Are ingrown hairs common for you? Here are how to get rid of ingrown hair and tips for prevention.
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What is Ingrown Hair?
Ingrown hair usually occurs when you shave, tweeze or wax regularly. Instead of growing back in an upward direction, the hair curls onto itself and grows inward, causing painful bumps. It is especially common for people who have thick and naturally curly hair. When you get ingrown hair, you may be able to spot small, round bumps called papules or worse, pus-filled bumps called pustules. You may be tempted to prick it like a zit, but practice caution. Chances are, it will get infected, and you will end up with a bigger problem.
Ingrown hairs are commonly found in areas where you remove hair. For men, it is most common on the face and scalp if they also shave their heads. For women, it happens more in the pubic area, armpits, and legs.
How to Get Rid of Ingrown Hair
- Wash the area with mild soap and warm water. If the area is not irritated, gently exfoliate it.
- Apply a warm, wet washcloth over the ingrown hair. This can help open the follicle and allow it to drain.
- Hold the washcloth in place for 1 minute, then remove it.
- Using a sterilized needle or tweezers, gently tease out the rest of the hair.
- When the entire hair is above the surface of the skin, use the tweezers to grab its base. Pull firmly upward to remove the hair.
- Wash the area again with warm, soapy water, and apply a warm washcloth if needed to help soothe any irritation.
Read also: how to get rid of blackheads?
