There is
nothing more irritating that finding ingrown hair on your legs, hands, and
face. The ones that seem like pimples are the scariest of the lot. Ingrown hair
is very common in people who have curly or coarse hair but almost everyone
faces this problem. It is a condition whereby instead of the hair growing out
of the skin, it curls up beneath the skin. It usually occurs as a result of
dead skin which blocks the hair follicle.
People, who
shave, wax or use tweezers to remove unwanted hair on a regular basis, are
generally prone to ingrown hair. Wearing tight clothes and using incorrect
methods of hair removal can also cause ingrown hair. The two most common
symptoms of ingrown hair are itchiness and rash on the skin. For many
people, ingrown hair is very painful as red bumps similar to those of pimples
appear on the skin and can get infected with pus. There are many ways to treat
ingrown hair at home without spending a lot of money at the spa.
Home
Remedies to Expose Ingrown Hair
1. Warm
Compress
To soften
the tissues around ingrown hair, apply a warm or moist towel on the affected
area. Repeat this until the hair appears close enough to the surface of the
skin.
2. Use
Tweezers
After
applying the warm compress, once the hair is closer to the surface of the skin,
slowly pluck the hair with a point tipped tweezers, so that, the end of the
ingrown hair is above the skin. Remember the aim is not to pluck the hair out
as this is very painful. Don’t forget to sanitize the tweezer with alcohol
before using.
Note: Sometimes
the hair may look like a loop but do not worry about that. The ingrown hair is
simply growing back into the skin, and hence, the loop alike shape. Simply put
a sterilized needle through the loop and gently pull it out.
3.
Benzoyl Peroxide
Benzoyl
peroxide is particularly good for those ingrown hair which are filled with pus
and seem like pimples. Apply it to the affected area several times during the
day, for at least a week. While trying this, remove all the dead skin around
the affected area. This will cut the bump or swelling which will make it easier
for the hair to grow out.
4. Milk
and Out-of-date Bread
This may
sound silly but it does work, especially on a looped ingrown hair. Warm some
milk and dip a piece of bread in it. Now place the bread on the area of the
skin with the ingrown hair and keep it there for about 2 minutes or until the
bread cools. Repeat again for another 10 minutes. Check if the pore has opened
up; if so, use a sterile needle to pull the loop out.
5. Salt
Salt not
only helps in exfoliation, but also increases blood circulation to aid ingrown
hair come out. Take 1½ teaspoons of salt and mix it with 1 cup of warm water.
Dip a cotton ball into this solution and dab it on the affected area. Do not
wipe it off. Best time to do this would be before going to bed, so that the
salt can exfoliate and cleanse the skin overnight. Repeat this daily until the
tip of the ingrown hair appears.
- Another method is to add Epsom salt to
your bath water. Gently exfoliate the skin with a loofah or washcloth
while bathing. Apply moisturizer or aloe vera gel after bath. Repeat it
daily until the ingrown hair exposes out.
6. Change
your Shaving Techniques
Men who have
ingrown hair on their face should not apply too much pressure on the blade and
should not stretch their skin while shaving as this traps the hair stubs in the
follicle. Besides, always use a razor with a single-blade as opposed to a
double or triple blade.
7.
Vinegar
In a bowl,
mix together some vinegar and hot water (remember to keep the mixture warm).
Dip a cloth into this mixture and lightly press it on the affected area. When
the cloth gets cold, dip it again into the warm mixture and apply
again to the affected area. This method takes a longer time
and so you may have to repeat it for at least a week.
8. Laser
Hair Removal
In this
method, a machine points a laser-beam to the affected area and it kills
the hair follicle, hence, pushing the ingrown hair out.
9. Sugar
Sugar helps
in getting rid of dead skin cells and pushing the ingrown hair out. Mix ½ a cup
of jojoba oil with 1 cup of sugar. Add 10 drops of tea tree oil and apply this
mixture onto the affected area. Now scrub the area in a circular motion and
then wash it off with warm water. Do this for two to four weeks or until the
ingrown hair surfaces out.
10.
Baking Soda
Mix together
one cup of water and 1 tablespoon of baking soda. Dip a cotton ball
or a cloth into the solution and apply it on the affected area. Leave it for
five to ten minutes and wash it off using cold water. Repeat this two to three
times in a day, for faster results.
11. Black
Tea Bags
Black tea
bags have a high concentration of tannic acid which make the skin smooth and at
the same time, reduces inflammation and redness. Rub a warm teabag
over the affected area for three minutes every day, for several consecutive
days.
- Alternatively, you can keep the tea
bag in water for some time and then remove all the excess water from it,
into a bowl. Add 1 teaspoon of coconut water to this tea water. Dip a
cotton ball into the mixture, and then place it on the affected area.
Repeat this twice a day until you see the desired change on your skin.
12. Honey
Apply honey
to the affected area and allow it to dry. Then, wash it off with cold water.
13.
Cucumber
Place a few
slices of cucumber in a refrigerator, and after about half an hour, gently rub
the slices on the affected area. Alternatively, mash ½ a
cucumber and mix it in 1/3 cup of milk. Refrigerate the mixture. Dip a cloth or
cotton in the mixture and put it on the ingrown hair. After a few minutes, wash
off with lukewarm water. Use the remedy twice a day, for a few days.
14. Apple
Cider Vinegar
Soak a
cotton boil in apple cider vinegar and apply it on the affected area. Let your
skin absorb it. Use lukewarm water to wash off the area. Use it two times a
day.
15.
Aspirin
Aspirin
alleviates symptoms associated with ingrown hair like inflammation and redness.
All you need to do is soak 2 aspirin tablets in 1 teaspoon of warm water. Now,
add 1 teaspoon of honey to the paste. Apply it over the affected area and let
it stay for at least 10 minutes. Rinse with warm water and pat dry. Use it one
or two times a week.
16.
Coffee
Mix together
¼ cup of unused coffee grounds and 1 cup lukewarm water. Massage the mixture on
the affected area for a few minutes, in a circular motion. Finally, rinse with
lukewarm water. Moisturize with aloe vera gel. The acidic properties of coffee
make it easy to expose the trapped hair.
Herbal
Remedies for Ingrown Hair
17. Aloe
Vera
Use pure
aloe Vera gel and rub it on the skin. Let it dry and then rinse it
off with warm water. Repeat two to three times in a day, for at least a week.
18. Tea
Tree Oil
Tea tree oil
helps reduce swelling and redness caused by ingrown hair. On a piece of cotton
wool, dab a few drops of tea tree oil and keep it on the area of the ingrown
hair. The oil will facilitate the hair come out from beneath the skin and
prevents further growth on ingrown hair. Alternatively, add a few drops to your
body wash and use it to clean your body.
Do’s
- Always keep your
body moisturized while trying any of the above treatments.
- Before shaving, exfoliate the skin.
- Remove the ingrown hair only when you
see the tip of the hair above the skin.
- Always cleanse your skin to get rid of
any surface dirt.
- Once you remove the ingrown hair,
treat it with some antibiotic cream such as Soframycin.
Don’ts
- Do not jab the tweezers into the skin.
- Avoid shaving for up to four weeks
while the skin around the ingrown hair heals.
- Women should avoid using hair removal
creams to reduce the risk of irritation.
- Do not use any medications or
ointments without consulting your doctor.
- Do not pluck the tip of the ingrown
hair, as it will reactivate the problem again.
- Avoid wearing tight clothes around the area which has ingrown hair.
