How to Get Rid of Ingrown Hair

 

Ingrown hair on your body can be very irritating and painful and may also cause you to be self-conscious because of the way they look on your arms or legs. Having ingrown hair is common for many people, and both men and women experience ingrown hairs on their bodies. The good news is you can easily get rid of ingrown hair and have soft silky smooth skin.

 

This article will give you an overview of what ingrown hair is, the symptoms, and how to get rid of it.

What is ingrown hair?

 

Ingrown hair is simply a hair follicle which grew back into your skin instead of penetrating it outwards. When this happens, a small red bump may occur as a result of the hair growing inside your skin. Ingrown hairs usually occur due to shaving, waxing, or other methods of hair removal.

 

What are the symptoms of ingrown hair?

As ingrown hair is mainly caused due to improper hair removal of the hair follicle, the main symptom of an ingrown hair is a red, itchy bump under the skin. These bumps can appear anywhere on your face, arms, legs, or groin and bikini areas.

 

How to get rid of ingrown hair?

To prevent any infections from occurring due to your ingrown hair, it is important to treat it properly. Do not try to pop the pimple or poke it with anything because you may get complications due to infecting the area.

 

Seeking medical help is the best option when dealing with ingrown hairs which are painful and swollen. Your doctor will probably prescribe any of the following treatments:

 

• Steroid cream: Helps ease any swelling and soothes your irritating skin
• Retinoids (Retin-A): Used to remove any dead skin as a result of the ingrown hair
• Antibiotics: Either oral or topical (rubbed on your skin)

 

Tips to prevent ingrown hair

Ingrown hairs are mainly caused by hair removal, and because it is difficult not to have your hair removed, you can prevent ingrown hairs from occurring with these tips:

 

• Wash the area you are shaving with warm water and soap or gel before shaving for lubrication
• Shave in the same direction of the hair growth
• If you are shaving, rinse the razor after each stroke
• Moisturize after hair removal
• Laser hair removal has been proven to prevent and treat ingrown hairs

 

Further reading: When Should a Boy Start Shaving His Mustache?