The ingrown hairs can also be caused by:

  • Pulling your skin when you shave. This action causes the hair to draw back into the skin.
  • Hair removal with tweezers.

When a hair penetrates your skin, your skin reacts as you would with a foreign body — is irritating.

Risk factors

The main risk factors for ingrown hairs is to have extremely curly hair.

Complications

The ingrown hairs that do not improve may lead to:

  • The bacterial infection (from scratching)
  • Patches of skin that are darker than usual (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation)
  • Raised scars that are darker than the surrounding skin (keloids)
  • Pseudofolliculitis barbae, also known as razor bumps
  • Thin scars (grooves)

Prevention

To help prevent ingrown hairs, avoid shaving, tweezing and waxing. If that's not an option, use these tips to make the ingrown hairs least likely:

  • Before shaving, wash your skin with warm water and a mild facial cleanser.
  • Apply lubricant in shaving cream or gel for a couple of minutes before shaving to soften the hair. Or apply a warm, damp cloth.
  • Apply the shaving cream and the use of a strong, single-blade razor. This helps to avoid a too close shave.
  • Do not pull the skin while shaving.
  • Shave in the direction of hair growth.
  • Rinse the blade after every stroke.
  • Rinse the skin and apply a cool, wet cloth for about five minutes. Then, use a soothing after-shave product or a glycolic acid lotion to help remove dead skin cells (exfoliating).

The following methods of hair removal can also help to prevent ingrown hairs:

  • Electric razor or clippers. With the razor, to avoid the closest shave environment. Keep the razor or scissors slightly away from your skin.
  • Chemical remover of hair (epilation). Chemicals in hair removal products can irritate the skin, so test on a small patch of hair first.

Diagnosis

Your health care provider is likely to diagnose ingrown hairs by looking at your skin and asking you about your hair removal habits.

Treatment

To treat ingrown hair, stop shaving, tweezing, or waxing until the condition improves — usually 1 to 6 months. If you want to trim a beard with scissors, electric clippers. Don't start shaving again until all the skin has been cleared up, and ingrown hairs are gone. These steps help to control the condition. Not make it disappear permanently.

If you can't go that long without removing their hair and other self-care techniques are not helping, your health care provider may recommend medication, laser-assisted hair removal, or both.

Drugs

Your health care provider may prescribe certain medications to help control your condition. They include:

  • Medications that help remove dead skin cells from the skin. During the night, an application of a cream with retinoids such as tretinoin (Renova, Retin-a, others) helps to remove the dead skin cells (exfoliating). You can begin to see results in less than two months. Retinoids can also help to repair any discoloration (hyperpigmentation). A lotion with glycolic acid helps to reduce the curvature of the hair, which reduces the possibility of hair that grows on the skin.
  • Creams to soothe your skin. Steroid creams help to reduce the irritation and itching.
  • Creams, or pills to control the infection. Antibiotic creams in the treatment of mild infections caused by scratching. Antibiotic pills may be needed to a more serious infection.
  • Creams to decrease the growth of the hair. A product called eflornithine (Vaniqa) is a prescription cream that reduces hair growth when combined with another method of hair removal, such as laser therapy.

Laser hair removal and electrolysis

Your health care provider may recommend laser-assisted hair removal removes hair on a deeper level than shaving, waxing, tweezing or electrolysis. The laser treatment slows down regrowth and more long-term solution. Possible side effects of this method are blistering, scarring, and loss of color of the skin (dyspigmentation).

Lifestyle and home remedies

If you have razor bumps, but you can't stop shaving, develop a solid skin care routine such as the following to help control this condition:

  • Shave at least twice a week.
  • Do not tweeze ingrown hairs.
  • Before shaving wash the affected area using a warm washcloth or soft bristle brush. Use a circular motion for a few minutes.
  • Apply a warm, damp cloth for a few minutes more.
  • Apply the shaving cream — do not let it dry and use a sharp, single-blade razor.
  • Do not pull the skin while shaving.
  • Shave in the direction of hair growth.
  • Rinse the blade after every stroke.
  • Release visible ingrown hairs by the insertion of a sterile needle in each loop of the hair and gently lift up the tip that has grown back into the skin.
  • Rinse the skin and apply a cool, damp cloth for a few minutes. Then, use a soothing after-shave product. If it is necessary, try using a 1% hydrocortisone cream to no more than four weeks.

If you are able to, avoid the close shave. Try using a electric clippers. Set to leave the stubble. If shaving your condition worsens, you may want to try a chemical hair removal product (hair removal), such as Nair, Magic, among others. Test on a small patch of hair first.

Preparing for your appointment

It is likely to start by seeing your primary care provider, who may refer you to a doctor who specializes in skin diseases (dermatologist).

To get the most out of your appointment, it is good to prepare. Here's some information to help you prepare for your appointment.

What you can do

  • List of the symptoms that you are experiencing, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment.
  • The list of personal information, including any major stresses or recent life changes.
  • Make a list of all the medicines, vitamins, and supplements you are taking.
  • List of questions to ask your health care provider.

For ingrown hairs, some basic questions to ask your health care provider include:

  • What is the most likely cause of my condition?
  • What are other possible causes for my condition?
  • Do I need any tests?
  • Is my condition likely temporary or chronic?
  • What is the best course of action?
  • What are the alternatives to the primary approach you're suggesting?
  • There are restrictions that must be followed?
  • Is there a generic alternative to the medicine you're prescribing?
  • Do you have any relevant brochures or other printed material that I can take my house? What sites do you recommend?

Do not hesitate to ask other questions as well.

What to expect from your doctor

Your health care provider is likely to ask a series of questions, such as:

  • When did you begin experiencing symptoms?
  • The symptoms been continuous or occasional?
  • How severe are the symptoms?
  • Nothing seems to improve the symptoms?
  • Does anything make your symptoms worse?
  • What type of razor do you use?
  • How often do you shave?
  • What shaving or other hair removal technique you use?

What you can do in the meantime

In the days before your appointment, if possible, stop shaving or the use of any form of hair removal. Ingrown hairs may get worse at first, as the hair grows back. But eventually improves.

Symptoms and treatment of Ingrown hairs