Ingrown hair is a condition where hairs have curled around and grown back into your skin instead of rising to the surface. Blocked hair follicles can cause this, forcing the hair to grow under the skin rather than outward. Ingrown hair usually happens when you shave, wax, or pluck the pubic hair. This makes the hair pierce the skin and leads to ingrown hair.
When you suffer from ingrown hair, bumps may appear. It is small, red, round, and pus-filled raised bumps similar to a pimple. In some cases, you may notice that the ingrown hair becomes dark due to hyperpigmentation. It can be accompanied by razor bumps, a rash, or a hair follicle infection. This will make you feel pain or itching around the ingrown hair.
Ingrown hair is typical among people who have thick and curly hair. The curly hair tends to bend back and grow into the skin when it’s been shaved. It can appear anywhere; however, the shaved or waxed area tends to develop ingrown hairs. It often appears in men’s legs, cheeks, chin, or neck. It usually occurs in the legs, armpits, or buttocks of women.
This condition is not severe. But it can make you feel itchy, uncomfortable, and embarrassed. This article discusses the top 10 home remedies to get rid of ingrown hair at home.
Top 10 Natural Home Remedies for Ingrown Hair
Baking Soda
The main reason you can use baking soda is that it has properties that will allow you to lessen the inflammation of your skin. Since skin afflicted with ingrown hair is usually painful and itchy, baking soda will help eliminate the itchy feeling.
Direction:
- Place baking soda on one cup of water.
- Use a cotton ball and dip it into the mixture.
- Place the cotton ball with the baking soda on your skin.
- Leave on the skin for about 5 – 10 minutes.
- Rinse off the area with cold water.
- Do this 2 – 3 times a day.
Shave
One of the mistakes people usually make is shaving against the direction of the hair. While this may sometimes remove hair thoroughly, there are instances when shaving against the law of the hair can be complicated because there are different directions that the hair may grow. There are certain things to be remembered:
- Facial hair grows downwards, so you have to shave downwards.
- Facial hair on the neck area grows upwards, so you would have to shave going upwards.
- Hair on the underarms usually grows downwards, although this can vary. It will be essential to shave in the direction of the hair.
Sugar
You can use sugar to help remove the ingrown hair that might be stuck on any area of your skin. Remember that sugar can be used to exfoliate your skin, and this can also help coax out the ingrown hair so that it can get out of the skin.
Direction:
- Mix a cup of white sugar with olive oil.
- Add ten drops of tea tree oil and lavender oil. It should be ten drops for each type of oil.
- Place the scrub on the area.
- Scrub the skin in motion for a few minutes.
- Wait for a while before rinsing with water.
- Do this about 2x a week.
Warm Compress
What a warm compress can do is it will soften the skin, and since the skin has already softened, the hair might go out. At this point, you may be wondering what you are going to use to make your skin softer; here are some things that you can do:
- Use a hot cloth with warm water.
- Place the warm cloth on the spot where the ingrown is.
- Leave it for 10 minutes.
- You can try to remove the hair if it starts to appear with the use of the tweezer.
- If it does not, just let it be because there are other home remedies you can try.
Aspirin
The great thing about aspirin is that it can help reduce the redness and inflammation brought about by ingrown hair. Since aspirin contains anti-inflammatory properties, the inflammation will die down, and you will start to feel better.
Direction:
- Melt aspirin in a tablespoon of warm water.
- Place honey or sugar with a tablespoon of aspirin and water.
- Place the paste on the area of the ingrown hair.
- Leave on the area of the ingrown hair for about 10 minutes.
- This may have to be done twice a week until the inflammation subsides.
Black Tea Bags
You can try many home remedies, but you must admit that black tea bags can be very effective. Since Black tea contains tannic acid, you can be sure that you will effectively reduce the redness of the skin. The area where the ingrown hair is will also become less inflamed.
Direction:
- Place a black tea bag in a cup of warm water.
- Please remove the black tea bag and place it on the affected skin area.
- Leave on the tea bag for about 2 – 3 minutes.
- Do this several times a day until the inflammation subsides.
Salt
The great thing about salt is that it can help expose the hair to make it easy to remove. At the same time, this can also help increase blood circulation. Effectively using this salt can help remove ingrown hair and eliminate inflammation.
Direction:
- Make a solution made out of salt and warm water.
- Use cotton and dip it into the solution.
- Place the solution on the affected area and leave it on. It may be best to place it at night to get the best results possible.
Honey
One of the things that can be said about honey is that it has antibacterial properties that can make it effective in ensuring that the skin will not be infected anymore. Do remember that honey can help moisturize the skin. You can be sure that your skin will become less inflamed with honey.
Direction:
- Place a layer of fresh honey on the affected area of the skin.
- Let it dry. You may have to wait about 10 – 15 minutes for that to happen.
- Rinse off with cold water.
Cucumber
Cucumbers are well known for having a colder temperature on the inside than on the outside. This makes them cold if you would place them on the refrigerator beforehand. Cucumbers are also well known for having anti-inflammatory properties. This can help eliminate the inflammation the skin is going through because of the ingrown.
Direction:
- Rub the chilled cucumber on the affected area.
- This would have to be done in about 2 – 3 days.
- This would have to be accomplished in about a week.
Apple Cider Vinegar
You did not think this list would be complete without apple cider vinegar, right? Apple cider vinegar is known for various home remedies, and ingrown hair is just one thing it can do. Apple cider vinegar can effectively soothe the skin and take away inflammation.
Direction:
- Dip apple cider vinegar using cotton on the affected area of the skin.
- Make sure that the skin will absorb the apple cider vinegar.
- This has to be done twice daily.
With all these things you can do to get rid of your ingrown hair, you know you will lessen the chance of your ingrown hair becoming inflamed and painful.
How to Prevent Ingrown Hair
- Try to avoid using a razor. Suppose necessary, try to use a sharp and single-edged razor. This can help reduce the risk of ingrown hairs.
- Moisten your skin with warm water before shaving, and tease out any fixed ingrown hairs with an exfoliating scrub.
- Wash your skin with shaving cream, gel, or mild soap to reduce irritation.
- Gently remove the ingrown hair in the direction of your hair growth. Do not shave the beard too short.
- When you’re finished, use a cool towel to make a cold compress. Dry the area thoroughly before you put on your pants and underwear.
- You can also use laser hair removal to remove the ingrown hair permanently. Laser hair removal can damage the hair follicle and prevent hair from growing back. The cons are expensive, and light-colored hair is not practical.
- Avoid pulling or picking the ingrown hair to prevent infection.
- Avoid popping the bumps, as this can lead to an infection or a scar on your skin.
- You should see your doctor if you often get ingrown or unusual hair growth. Other health issues may cause this.
You may notice the bumps filled with pus if the ingrown hair gets infected. This will make you feel pain and Irritating. You should see your doctor immediately. If the infection is severe, you may need antibiotic ointment or an antibiotic by mouth.
