How to Treat an Ingrown Hair Cyst

At-home treatment involves warm compresses, not popping

Medically reviewed by Marisa Garshick, MD

Table of Contents

• Symptoms
• Signs of Infection
• Treatment
• Causes
• Prevention
• When to Seek Care
• FAQ

Ingrown hair cysts are small, fluid-filled sacs of tissue on the skin. They form around a piece of hair that is growing into the skin instead of out of it. Treatment for ingrown pubic hair cysts or ingrown hair cysts anywhere else on the body is usually not necessary unless the cyst becomes infected or inflamed.

The cyst may resemble a pimple on the skin. In some cases, you may be able to see the hair at the surface of the bump. Ingrown hair cysts commonly form on the parts of the body that people shave, such as the armpits. Razor bumps from shaving (pseudofolliculitis barbae) are a type of ingrown hair cyst.

Ingrown Hair or Cyst

An ingrown hair is a place where hair has gotten trapped under the skin. It can cause a fluid-filled bump called a cyst.

This article explains what an ingrown hair cyst looks like and why these bumps form. It also covers some home remedies and medical treatments for ingrown hair cysts, as well as tips for preventing them.

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What Does an Ingrown Hair Cyst Look Like?

Ingrown hair cysts

• Face
• Armpits
• Pubic area
• Legs

A cyst from an ingrown hair can be red, white, or yellow. An ingrown hair cyst looks like a pimple, but it can grow bigger. Sometimes, you can see the hair in the cyst.

If the bump gets larger or redder, oozes, or hurts, it could be infected. An infected ingrown hair cyst needs medical treatment.

Conditions Associated With Ingrown Hairs

Depending on where it is located on the body and what it looks like, you may be able to get an idea of the condition an ingrown hair is associated with:

• Folliculitis is an infection of the hair follicles and can occur anywhere on the skin or scalp. It looks like acne, and the affected area may be itchy or slightly sore. Folliculitis can occur in areas where you shave, wax, pluck hair, or have friction. Sometimes a dirty hot tub or scrubbing brush will be the cause.
• Pseudofolliculitis barbae (razor bumps) is a common skin condition affecting the beard area. It occurs in 60% of dark-skinned people and happens when shaved hair grows and curves back into the skin causing inflammation.
• A trichilemmal cyst (pilar cyst) is another common skin condition. These cysts form at the hair root and are usually found on the scalp. They are usually diagnosed in middle-aged females.
• Epidermoid cysts are also very common. These small sacs form under the skin and are filled with dead skin cells. They are commonly found on the face, neck, and trunk. Epidermoid cysts tend to run in families and are more common in adults than children.
• A pilonidal cyst, or pilonidal sinus, occurs when a pocket forms around a hair follicle in the crease of the buttocks. It may look like a small pit or pore in the skin that has a dark spot or hair.
• Steatocystomasare noncancerous cysts seen in the skin condition steatocystoma multiplex. The growths start in the sebaceous glands, which are responsible for secreting the oily substance sebum. Usually, they first show up in adolescence and appear on the torso, neck, upper arms, and upper legs.
• Eruptive vellus hair cysts are rare. They occur around the root of vellus hair and are most often seen in children, adolescents, or young adults. Eruptive vellus hair cysts will appear on the chest, limbs, and abdomen as reddish-brown papules about 1 to 4 millimeters in diameter.
  

Ingrown Hair Cysts vs. Cystic Acne

Ingrown hair cysts are not the same thing as cystic acne, which are bumps that form under a skin follicle when there is a buildup of bacteria, oil, and dead skin cells.

What Does Cystic Acne Look Like?

Signs of an Infected Cyst From an Ingrown Hair

Ingrown hair cystsrazor bumps

• Swelling
• Pus
• Redness
• Itching
• Pain
• Odor
• Fever
  

How to Get Rid of Razor Bumps

Treatment for an Ingrown Hair Cyst

Ingrown hair cyststhe area

You can help the process along with a simple home remedy. Just apply a warm, clean washcloth as a compress to soften your skin, which can help move the hair to the surface of the cyst.

You can try using some topical treatments—either over-the-counter or prescription from your provider—to help with healing. Natural antimicrobials like tea tree oil can also be helpful.

