Ingrown hair is a condition where a

hair Hair is a protein filament that grows from follicles found in the dermis. Hair is one of the defining characteristics of mammals. The human body, apart from areas of glabrous skin, is covered in follicles which produce thick terminal and ...

curls back or grows sideways into the

skin Skin is the layer of usually soft, flexible outer tissue covering the body of a vertebrate animal, with three main functions: protection, regulation, and sensation. Other animal coverings, such as the arthropod exoskeleton, have different ...

. The condition is most prevalent among people who have coarse or curly hair. It may or may not be accompanied by an infection of the

hair follicle The hair follicle is an organ found in mammalian skin. It resides in the dermal layer of the skin and is made up of 20 different cell types, each with distinct functions. The hair follicle regulates hair growth via a complex interaction betwee ...

(

folliculitis Folliculitis is the infection and inflammation of one or more hair follicles. The condition may occur anywhere on hair-covered skin. The rash may appear as pimples that come to white tips on the face, chest, back, arms, legs, buttocks, or head. A ...

) or "razor bumps" ( pseudofolliculitis barbae), which vary in size. While ingrown hair most commonly appears in areas where the skin is shaved or waxed (

beard A beard is the hair that grows on the jaw, chin, upper lip, lower lip, cheeks, and neck of humans and some non-human animals. In humans, beards are most commonly seen on pubescent or adult males, though women have been observed with beards ...

leg A leg is a weight-bearing and locomotive anatomical structure, usually having a columnar shape. During locomotion, legs function as "extensible struts". The combination of movements at all joints can be modeled as a single, linear element cap ...

s, pubic region), it can appear anywhere. Anything that causes the hair to be broken off unevenly with a sharp tip can cause ingrown hairs. Ingrown hairs are also caused because of lack of natural exfoliation in the skin.

Signs and symptoms

Signs and symptoms of ingrown hair include rash, itching skin, and hair that remains despite shaving. The site of the ingrown hair forms a reddish, raised bump, similar in appearance to a

pimple A pimple or zit is a kind of comedo that results from excess sebum and dead skin cells getting trapped in the pores of the skin. In its aggravated state, it may evolve into a pustule or papule. Pimples can be treated by acne medications, anti ...

Prevention

When shaving, a few precautions can be taken to prevent ingrown hairs. When shaving, applying the proper amount of lubrication (in the form of

shaving cream Shaving cream or shave cream is a category of cream cosmetics used for shaving preparation. The purpose of shaving cream is to soften the hair by providing lubrication. Different types of shaving creams include aerosol shaving cream (also kn ...

, gel, or soap) is important to prevent the hair from being forced underneath the surface of the skin. In addition, the application of too much force with a razor can contribute to hair that is cut shorter than the surrounding

dermis The dermis or corium is a layer of skin between the epidermis (skin), epidermis (with which it makes up the cutis (anatomy), cutis) and subcutaneous tissues, that primarily consists of dense irregular connective tissue and cushions the body from s ...

. Using a beard trimmer at the lowest setting (1.0 or 0.5 mm) instead of shaving is an effective alternative. Alternatively, ingrown hair can be prevented by removing the hair permanently, e.g. by

laser hair removal Laser hair removal is the process of hair removal by means of exposure to pulses of laser light that destroy the hair follicle. It had been performed experimentally for about twenty years before becoming commercially available in 1995–1996. One ...

or hair removal through electrolysis. Not enough exfoliation before and after hair removal causes hair to become ingrown. Daily exfoliation prevents the accumulation of excess skin, which can allow hair to grow properly above the skin. Preventative tools include chemical exfoliation: coffee scrub, liquids, creams, or physical exfoliation: gloves, loofah, or an ingrown hair prevention brush with soft and firm bristles.

Treatment

The many different treatments are available for ingrown hairs: * They can be removed with

tweezers Tweezers are small hand tools used for grasping objects too small to be easily handled with the human fingers. Tweezers are thumb-driven forceps most likely derived from tongs used to grab or hold hot objects since the dawn of recorded history. ...

(though this can be painful) or dislodged with a rotatable medical device for ingrown hairs. * Some people who chronically get ingrown hairs use laser treatment or

electrolysis In chemistry and manufacturing, electrolysis is a technique that uses Direct current, direct electric current (DC) to drive an otherwise non-spontaneous chemical reaction. Electrolysis is commercially important as a stage in the separation of c ...

to completely prevent hair growth. * Different products prevent or cure ingrown hair. Some are alcohol-based, while others are alcohol-free. For some, alcohol can cause skin irritation, and thus alcohol-free products may be preferred. *

Prophylactic Preventive healthcare, or prophylaxis, is the application of healthcare measures to prevent diseases.Hugh R. Leavell and E. Gurney Clark as "the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life, and promoting physical and mental health a ...

treatments include twice-daily

topical A topical medication is a medication that is applied to a particular place on or in the body. Most often topical medication means application to body surfaces such as the skin or mucous membranes to treat ailments via a large range of classes ...

application of diluted

glycolic acid Glycolic acid (or hydroxyacetic acid; chemical formula ) is a colorless, odorless and hygroscopic crystal, crystalline solid, highly solubility, soluble in water. It is used in various skin care, skin-care products. Glycolic acid is widespread in ...

. * Twice a day application of

benzoyl peroxide Benzoyl peroxide is a chemical compound (specifically, an organic peroxide) with structural formula , often abbreviated as (BzO)2. In terms of its structure, the molecule can be described as two benzoyl (, Bz) groups connected by a peroxide ...

for several days or weeks is effective in treating ingrown hairs. * Applying

salicylic acid Salicylic acid is an organic compound with the formula HOC6H4COOH. A colorless (or white), bitter-tasting solid, it is a precursor to and a active metabolite, metabolite of acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin). It is a plant hormone, and has been lis ...

solution is also a common remedy for ingrown hairs caused by waxing or shaving. * Use an exfoliating glove in the shower and exfoliate the area every day. Other treatments include putting a warm washcloth over the ingrown hair, shaving in a different direction, exfoliating with facial scrubs, brushes, sponges, towels, salves, or creams containing acids, and

ibuprofen Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that is used to relieve pain, fever, and inflammation. This includes dysmenorrhea, painful menstrual periods, migraines, and rheumatoid arthritis. It can be taken oral administration, ...

or other

nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) are members of a Indication (medicine), therapeutic drug class which Analgesic, reduces pain, Anti-inflammatory, decreases inflammation, Antipyretic, decreases fever, and Antithrombotic, prevents bl ...

References

External links

How to get rid of ingrown hair
- SkinHow.Org
Armpit ingrown hair cysts
- ingrowhair.com {{DEFAULTSORT:Ingrown Hair Conditions of the skin appendages Hair diseases

Signs and symptoms

Prevention

Treatment

See also

References

External links