How to Deal with an Ingrown Hair
Ingrown hairs are a pain—literally. They often show up after you shave, wax, or tweeze and can be really uncomfortable. But don't worry, we're here to help. In this blog post, we'll walk you through everything you need to know about ingrown hairs: what they are, how to prevent them, and how to get rid of them.
What is an Ingrown Hair?
An ingrown hair is a hair that has grown back into the skin instead of up and out. This can happen when the hair is cut too short or if it's growing back after being removed (via shaving, waxing, tweezing, etc.). When the hair starts to grow back into the skin, it can cause irritation, redness, and even pain. In some cases, it can also lead to infection. Yikes!
How Can I Prevent Ingrown Hairs?
The best way to deal with an ingrown hair is to prevent it from happening in the first place. Here are a few tips:
- Exfoliate regularly. This will help remove dead skin cells and allow the hair to grow out freely instead of getting trapped underneath the skin.
- Use a sharp razor. A dull razor can lead to nicks and cuts in the skin, which can make ingrown hairs more likely.
- Avoid tight clothing. Tight clothing can irritate the skin and make ingrown hairs more likely.
- Don't pick at your skin. Picking at your skin can irritate it and make ingrown hairs more likely.
How Can I Get Rid of an Ingrown Hair?
If you already have an ingrown hair, don't panic! There are a few things you can do to get rid of it:
- Soak a clean washcloth in warm water and apply it to the affected area for 5-10 minutes. This will help soften the skin and make it easier to remove the hair.
- Use a sterile needle or tweezers to carefully loosen and remove the hair from the follicle.
- Apply a small amount of hydrocortisone cream or aloe vera gel to the affected area to help soothe any irritation.
- If the ingrown hair is infected, see a doctor for treatment options.
Wrap Up!
Ingrown hairs are no fun—but luckily, there are things you can do to prevent them from happening in the first place (exfoliating regularly, using a sharp razor, avoiding tight clothing).
Also, there are things you can do to get rid of them if they do pop up (soaking a clean washcloth in warm water, using a sterile needle or tweezers to remove the hair from the follicle). If you have an infected ingrown hair, see a doctor or reputable stylist in hair salon Denver for treatment options.