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Ingrown Hair: Removal and Prevention

An ingrown hair is a hair trapped and growing underneath the skin. It's sometimes a razor bump on the face that is uncomfortable and even unsightly. This is a problem that at some time or another happens to just about everyone.

African American males seem to get the worst of it. For people with curly hair that has been shaved or cut close, it may tend to grow curly into the skin rather than straight and out. Ingrown hairs are especially awkward to see and uncomfortable to remedy if they happen after shaving the pubic region.

Fortunately ingrown hair treatment and ingrown hair removal are relatively easy. People who want to prevent ingrown hairs in the first place may also be pleased to find that it can be done with relative ease.

Ingrown Hair Treatment

Removing ingrown hairs should be done with a product that contains salicylic acid. It is the only substance known to work on ingrown hair. Apply it after shaving and keep it on the skin throughout the day.

Don’t buy into products that have alcohol which just make things worse. Alcohol dries the skin and closes the skin pores. Using a daily and gentle face scrub which contains salicylic and glycolic acids works wonders. Exfoliating manually also helps.

The manual ingrown hair removal method requires the use of a sterilized pair of tweezers. Sterilization of the tweezers and the skin is important to reduce the chance of an infection. As for the tweezers, drop them into a cup with a small amount of rubbing alcohol for two minutes.

First apply a warm compress to the ingrown hair, but not too hot, of course. This opens the pores and softens the skin. It also makes it easier to see the hidden ingrown hair. With the sterilized tweezers, pull out the hair to its natural position. It isn't necessary to pull it out completely. Wash and dry the affected area. Follow with an antiseptic.

How To Prevent Ingrown Hairs

For some people shaving causes the ingrown hair problems. One of the very best solutions to this problem is the use a pre-shave face scrub. It's a rough cream that acts like very fine sandpaper to smooth the bumps on the skin. It removes dirt and oil from the skin.

But it can also remove live skin leaving a sore feeling. So rub the skin lightly with only two or three strokes and don't try to achieve too much with a single use. The best results come from continued use.

Use a face wash instead of regular soap when bathing. It contains salicylic acid, doesn't clog pores, and doesn't dry the skin. A side result is the prevention of skin breakouts like acne.

Finally, analyze your shaving technique. A shave that’s too close can cause razor bumps. If hair is cut deep inside the skin and the pore become clogged, the hair is forced to grow sideways from deep inside the follicle. Use a sharp blade so it glides over the skin and doesn't grab it. It may be beneficial to rely on a razor that uses a single blade.

Preventing ingrown hairs needs consistent attention, especially when shaving. Who knows, a single close shave can lead to days or even weeks of healing. Keep working to find what best works for you to stop or at least minimize the chances of ingrown hairs. It may be a combination of steps you can take. You'll feel good when an ingrown hair happens less often and annoys less.

At Hair Today Gone Tomorrow you can locate your nearest hair removal center and get the latest updates in hair removal technology.

The previous article is on Acne Treatment.

Other wiki resources:  acne; ingrown hair; laser hair removal; men facial treatments