Ingrown Hair

Picture: An illustration of an ingrown hair points to a man shaving which is a common cause of the condition.
Ingrown Hair

Ingrown Hair

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Ingrown hair facts

  • Ingrown hairs are a benign skin disorder commonly seen in teenagers and adults.
  • Ingrown hairs more frequently occur in adult men with darker skin or African-American skin.
  • Ingrown hairs commonly occur on shaved areas, such as the face, neck, armpit, legs, and pubic region.
  • Ingrown hairs look like scattered, pinpoint tan or red bumps.
  • Ingrown hairs can be cosmetically disfiguring.
  • Ingrown hairs are often caused by improper shaving.
  • Ingrown hairs may resolve on their own without treatment.
  • Infection of skin can occur.
  • Avoid close shaves to prevent ingrown hair.
  • Ingrown hairs may require ongoing maintenance therapy.
  • Many topical creams are available to help control ingrown hairs.
  • A combination of treatments may be needed to achieve the best result.
  • Laser hair removal can be a good option to prevent ingrown hairs.

What is an ingrown hair?

An ingrown hair happens when the sharp tip of the hair curls back or grows sideways into the skin. It is a benign condition, which usually appears as a small tan or sometimes pink bump under the skin. Often, a small pinpoint (often dark) part of the underlying hair may be seen under the skin bump. In more extensive cases, multiple small red or pink little bumps around hair follicles may be seen on any skin area that has been frequently shaved, such as the face, neck, armpits, legs, and pubic region.

Ingrown hair is a very common skin condition occurring primarily after puberty. Ingrown hairs tend to be more common in areas with coarse hairs, like the bikini area in women, and beard and neck in men. Individuals with thicker, coarser hairs, such as African Americans, tend to have the highest rate of problems with ingrown hairs, particularly of the beard area. Rarely, an ingrown hair may also appear in other skin parts, such as the eyelid. Generally, an ingrown hair is medically harmless, yet it may become cosmetically disfiguring and lead to scarring, skin discoloration (referred to as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation), skin infection, and rarely keloid scar formation.

Reviewed by William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR on 7/25/2011


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Preventing Ingrown Hairs

Shaving the Bikini Area

If you opt to shave your bikini area, you can avoid irritation by following these tips from Julie Harper, MD, clinical associate professor of dermatology at the University of Alabama-Birmingham, and a spokeswoman for Philips Healthcare:

  • Treat razor burn and ingrown hairsby gently exfoliating the affected area with a washcloth in the shower. You can also trim the hair short (avoid shaving) until the redness and irritation has subsided.
  • Resist the urge to perform DIY surgery on razor bumps and ingrown hairs. The bump could get infected and you might be left with an ugly scar. You can try gently lifting ingrown hairs with a toothpick, but don't use anything too sharp. If the hair doesn't lift easily, stop, and if the area is tender or hot to the touch, see your doctor.
  • Refrain from taking hot showers or baths for several hours after removing hair. If the water is too hot, pores can become irritated, causing unwanted bumps and discomfort.
  • Steer clear of workouts and tight clothing immediately after grooming to avoid irritation. Skin can be extra-sensitive to bacteria, moisture, and chafing from your workout clothes.

Many women prefer longer-lasting results, however, and opt for the bikini wax. Hair removalis one of the top three services requested in spas, according to Spa Trade, a spa industry business resource.


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