Shaving is part of the almost daily routine for many women and men. The dream of smooth skin is big. Unfortunately, shaving puts a lot of strain on human skin, resulting in pimples, irritation and even minor injuries. Ingrown hairs that seem difficult to remove are particularly annoying. This phenomenon is well known in connection with hair removal.
They occur on many parts of the body, can become inflamed and cause problems. Here you can find out how to remove ingrown hairs and what to do if you get stuck. We have also summarized how you can avoid ingrown hairs in the future and answered the most frequently asked questions in detail.
the essentials in brief
- Ingrown hairs affect many people who shave more frequently. Affected parts of the body are often the face, the genital area and the armpits.
- Ingrown hairs usually go away on their own. Nevertheless, it can happen that it develops into a dangerous abscess. If you have any suspicions, you can consult a doctor!
- You can avoid ingrown hairs with a gentle shave, the right skin care or hair removal alternatives.
What is an ingrown hair?
Pretty much everyone has had an ingrown hair. Very few people know what lies behind it. Such hair often arises in connection with shaving or epilation. If the hair is shortened or removed, the hair that grows back may not grow above the surface of the skin.
The result is a hair that grows more and more beneath the surface of the skin. Parts of the body that are shaved are particularly affected. So the face, armpits, intimate area or the bikini zone. If the hair is frizzy and thick, the development is favored. (1)
Background: What you should know about ingrown hairs
At this point we have summarized the most important questions and answers about ingrown hairs for you and answered them in detail.
What are the causes of an ingrown hair?
The causes of an ingrown hair are obvious: Hair removal. Not every person who shaves gets it. There are many things you can do to avoid waxing. If a hair is trimmed, it can grow under the skin.
Smooth Legs: Hair removal is the most common cause of ingrown hairs. (Image Source: Anthony / Unsplash)
Men who shave their beards are particularly affected. Due to the frequent irritation of the skin and the special hair type, an ingrown hair is likely. If you have frizzy, curly, and thick hair on some parts of your body, you should shave carefully. Unfortunately, this affects almost everyone in the intimate area and under the armpits. (2)
What are symptoms of an ingrown hair?
Itchy after shaving? This could be an ingrown hair! In addition to itching, small red bumps form on the skin. A slight swelling and pus are also possible. But it shouldn't be painful. You can treat this with home remedies.
However, if the swelling gets bigger and reddens, then it could be an abscess. In addition, there is a large amount of pus and pain. If so, you should see a dermatologist to get it treated! (3)
Can an ingrown hair be dangerous?
yes, an ingrown hair can actually be very dangerous. If the irritation does not subside on its own, a so-called abscess can develop. These abscesses, like a boil, can be painful and lead to blood poisoning. Here's how you can tell the difference between an ingrown hair and an abscess.
| symptom | ingrown hair | abscess |
|---|---|---|
| Pains | small amount | severe pressure pain |
| Size | only slightly visible, small dent | large, easily visible swelling |
| redness | not flushed | severe redness |
| pus | not purulent | purulent, with possible yellowish pustules |
As you can see, an ingrown hair is pretty easy to tell apart from an abscess. As always, exceptions prove the rule. If you're not sure, it's better to see a doctor to take a look. Even an abscess can go unnoticed in some cases. (4)
What do I have to consider if I have an ingrown hair in my intimate area?
Ingrown hairs are more common in intimate areas. People often shave there. If you notice such a hair, you should refrain from shaving or epilating in the coming period to give the skin a break until the ingrown hair has freed itself.
Cotton underwear can support and speed up the healing of an ingrown hair in the intimate area.
Light and breathable cotton underwear can promote the healing process. Frequent cleaning of the affected skin area can prevent bacteria and inflammation. Waxing or a gentle epilation can reduce the risk of ingrown hairs if you're prone to them. There is a wide selection in drugstores. (5)
Can I treat an ingrown hair myself?
In principle, it is possible to help the hair back on the right path itself. You have to make sure that no bacteria get in. You can use certain creams to soothe the inflammation or help the hair to the surface. Wash your hands thoroughly beforehand. Actually, your body manages to solve the problem on its own.
There are also some home remedies that can help. You can find out what these are below. Under no circumstances should you pinch or cut the ingrown hair. This can result in an abscess, which you should also urgently keep your hands off. If the ingrown hair bothers you a lot, a doctor can help. (6)
When should I see a doctor and which doctor can help me?
