Why does ingrown hair

Check if you have ingrown hair Credit:. Do wet your skin with warm water and use shaving gel shave in the direction the hairs are growing use as few strokes of the razor as possible rinse the razor after every stroke hold a cool, wet cloth to your skin after shaving to reduce irritation use an exfoliating scrub to help release any trapped hairs try a different hair removal method, such as hair removal cream try a long-term way of removing hair, such as laser treatment.

Find a pharmacy. Non-urgent advice: See a GP if:. Plucked hair grows back through the follicle. As such, it may not make it all the way to the surface of the skin before turning and clogging the follicle. When this happens, the hair in the follicle can become stuck or grow sideways into the skin, causing an ingrown hair. In some cases, the hair can be seen growing under the surface of the skin.

Friction caused by wearing tight clothing for extended periods of time can also cause ingrown hairs. The friction caused by body movement throughout the day can also rub hairs against the skin continuously. This causes the hairs to turn around and push back into the follicle. If waiting it out is not an option, there are other methods people may want to try. Hairs that have grown back into the follicle can be gently coaxed out using a warm washcloth and soft toothbrush.

After soaking a washcloth in warm water, apply it to the ingrown hair to warm and relax the pores and follicles. Rubbing the washcloth in a gentle circular motion may help uncurl the hair. If this does not work, rubbing a very soft toothbrush in a similar motion over the area may help unclog the follicle and release the trapped hair.

The first step to treating an ingrown hair is to stop doing things that may irritate it. People may need to stop shaving, waxing, or plucking the area around the ingrown hair.

Scratching an itchy ingrowing hair should also be avoided. Also, people should wear loose clothing on areas surrounding the hair to avoid friction. These simple practices are often enough to make the ingrown hairs go away on their own. When a hair grows to about 10 millimeters in length, it will usually release itself from the follicle. Once any part of the hair appears above the skin line, a sterile needle or tweezers can be used to pull the hair straight. Only do this once the hair is above the skin.

Digging into the skin to pull the hair out can cause an infection. It is also important not to pluck the hair out, as this increases the chance that the hair will be ingrown again as it grows back.

The inflamed area surrounding the hair needs time to heal completely before removing the hair again. Use gentle soaps to clean areas around the ingrown hair and prevent infection.

Using natural exfoliates around the hair can also help remove dead skin cells. Exfoliating also helps clear the inflamed and irritated skin around the hair. Sometimes ingrown hairs are irritating to deal with or become a regular problem. When this happens, some people stop removing hair in the problem area altogether. Individuals who get ingrown hairs on their necks from shaving may switch to trimming instead.

Problematic pubic hairs can be cut short instead of removed entirely to help prevent ingrown hairs. There are also a few products and treatments available to prevent these ingrown hairs. However, if the problem is persistent, people should see their doctor for other preventive measures. These methods can include intense pulse light therapy or prescription creams to reduce hair growth.

Such preventive measure can help decrease the risk of deeper infections and scarring. Using creams with salicylic acid can help open the pores and follicles, preventing them from clogging. Some people regularly use homemade exfoliators to reduce ingrown hairs. The hair becomes encapsulated within the hair follicle and can cause a mild infection.

This creates a red bump or mild inflammation in the area. It sometimes looks like acne with a head filled with pus. Ingrown hairs are more likely to occur on the bikini line or in the underarm area.

A: There are several products and practices that sometimes spark problems with ingrown hair:. However, some people develop hyperpigmentation, or darkening of the skin because of it. You can treat these conditions with chemical peels or other skin-care regimens. If you have a darker complexion, you likely will have more problems with scarring or marks left behind from ingrown hairs than those with lighter skin.

But there are some things you can do to increase your chances of keeping it at bay:. So keep the area clean and dry and avoid shaving there until it clears up.