Worried about ingrown hair and looking out for simple means to get rid of it? People with curly hair are more likely to develop ingrown hair. However, one can develop ingrown hair at any point in time.
A hair that curls back on itself into the surface is termed ingrown hair. Shaving frequently prevents the growth of ingrown hair. If you have got one, read the below article to know how to remove ingrown hair.
How To Remove Ingrown Hair?
Exfoliation
Exfoliating the area helps you to remove the ingrown hair. You can scrub the ingrown hair two times a day gently. Scrubbing enables you to take off the dead cells, oil and dirt present on your skin. In the process, the ingrown hair gets trapped.
The procedure may include physically nudging the tip of the ingrown hair out of the skin. Hit the ingrown hair from different directions. An ingrown hairbrush or exfoliating glove may help you effectively. You can exfoliate using salt or using sugar and olive oil.
Be gentle while exfoliating. Ensure you are exfoliating enough the surrounding area to remove the ingrown hair and not up to the extent it bleeds. Especially if you are in a dilemma about ingrown hair, then exfoliate more gently but for a longer duration.
It is hard to remove the ingrown hair from the back leg. In that case, you can consult your doctor or use an alternate method.
Acne Medication
Ingrown hairs are similar to acne and mainly when the ingrown hair develops pus. You can apply salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide to treat the ingrown hair. Apply this several times and several days. Applying acne cream in combination with exfoliation will remove the ingrown hair easily.
The swelling will be reduced with the application of ointment. As swelling is reduced, the ingrown hair will have a lot of space to grow out. If the acne medication is not readily available, dab a little toothpaste on the region.
Compression
You can apply a moist or warm compress to the region for some time. Compressing will soften the skin, thus making it easy to remove the ingrown hair.
- Wet the washcloth in hot water. Press the cloth against the ingrown hair after wringing out the excess water. Place the cloth on the region until the temperature of the cloth cools down. Repeat the process once the temperature comes down by dipping the cloth once again in hot water.
- If the ingrown hair is fixed to the surface, you can bring the hair closer to the surface by applying a compressor. If you cannot notice, the ingrown hair on the surface leaves a warm compress on the area for some time so that the ingrown hair rises to the surface.
- If you cannot notice the ingrown hair even after ten minutes, you may find it hard to remove it yourself. Or you may be facing a different problem. You may contact your doctor for the necessary treatment.
Using Sharp Devices
A rotatable medical device, tweezers, or sterile needle may be employed to remove ingrown hair. Remember, do not dig deep for the hair. Pluck it out using these devices if you can find it at the surface. Ensure you do not pluck out the entire hair but only up to you make out the end of the hair on the skin surface. Coaxing the hair requires a lot of concentration and patience. Do it carefully without cutting the skin around.
- Sometimes there are chances you notice a loop of hair on the skin surface. This means that the tip of the ingrown hair is inside. To remove the tip outside, place the needle in the loop and gently tug to get the end out of the skin surface loosely.
- Flat-tipped or pointed tweezers can be employed. Pointed tweezers cause less harm to the skin surface around the hair. You can also opt for a rotatable medical device as it does not damage the skin or follicle.
Bread And Milk Compressor
- Warm little milk but don’t make it hot.
- Wet a piece of bread in the warm milk.
- Place the soaked bread on the ingrown hair region. You may feel hot, but you will not feel too much heat unless you have overheated the milk.
- Take off the bread when it cools down. It may take about 2 minutes.
- Repeat the procedure and hold the compress against the ingrown hair for 10 minutes.
- Even after repeating the procedure number of times, if you cannot notice the hair, contact your health professional.
Egg Membrane
You can use an egg membrane to soften the skin and gradually remove the ingrown hair.
- Take off the membrane from the eggshell.
- Place the membrane against the ingrown hair.
- Allow the membrane to dry on the area and let it shrink.
- Once it is completely dried, you can pull off the membrane, and you can see the ingrown hair come out along with it.
Keep Your Skin Clean
Wash the region using moisturizing soap and warm water. You can also apply antiseptic for additional safety. Do not wear tight clothes in that area. Regular exfoliation prevents ingrown hair. Apply the topical solution on the area to prevent further development of ingrown hairs.
Even after trying all these methods, sometimes you cannot bring the ingrown hair onto the surface. The reason for this may be the ingrown hair is placed deeper. You can contact your dermatologist for the best treatment.
Tips
- Use a fresh blade for shaving the sensitive areas.
- If the hair is not noticeable initially, you can leave the compress on the region for a longer duration.
- Wash the area thoroughly and keep it clean always.
- Use moisturizing cream after removing the hair to clear the redness of the area. Vaseline will work effectively.
- Use good quality shaving gels; some of them also prevent the growth of ingrown hairs. Ensure the razor is clean before you use it.
- Additionally, you can sterilize the tools by boiling them in water to disinfect them thoroughly.