With a little patience and discipline, an ingrown hair will go away on its own. However, you must not shave or scratch yourself during this time. Doctoring the wound can also make the condition worse, so see a doctor. The same applies if you have pain, pus, or swelling.
Some home remedies like tea tree oil can help heal. If the condition worsens, you should consult a dermatologist! (Image source: Christin Hume / Unsplash)
If it continues to ignite, you have to keep your hands off it! If you decide to consult your doctor, you can first seek help from your GP. They can help you and transfer you if necessary. It makes more sense to go to a specialist. In this case, it is a dermatologist.
What is an Encapsulated Ingrown Hair?
An ingrown hair can develop into an encapsulation. This can also happen with pimples. If the hair becomes infected, a hair follicle infection can result. Encapsulation occurs when inflammation closes under the skin and a capsule forms around it. The escape of the content from the skin surface is made more difficult.
You should not tamper with such encapsulations yourself. A dermatologist or a traction cream can help you in this case. If germs or bacteria get into the skin, the situation can worsen. Be careful not to shave over it and clean the area often. Not only ingrown hairs form encapsulations. Collagen and zinc are also worthwhile for beautiful skin. (7)
How can I avoid ingrown hairs?
Shaving is the biggest factor in causing ingrown hairs. Shaving against the grain is considered more effective. However, this method not only causes ingrown hairs, but also a number of skin irritations. That's why you should always shave your skin as your hair grows. This is essentially non-irritating. After-shaving care is also useful.
Waxing is a good alternative to shaving when fighting ingrown hairs.
There are many alternatives to shaving these days. Epilation and waxing are popular. These methods remove all of the hair and are less irritating to the skin. You can look around drugstores and find the right hair removal method for you. If you want to stick with shaving, that's not a bad decision either. You should only pay attention to the life mentioned tricks and you can enjoy your soft skin! (8th)
Ingrown Hairs: The Best Tips & Tricks for Ingrown Hairs
For ingrown hairs, there are many home remedies or over-the-counter remedies that can help. You can find out what these are here:
train ointment
You can get an ointment from the pharmacy without a prescription. There are different variants. Your pharmacist can tell you which one is best for you and advise you on how to use it. A Zugsalbe is already available for little money. It draws pus and debris to the surface of the skin so they can drain out. (9)
skin peels
A skin peel is a product that contains small peeling bodies. With this you rub gently over the skin. Dead skin cells are removed and the hair can reach the surface. It is important that you do not rub hard and thus provoke further skin irritation. You can make such a product yourself from sugar and oil.
baking powder
Baking powder is a true all-rounder in the household. It can be used not only for cleaning, but also as a remedy for ingrown hairs. It has an anti-inflammatory effect and can thus alleviate or prevent further inflammation.
tea tree oil
Tea tree oil has long been known for its powerful effects. It has an antibacterial and soothing effect on the skin. You can prevent an abscess with tea tree oil. A few drops of the oil on a cotton pad and it can take effect! Alternatively, you can also try apple cider vinegar .
Warm compresses
A towel soaked in warm water is best. You can leave the compress on for 10 to 15 minutes. The skin pores open and you can grab the hair with tweezers!
Proper shave
If you take care of a razor-sharp shave, you can prevent ingrown hairs. Use good blades for this and change them regularly. Blunt blades cause small skin injuries that can become infected. Shaving against the grain is also not recommended. Shaving with the direction of hair growth is gentler. Products with aloe vera soothe the skin after hair removal.
Alternative for hair removal
Of course, you don't have to do without hair removal. An epilator somewhat reduces the risk of an ingrown hair. The hair including the hair roots are removed. The advantage here is that the skin remains silky soft for longer. Waxing works the same way, except that the hair is removed with a wax and a firm tug. Another option is lasers. (10)
Conclusion
For many people, shaving is part of their morning routine. Few people are aware of the fact that shaving is extremely irritating to the skin. Ingrown hairs and razor bumps are part of everyday life. Ingrown hairs are usually harmless, but they can develop into a dangerous abscess.
You can help the hair break through the skin's surface with a few home remedies. If inflammation develops or the hair does not go away, a traction ointment or a visit to the dermatologist is necessary. If you're prone to ingrown hairs, it's worth considering an alternative to shaving.
References
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