Ingrown hairs are hair follicles that grow in the wrong direction, and getting rid of them can be even more challenging than getting rid of pimples. Fortunately, there are some excellent natural remedies that can be very helpful, and if you want to know more about how to get rid of ingrown hairs, check it out! Here we will tell you everything you need to know, including how to prevent ingrown hairs naturally.
What are ingrown hairs?
They are generally nothing serious, but can be quite irritating and visually unpleasant. Ingrown hairs develop when a hair follicle cannot get through a clogged pore, forcing the lock of hair to bend inward. This undesirable growth pattern of re-growing hair on the skin is more likely to occur after waxing, including waxing or tweezing.
Causes and Risk Factors of Ingrown Hairs
Tweezing can result in ingrown hairs when part of the hair follicle is left below the surface of the skin. Pulling on the skin to tighten it while shaving can also cause ingrown hairs, as this action allows cut hair to re-enter the skin without first growing out.
Other times, dead skin cells cause a hair follicle to clog, leaving hair with no choice but to grow sideways below the skin’s surface.
An ingrown hair that grows in the wrong direction is treated as a foreign invader by the body, which is why inflammation is common.
Anyone can have ingrown hairs, but people who shave, tweeze, or wax their bodies are at higher risk of developing ingrown hairs. According to the Mayo Clinic, having frizzy hair is the number one risk factor for having ingrown hairs.
When frizzy hair is cut and starts to grow back, it is more likely to re-enter the skin rather than grow normally. Shaving curly hair dry increases, the likelihood of ingrown hairs.
How to get rid of ingrown hairs
If you have ingrown hairs on your legs, face, or anywhere else, I’m sure you want them to go away quickly. Let’s talk about how to get rid of ingrown hairs naturally.
Circular wash
Getting rid of hair bumps doesn’t have to be a complicated process. According to the Mayo Clinic, there is a really easy ingrown hair remedy; simply wash the area around the ingrown hair with a soft-bristle toothbrush or washcloth in a circular motion for several minutes to loosen the ingrown hair. It is best done before shaving and before going to sleep at night.
Sterile removal
For no reason should you try to burst or squeeze the affected area because not only can this damage your skin, it can also result in an infection.
Many medical experts will commonly say that you can use a sterile needle or forceps to gently loosen the ingrown hair if it is close to the surface of the skin. This method is not recommended for deep ingrown hair removal at all.
Patience
Another option for ingrown hair removal is patience or the “wait and see” approach. Ingrown hairs may not be pleasant, but it is very common for them to resolve on their own without you doing anything. Whatever you do, don’t scratch or try to pick at an ingrown hair with your fingers because this can increase infection and the risk of scarring.
So if you were wondering how to get rid of an ingrown hair naturally effortlessly, just wait. As long as there is no infection and you are sure it is an ingrown hair, there is nothing to worry about.
Sugar and salt
Waxing can contribute to the appearance of ingrown hairs, but if you are waxing your body, you may want to consider a more natural form of this waxing technique. As an alternative to aggressive or chemical-laden waxing, you may want to try this homemade sugar wax recipe, although you can also find sugar waxing available in non-toxic salons.
Sugar uses a paste made from a combination of sugar, honey, water, and lemon juice to remove hair (not skin) without the discomfort of traditional waxing. This is an especially good option for anyone with sensitive skin. Sugar and salt are considered mild natural exfoliate that can be applied to ingrown hair to help reduce redness or irritation.
Ice
To reduce the inflammation of ingrown hairs, you can apply ice or a cold pack. This is also helpful for any pain or itching you may experience as a result of this confusing hair follicle.
Tea tree oil
Essential oils can also help with ingrown hairs. A great option to consider is tea tree oil. This essential oil is well known for its ability to improve skin health. The research demonstrates that the “broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity of tea tree oil against bacterial, viral, fungal and protozoal infections that affect the skin” can also speed up wound healing.
Simply apply a drop or two of pure tea tree oil to ingrown hairs once a day to discourage infection and inflammation while promoting healing.
Avoid tight clothing
To get rid of ingrown hairs on your legs or any other area of the body, you will need to avoid wearing tight and / or non-breathable clothing. Wearing clothes like this over an area where you have ingrown hairs can only make the situation worse. So, opt for loose-fitting cotton clothing that won’t rub against the problem area.
How to prevent ingrown hairs?
How to prevent ingrown hairs revolves primarily around proper hair removal techniques. If you want to prevent ingrown hairs, or worse, infected ingrown hairs, you should never dry shave any part of your body.
Always moisten the area well with warm water and first apply a high-quality natural shaving cream to soften the hair. You can also apply a warm compress before shaving to help prevent ingrown hairs.
Shave in the direction your hair grows naturally and rinse the blade after each stroke. Resist skin tension while shaving. Make sure you don’t use a razor blade for too long; the more often you replace the blade, the less likely you are to suffer cuts and irritations, such as ingrown hairs.
Precautions
Ingrown hairs don’t usually warrant a visit to the doctor, but if you have an infected ingrown hair or if it becomes a chronic problem, you should see your doctor.
Complications of chronic ingrown hair can include a bacterial infection (due to scratching), permanent scars, darkening of the skin (hyperpigmentation), and pseudo folliculitis of the beard, also known as razor bumps.
ALFA