Here’s How to Remove a Deep Ingrown Hair Safely, According to Derms

If you have body or facial hair (and are specifically interested in getting rid of it), you may have experienced an ingrown hair before.

If not, consider yourself lucky, because when these annoying hairs appear, it’s not a pleasant problem.

Ingrown hairs are often painful, uncomfortable, and annoying, and many people wonder how to get rid of them as quickly as possible.

We understand the desire to remove deep ingrown hairs, but things get a little complicated. According to dermatologists, most ingrown hairs disappear within a few weeks without removal.

“I advise patients not to try to remove ingrown hairs themselves, as this can cause damage, scarring, or infection, especially if sharp instruments are used,” says dermatologist Dr. Dendy E. Engelman.

It may not sound easy, but the best thing to do is to give your body time to recover and use safe skincare methods, such as gentle exfoliation and anti-inflammatory ingredients, to speed up the process.

Whether you already have ingrown hairs or are looking for tips on prevention, read on to learn everything you need to know about safely removing deep ingrown hairs, straight from a dermatologist.

What are ingrown hairs?

Ingrown hairs occur when hair grows under the skin instead of on top of it. Ingrown hairs often resemble pimples and appear as red, raised bumps. They may be itchy, painful, swollen, or uncomfortable.

“Ingrown hairs often occur after shaving, plucking, or waxing, and can occur anywhere hair grows, such as the face, legs, armpits, and pubic area,” Engelman says. What causes ingrown hairs?

Ingrown hairs often occur when hair grows back into the skin after it has been removed. 1 “The most common cause of ingrown hairs is waxing, shaving, plucking, threading, or cutting hair close to the skin,” explains dermatologist Dr. Melanie Palm.

“Dead skin cells can also clog the follicles, causing the hair to grow under the skin instead of outside it.”

People with coarse, thick, or curly hair are more likely to experience ingrown hairs. 2 However, anyone with hair can experience ingrown hairs.

Can ingrown hairs be removed?

Ingrown hairs usually go away on their own. This means that in most cases, you don’t have to worry about removing them. However, if an ingrown hair is causing a serious problem and lasts for more than a few weeks, a visit to the doctor is recommended.

“If you still have ingrown hairs after about two weeks or if the condition worsens, I recommend seeing a dermatologist,” says Engelman.

You can remove ingrown hairs yourself, but it’s usually best to leave this task to a dermatologist or your primary care physician.

“Visible ingrown hairs can be removed with a sterile needle and tweezers,” says Pam. “But unless you have the experience and skills to do so in a clean environment,

I generally recommend against removing ingrown hairs yourself because of the risk of infection, scarring, and skin damage.”

How to safely remove ingrown hairs

Remember: If you have an ingrown hair and it’s not removable, see a dermatologist. In some cases, laser hair removal is used to remove ingrown hairs. Technology in this field has advanced significantly, and doctors can now use lasers to treat all skin types.

“It’s very effective, less painful, and most importantly, safe for people with darker skin tones, which is extremely important given the changing demographics of the U.S.,” Palm says.

Or, your doctor may prescribe a topical treatment, such as tretinoin, to reduce skin pigmentation and remove dead skin cells. He or she may also prescribe steroids to reduce inflammation and swelling.

Some treatments are even simpler. Your doctor may recommend applying warm compresses to the ingrown hair or stopping hair removal in the area. Some dermatologists recommend applying apple cider vinegar to the ingrown hair.

This is helpful, Engelman says, because apple cider vinegar has anti-inflammatory properties that can soothe irritated skin. In severe cases, Palm adds, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to prevent infection.

Can ingrown hairs be prevented?

Ingrown hairs can’t be completely prevented, but there are steps you can take to reduce their occurrence. Here are some top tips from Engelman and Palm.

Prepare with water: Wash your skin with warm water before shaving, plucking, or waxing.

Use shaving foam or gel: Always apply gel, cream, body wash or conditioner before shaving. This provides more moisture and can prevent ingrown hairs.

Choose the right razor and the right technique: Use a sharp razor and shave in the direction of hair growth. This can reduce skin irritation and reduce the likelihood of razor bumps and hair growth at different angles.

Use an exfoliant: Use a gentle exfoliant as part of your routine before or after shaving. It helps remove dirt and dead skin cells that can clog pores or hair follicles.

Moisturize your skin: Take care of your skin with a regular moisturizer.

Conclusion

If left untreated, most ingrown hairs will go away quickly. However, if an ingrown hair really bothers you or persists for more than a few weeks, make an appointment with your GP or dermatologist.

You may not want to remove ingrown hairs yourself. This carries the risk of skin damage or infection, but considering that a large proportion of ingrown hairs go away on their own, the risk is often not worth it.