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How to Treat Different Types of Ingrown Hair Cyst

Treatment for ingrown hair cysts varies depending on the type of cyst involved. Some cysts may need to be treated with antibiotic ointment or surgery, while others may not need any treatment at all.

• Folliculitis: Topical antibiotic creams and lotions as well as oral antibiotics can be used to treat ingrown hair cysts from folliculitis. Chronic or recurring folliculitis due to shaving, waxing, hair plucking, or friction can be treated by allowing the hair to grow out over a period of at least three months. If nothing seems to be working, laser hair removal may be helpful but can be expensive.
• Pseudofolliculitis barbae: You can effectively prevent this condition by letting the beard grow and completely avoid shaving for three to four weeks until the lesions disappear. Your healthcare provider may prescribe mild cortisone, which you can apply every morning. If you do shave, go with the grain of the hair, try to avoid a close shave or use an electric shaver.
• Trichilemmal cyst: This type of cyst doesn't need to be treated unless it's causing symptoms. Surgery may involve cutting open and draining the cyst or removing the cyst without cutting into it.
  
• Epidermoid cyst: Treatment is not needed for an epidermoid cyst unless the cyst is causing symptoms or shows signs of inflammation, like redness or tenderness. If this happens, try a warm compress at home. Healthcare providers may recommend steroid treatment, antibiotics, or surgery if the cyst needs further treatment.
• Pilonidal cyst: If a pilonidal cyst becomes infected, it is called a pilonidal abscess. Antibiotics alone won't heal the infection. Surgery can be used to drain or remove the cyst.
• Steatocystoma: Cysts can be removed by surgery, laser, electrosurgery, or cryotherapy. Oral antibiotics help reduce inflammation.
• Eruptive vellus hair cysts: There is currently no standard treatment for this rare condition. Some patients may see improvement from dermabrasion, erbium:YAG or carbon dioxide laser vaporization, and needle incision.

Do not try to pop an ingrown hair cyst. It will make an infection more likely and can lead to scarring.

What Causes an Ingrown Hair Cyst?

Ingrown hair cystshair follicles

Removing hair is one of the most common causes of ingrown hair cysts, whether from shaving, waxing, or tweezing. These methods can irritate your skin, making it inflamed and swollen.

When new hair forms, if the hair follicle is closed up, hair can't grow out of the follicle and through the skin. Instead, it grows inward or sideways.

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How to Keep an Ingrown Hair Cyst From Coming Back

If you get a lot of ingrown hair cysts, try these prevention measures to keep them from coming back:

• Wash your skin with warm water and a gentle cleanser before shaving.
• Use a gentle exfoliating agent before shaving to remove dead skin cells.
• Use a single blade or electric razor, and try not to keep going over the same areas.
• Keep shaving tools clean.
• Do not shave too closely.
• Always shave in the direction the hair grows and do not pull the skin.
• Shave less frequently, if possible.
• Moisturize your skin after shaving.
  

If you have chronic ingrown hair problems, it might be best to avoid shaving altogether. Instead, consider other methods to remove hair that are less likely to cause ingrown hairs and offer more long-term solutions for hair removal, including laser treatments or electrolysis.

Are There Painless Forms of Hair Removal?

When to See a Healthcare Provider

Ingrown hair cystsan ingrown hair cyst

If the cyst looks infected or didn't go away after you tried at-home treatment, see a healthcare provider. They can give you antibiotics and other treatments to keep the infection from spreading and prevent scarring.

Summary

Ingrown hair cystsooze pus

To reduce the chances of getting ingrown hair cysts, keep your skin clean and gently exfoliated and moisturized. You may want to shave less often. If you do shave, don't shave too close, and always shave in the direction the hair grows.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How do you get rid of ingrown hair scars?

  Laser treatment is an option for getting rid of ingrown hair scars. Although laser treatment can't get rid of a scar completely, it can make the scar less noticeable. It can also reduce scar pain and itch.

• Can ingrown hair cysts cause infection?

  Ingrown hair cysts do not cause infection, but they can get infected if bacteria grow in or around them.

• What can an ingrown hair be mistaken for?

  Ingrown hair cysts can look similar to cystic acne or other pimples. If they're in the pubic area, the bumps can be confused with genital herpes sores.

  Learn More Is It An Ingrown Hair or Herpes?

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LeBrun is a Maryland-based freelance writer and award-winning documentary producer with a bachelor's degree in communications.