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Ingrown hairs

An ingrown hair occurs when a shaved or plucked hair grows back into the skin. It can cause inflammation, pain and tiny bumps in the area where the hair was removed.
Ingrown hairs are a common condition resulting from hair removal. It is most common in black men who shave their facial hair. But ingrown hairs can affect anyone who shaves, waxes or tweezes.
Often an ingrown hair will get better without treatment. You can avoid ingrown hairs by not waxing. If this is not an option, you can use hair removal methods that reduce the risk of developing ingrown hairs, such as laser or high frequency hair removal (electrolysis).

Ingrown hairs occur most often in the beard area, including the chin and cheeks and, in particular, the neck. They can appear on the scalp in those who shave their heads. Other common areas for ingrown hairs are the armpits, pubic area and legs.
Signs and symptoms include:

  • Small, solid, rounded bumps (papules)
  • Small blister-like lesions filled with pus (pustules)
  • Darkening of the skin (hyperpigmentation)
  • Pain
  • Itching
  • Ingrown hairs

Chronic ingrown hairs can lead to :

  • Bacterial infection (by scratching)
  • Darkening of the skin (hyperpigmentation)
  • Permanent scars (keloids)
  • Pseudofolliculitis barbae, also known as razor bumps

The structure and direction of hair growth play a role in ingrown hairs. It is thought that a curved hair follicle, which produces tightly curled hair, encourages hair to re-enter the skin once it is cut and begins to grow back. Shaving creates sharp edges in this type of hair, especially if it is dry when shaved.
You may also get ingrown hairs if you:

  • Pulling on your skin while shaving – this allows the cut hair to return to the skin and re-enter the skin without first growing
  • Tweezing – this can also leave a fragment of hair below the skin’s surface
  • When a hair penetrates your skin, your skin reacts as it would to a foreign object – it becomes inflamed.

To help prevent ingrown hairs, avoid shaving and waxing. If this is not an option, use these tips to reduce the risk of ingrown hairs:

  • Wash your skin with warm water and a mild facial cleanser before shaving.
  • Apply lubricating shaving cream or gel a few minutes before shaving to soften the hair. Or apply a warm compress.
  • Use a sharp razor every time you shave.
  • Avoid close shaves.
  • Don’t pull your skin while shaving.
  • Shave in the direction of hair growth.
  • Rinse the blade after each pass.
  • Rinse your skin and apply lotion after shaving.

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

Electric trimmer: Avoid the closest shaving setting and keep the trimmer slightly away from your skin.
Permanent hair removal methods: laser (permanent reduction) and electrolysis (permanent hair removal)