Many times known as razor bumps, ingrown hairs are hairs which curl around and grow back into the skin, rather than coming up out of it. A raised, red bump which looks a bit like a pimple is what an ingrown hair looks like. There is even pus inside the bump at times. It will also cause inflammation, redness, pain, swelling and irritation in the surrounding area.
Ingrown hairs often occur when people shave their unwanted hair, like the legs, beard, bikini area or underarms. Ingrown hair is a serious condition, but it will certainly be irritating. Most of the times, ingrown hair will go away on their own as the hair grows out of the skin. However, there are some simple home remedies for ingrown hairs that can speed up the healing process and lessen the redness and inflammation.
Basic Ingrown Hair Remedy
Warm Compress
Use a moist or warm towel on the affected area to soften the tissues. Repeat this process until the hair looks near enough to the surface of the skin.
Use Tweezers
After the warm compress, pluck the hair slowly with a point tipped tweezers. So the end of the ingrown hair is above the skin. Don’t forget the aim isn’t to pluck it out, since this can be quite painful, and remember to sanitize the tweezers with alcohol before you use them.
Remember don’t jab the tweezers into your skin.
You can also try an ingrown hair remedy below:
You can wash the affected area with a soft-bristled toothbrush or a washcloth. Use a circular motion and do this for several minutes. It is best done at bedtime and before you shave.
Take a sterile needle and insert it under the hair loops and gently lift the embedded hair tips.
Other Ingrown Hair Remedy
Salt
Salt is an excellent exfoliating agent, and therefore a great ingrown hair remedy. It also helps to raise circulation, lower swelling and promote healing.
How to Use:
Mix a teaspoon and a half of table salt with a cup of lukewarm water.
Use a cotton ball to dip in this mixture, and then rub it gently over the affected skin.
Leave it for a few minutes, then rinse it with water.
Do this twice a day until the ingrown hair clears.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is another very effective ingrown hair remedy due to its soothing and cooling effect. It provides instant relief from inflammation and itchiness. Aloe vera will also keep your skin moisturized and make the healing process faster.
How to Use:
Take the gel from an aloe vera leaf.
Rub it on the skin that is irritated and let it dry on its own for about 30 minutes.
Rinse it with lukewarm water.
Do this 2 to 3 times each day for a few days.
Honey
Honey has antibacterial properties which will stop the affected area from getting infected. It also moisturizes and lowers swelling and inflammation.
How to Use:
Put a layer of honey right on the skin which is irritated.
Let this air dry for around 10 minutes, then rinse it with cold water.
Follow this ingrown hair remedy 3 to 4 times per day as long as you need.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is another useful ingrown hair remedy and contains anti-inflammatory properties which help lower inflammation and soothe your skin. It also helps to destroy yeast and bacteria, thus lowering the risk of infection.
How to Use:
Apply the cider vinegar to the affected area with a cotton ball.
Give time for the skin to absorb it, then wash the area with lukewarm water.
Do this simple remedy 2 times per day.
Sugar
Sugar aids in getting rid of dead skin cells and pushs the ingrown hair out.
How to Use:
Mix half a cup of jojoba oil with a cup of sugar.
Put 10 drops of tea tree oil in this and apply the mixture to the affected area.
Scrub the area in a circular motion, then wash it with warm water.
Do this 2 to 4 weeks, or until the ingrown hair surface.
Baking Soda
Baking soda has a soothing effect on the skin. It also exfoliates the skin, helps relieve itching and redness caused by ingrown hair.
How to Use:
Mix a cup of water with a tablespoon of baking soda.
Use a cloth or a cotton ball to dip into this solution and apply it on the affected area.
Leave it here for 5 to 10 minutes and wash it off with cold water.
Repeat this method 2 to 3 times each day for quicker results.
Black Tea Bags
Black tea bags contain a high concentration of tannic acid. This makes the skin smooth plus lowers redness or inflammation.
How to Use:
Take a warm tea bag and rub it on the affected area 3 minutes per day, so several days in a row.
You can also keep the tea bag in water for a while and then take out all the excess water from it and put it in a bowl.
Add a teaspoon of coconut water to this.
Use a cotton ball to dip into the mixture, then apply it on the area affected.
Do this twice per day until this ingrown hair remedy has worked.
Aspirin
Aspirin can relieve redness and inflammation.
How to Use:
Take 2 aspirin and soak them in a teaspoon of warm water.
Add a teaspoon of honey and apply this on the area affected.
Keep this on for 10 minutes or more, then rinse with warm water and pat it dry.
Do this 1 or 2 times each week.
Coffee
Acidic properties of coffee make it easy to expose an ingrown hair.
How to Use:
Mix a quarter cup of unused coffee grounds with a cup of lukewarm water.
Rub this mixture into the affected area in a circular motion for a few minutes.
Rinse with lukewarm water and moisturize with aloe vera gel.
Benzoyl Peroxide Gel
This is quite good for ingrown hair which is pus-filled and are like pimples.
How to Use:
Apply benzoyl peroxide gel or cream on the affected area several times each day for a week or more.
While applying this remedy, take off all the dead skin surround the area, as this will cut the swelling or bump, making it easier for the hair to grow up and out.
- While trying any of the above treatments, always keep your skin moisturized.
- Exfoliate your skin before shaving can prevent ingrown hair.
- To avoid the infection of ingrown hair, keep your skin clean at all times to get rid of surface dirt.
- If you remove the ingrown hair, treat it with antibiotic cream like Soframycin.
- Don’t shave for up to 4 weeks so the skin around the ingrown hair can heal.
- Women should not use a hair removal cream to lower the risk of irritation.
- Don’t pluck the tip of ingrown hair, since it will reactivate the problem.
- Don’t wear tight clothes around the area that has the ingrown hair.
View All Comments /Add Comment