Ingrown hairs, or pseudofolliculitis barbae, literally occurs because hair grows inwards instead of outside the skin pores. Generally, this condition occurs in people who have very curly hair, especially because curly hair tends to grow in a curved position so that it goes back into the skin pores. In addition, the condition is also more common in hair that is shaved, pulled, or cleaned by waxing methods. To minimize the risk of infection or scarring when trying to remove ingrown hairs, try these tips!
Step
Method 1 of 4: Using a Warm Compress
Step 1. Make a warm compress
Soak a soft-textured towel or cloth in very warm water. After that, use the towel to compress the ingrown hair area; let stand for 3-5 minutes or until the temperature of the towel cools down again.
Repeat the process at least three to four times before you move on to the next step
Step 2. Push the hair out of the skin pores
After compressing several times with warm water, try to remove the ends of the hair from the closed skin pores. Very carefully, use a pair of tweezers to press down on the skin and push the hair strands toward the surface. Try to straighten the position so that the hair grows back in the right direction.
- Slowly, pull out the ends of the hair that have been removed with tweezers. Do not pull the hair down to the roots to prevent the hair from growing back inwards.
- Do not try to pry out the ingrown hairs. If the ends still don't come out, be patient and try again the next day.
- Use tweezers that have been sterilized with alcohol.
Step 3. Let the hair rest while continuing to compress it
After the ends of the hair are successfully removed, let stand for 24 hours. While you're waiting, continue to compress your hair every two hours and make sure the ends don't sink back in.
- Use a warm compress to soften the skin and hair.
- Don't pull the hair to get it out. Be careful, this action can actually stimulate hair growth into the skin.
Method 2 of 4: Using Natural Ingredients
Step 1. Exfoliate
Exfoliating the skin is one of the most effective ways to remove hair that has grown into the skin. Do this method gently and be very careful not to irritate the skin! If possible, use a natural exfoliant and rub it in circular motions onto the skin.
- Mix tsp. baking soda, sea salt (sea salt), or sugar with 1-2 tbsp. olive oil. Apply the mixture to the ingrown hair area using your fingertips or a cotton swab.
- Use one or two fingertips to exfoliate the skin in circular motions. First, rub the skin clockwise from number three to number five. After that, rub the skin counterclockwise from and towards the same number.
- Rinse with warm water and pat dry.
Step 2. Apply honey to moisturize the skin
Honey is one of the natural remedies that you should try to get rid of ingrown hairs on the skin. Besides being effective in moisturizing the skin, honey also contains antibacterial properties that can prevent infection. Honey also has the ability to open the skin pores and free the hair strands inside.
- Take a little honey with your fingertips, then apply it to the skin. Leave it for 20-30 minutes or until the honey is completely dry.
- Rinse the honey with warm water and pat dry. Do this process twice a day.
Step 3. Apply moisturizer to ingrown hairs
Make sure the skin is not too dry so that the hair is more easily removed from the skin pores. Therefore, apply a small amount of moisturizer to the skin to close the series of treatments you are doing.
Doing so can soften the skin, prevent irritation, and reduce the risk of scar formation
Method 3 of 4: Avoiding Permanent Skin Damage
Step 1. Do not pluck ingrown hairs
Even if they are annoying (especially if they appear on the face), embarrassing, or even painful, never try to pry them off with a needle, pin, or other sharp object. Be careful, this may increase the risk of infection or scar formation on the skin!
- Do not damage the skin layer by picking, cutting, or scratching it. These actions can also cause irritation, infection, or wounds that leave scars.
- Be patient and let the area heal on its own.
Step 2. Do not pluck or shave the hair in the area
If any hair grows into the skin, don't try to pull it out or pick it up! Whenever you notice an ingrown hair, stop shaving or waxing immediately. Do not pull or remove hair from the affected area of the skin until the condition has completely healed.
- Once the ingrown hairs have been removed, don't touch the area for a few days. For men, if the area is an area of skin that you shave every day, consider stopping shaving for a few days.
- If you want, you can also try alternative methods of removing hair, such as using a depilatory cream or trimming the growing hair.
Step 3. Understand the dangers of ingrown hairs
In fact, ingrown hairs can irritate the skin and form lumps that are itchy or very painful. Plus, ingrown hairs can get infected too! If infected, the lump that appears will be filled with pus that is opaque white, yellowish, or even greenish.
- Sometimes, the lump is darker in color than the surrounding skin. Be aware because the color difference can be permanent and leave a mark that spoils the aesthetics.
- Ingrown hairs can also leave scars, especially if you try to pull them out or pick them up with a needle, safety pin, or other object.
- Generally, you do not need to see a doctor because of hair growing into the skin. However, of course you can do this if the condition is too frequent, chronic, or painful.
Method 4 of 4: Prevent Ingrown Facial Hair
Step 1. Do not use products that contain alcohol
Ingrown facial hair is common in post-shave men. To prevent this from happening, avoid shaving products that contain alcohol!
- Products that contain alcohol can dry and irritate facial skin. As a result, the risk of ingrown hairs will increase.
- Use a shaving cream that is able to moisturize the skin, and is made from vegetable oil or other hypoallergenic (allergenic) substances to reduce the risk of irritation and prevent acne conditions from getting worse.
Step 2. Compress your face with warm water before shaving
Another way to prevent inward body facial hair is to hydrate it with a warm or hot towel just before shaving. Warm water will soften facial skin and hair texture and make shaving easier. Thus, the risk of irritation of the facial skin and the growth of hair into the skin will be reduced.
- Compress your face with a warm or hot towel for three to four minutes. If necessary, continue to moisten the towel with warm water to maintain the temperature.
- If you want, you can also shave immediately after a warm shower.
Step 3. Apply shaving oil or cream to your face in circular motions
Applying shaving cream or oil the right way can soften the hair and make it more ready to shave. Therefore, apply shaving oil or cream in circular motions against the direction of hair growth so that each hair root is well coated with the cream. After that, let the cream sit for a few minutes before starting to shave.
- Shave in a gentle, unhurried motion, especially if you're shaving in areas of skin with acne.
- Make sure your razor blade is sharp. If the quality of the blade is not good, immediately replace it with a new razor.
- Use a moisturizer that contains natural ingredients after shaving. Avoid facial creams or moisturizers that contain chemicals and are at risk of irritating facial skin.
Step 4. Consult the possibility of taking drugs to the doctor
Using topical retinoids, low-dose corticosteroids, topical antimicrobials, and potent AHAs (alpha-hydroxy acid) helps reduce the frequency of ingrown hairs. You can also consult the use of topical eflornithine which can slow the growth of facial hair to a doctor.
Step 5. Consider laser removal of body hair
If you want to permanently remove unwanted body hair, or if your ingrown hairs are chronic enough, try laser hair removal therapy. This therapy does not require a long time, can work more effectively on hair that is not too long, and provides permanent results. However, understand that laser therapy is generally very expensive. In addition, this therapy can also cause pain, make the skin slightly blistered or scarred, and needs to be done several times to get maximum results. If you want, try discussing this option with your doctor.
