Home remedies and OTC exfoliants may help reduce ingrown pubic follicles. Some practices, such as hygienic shave habits, can prevent them.
Ingrown pubics occur when pubic hairs grow back down into the skin, instead of growing up. This can occur after pubic hair is shaved or waxed. Ingrown hairs can be caused by:
- Papules are small, round bumps.
- Small pustules are pus-filled bumps
- Hyperpigmentation is the darkening of the skin surrounding the ingrown hairs.
- Ingrown hairs can cause pain and itching.
- Swelling or irritation
- Ingrown hair cysts are larger bumps that can be painful.
How to treat ingrown pubic hairs?
Ingrown pubic hairs
You may need to use one of these treatments if the hairs do not start to grow through the skin.
1. Warm compresses
Warm compressesthe affected area
Use a soft toothbrush or a washcloth wet in a circular motion to rub the skin.
2. Gently remove the hair
Use sterile tweezers to gently pull the hair once it appears above the surface of the skin.
If you don’t wait until the skin has healed before removing the hair, the hair will grow back. Don’t dig into your skin. You could get an infection if you break through your skin.
3. Exfoliate
Gently exfoliate and wash the area around to encourage the hair to return to the surface.
4. Creams can reduce inflammation
A doctor will prescribe a steroid if the ingrown hairs are causing inflammation and redness. This topical treatment reduces swelling and irritation in the area around the hair.
5. Use retinoids
Retinoids such as Renova (Retin-A) can accelerate the removal of dead skin cells. These medications can also be used to treat dark patches of skin that are caused by ingrown hairs. The doctor may prescribe a retinoid. However, these medications can dry out the skin.
If you are pregnant, do not use products that contain retinoids. This medication can be harmful to your baby and cause developmental problems.
6. Acne Treatments OTC
The OTC acne creambenzoyl peroxide
7. Try natural remedies
Home remediesinflammation
- Tea tree oil is antibacterial and can reduce swelling. It is effective for acne, and it may also help with ingrown hairs. Apply the oil using a cotton swab after diluting it with water.
- Sugar is an exfoliant. Mix sugar with olive oil or honey for a moisturizing skin treatment that reduces bacteria. Apply the paste using a circular motion and rinse with warm, running water.
- Baking soda can exfoliate the skin and reduce inflammation. Mix 1 tablespoon baking soda in 1 cup water. Apply it with a cotton ball and rinse your skin with cold water.
How can you prevent ingrown pubic hairs from occurring?
Ingrown haircertain habits
- Infection can occur if you pull or pick at the ingrown hair.
- Squeezing bumps is better than popping them, which could lead to an infection or a scar.
- Digging under the skin can lead to infection or scarring
- It is not recommended to wax, shave, or pluck the hair until the ingrown hair disappears, as this can irritate the sensitive area.
Ingrown hairs can become infected.
The bumps can be painful or filled with pus if the ingrown hair gets infected.
The doctor may prescribe antibiotic wash or ointment. You may need to take antibiotics by mouth if the infection is severe.
What can you do to prevent ingrown pubic follicles?
In order to avoid ingrown pubic hair, it is best to avoid waxing, plucking or shaving. But this may not be possible.
Ingrown pubic hairs can be prevented by certain practices if you continue to groom your pubic follicles.
1. Shave the pubic area.
If you treat the pubic area before shaving, it may reduce the risk of ingrown hairs when the hair begins to grow again.
Wash your skin first with a mild cleanser. Apply a lubricating shaving cream or gel designed for sensitive skin. Shave against the direction that hair grows.
After you finish, thoroughly dry the area before dressing.
2. Replace your razor blade
Some razors reduce the chance of ingrown hairs. These razors are available in single blades or you can buy one.
The American Academy of Dermatology Association recommends replacing your blade every five to seven shavings. Ingrown hairs are more likely to occur when your blades are dull.
3. Consider laser hair removal
Laser hair removal
The results of laser hair removal are semi-permanent. It requires multiple treatments spread over a period of weeks or months. Laser hair removal doesn’t work as well on lighter colors. You may be at risk if:
- blonde
- White
- Gray
- Red
4. Other hair removal methods are available
You can also use chemical hair removers, but they may irritate skin that is sensitive. Test the product first on a small area of skin before applying it to your pubic region. It’s safe to use if you don’t experience any reaction after 24 hours. Remember that the skin around your genital region is more sensitive than skin on the arm or leg.
Some prescription creams can reduce the growth of hair, particularly when used following hair removal treatments.
The electrolysis treatment is permanent. The electrode is used to destroy the root of the hair. Electrolysis is a similar process to laser hair removal. It requires multiple treatments spread over a period of weeks or months.
5. Exfoliate the skin
Salicylic or glycolic acidshairs
6. Moisturize the area
Ingrown hairsdead skin cells
What causes ingrown pubic Hairs?
The majority of hairs will grow through the skin with no problems. Some hairs can grow under the skin. When you shave the hair can curl and grow under your skin.
When hair grows into the skin again, the body reacts as if the hair were a foreign substance, causing inflammation.
Ingrown hairs may be more common in certain people. Ingrown hairs are more common in people with thick curly hair than those with thin, fine hair. This is particularly true for pubic hair which is coarser than hair on the head and the rest of the skin.
When should you seek help?
Ingrown pubic hairsyour doctor
- You often get ingrown pubic hairs.
- If you have excessive hair, it could be a sign of underlying health problems.
- Infected ingrown hairs
Takeaway
Ingrown hairscertain habits
