Ingrown hair: what to do and what not to do
Ingrown hair: wash gently, use a warm cloth, stop shaving for a while and leave it alone. Do not dig it out. See a doctor if it is painful or keeps coming back.
Malik Zerrouki2 min read
A few days. Costs nothing.
Try this first (costs nothing): hold a warm, damp cloth on the spot for 5 minutes, twice a day. Warmth can soften the skin so the hair can come through on its own. Then leave it alone.
What to do
- Wash with a mild, plain soap.
- Use the warm cloth.
- Stop shaving or waxing that area until it clears.
- Wear loose clothes over it.
What not to do
Do not squeeze, pick or dig at it. That can bring in germs and leave a mark. If you can see the hair loop sitting near the surface, you can lift it with clean tweezers, but do not pull it out from below the skin.
Cut the chance next time
- Shave in the direction the hair grows.
- Use a sharp blade and few strokes.
- Do not stretch the skin tight.
See razor bumps after shaving for a longer routine.
If that does not work
Painful, red, warm, pus-filled or spreading skin may be infected. See a doctor or pharmacist. Dark marks and scars after repeated ingrown hairs are also worth asking a skin professional about.
How long to wait
Many ingrown hairs settle within a few days to a couple of weeks. Keep the area clean and let it be. Checking it twice a day is plenty, because poking at it keeps the skin irritated.
Who gets them more
People with curly or coarse hair often get more of them, in general, especially after shaving closely. Tight clothes that rub the area can add to it. Looser clothing helps.
When to get help
See a doctor or pharmacist if a lump grows, hurts a lot, fills with pus, or you get a fever. Repeated ingrown hairs in the same place are also worth asking about, because there are professional options for long-term hair removal that a doctor or skin specialist can explain. This page is general advice and not a diagnosis.
Friction from clothes can also cause thigh chafing, which needs a different fix.
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