If finding ways to minimize bumps (RE: pimples) on face isn’t struggle enough, some of us also have to deal with ingrown hair. Wait, what is ingrown hair? When hair grows but curls inwards, back into skin instead of outwards and away from the skin’s surface, an ingrown hair is said to be formed. Thus, hair gets trapped under the skin. Think of it as another bump in the way of smooth skin. Ugh.
Sure, ingrown hair springs up like nobody’s business but, there are ways to show it the way out. Lucky for you, we’re having the long-overdue talk on everything about ingrown hair. So, scroll ahead to know the causes and treatments for ingrown hair.
What Causes Ingrown Hair
Ingrown hair generally pops up on back, chest, legs, hands and underarms. They look like tiny, raised red bumps tha
- When you remove hair by waxing, shaving or tweezing, it can sometimes cause the new hair to grow in a wrong direction. As a result, the skin reacts by turning inflamed and curling back the newly grown hair which results in ingrown hair. One way to avoid this is by ensuring you always pull out hair in the opposite direction of hair growth.
- Incorrect shaving technique might also result in the formation of ingrown hair. Avoid shaving too close to the skin’s surface.
- How familiar is your skin with exfoliation? Regular scrubbing clears skin pores by getting rid of trapped dirt, impurities, debris and dead skin cells. Clogged pores can otherwise cause the hair in the follicle to become stuck or to grow in the wrong direction which paves the way for ingrown hair.
- Wearing tight clothes too often that don’t let your skin breathe can push the hair back into the follicle. This can then result in ingrown hair.
How To Treat Ingrown Hair: Home Remedies
Here’s a lowdown on effective home remedies for ingrown hair.
1. Aspirin
Step 1: In a cup of water, add 1 tablespoon of Honey and 3 crushed Aspirin tablets. Mix it well.
Step 2: Dip a cotton ball in the solution and apply a layer of this paste on the affected area.
Step 3: After 10 minutes, rinse off with lukewarm water.
2. Coconut Oil
Step 1: In a bowl, add 1 cup of Sugar, 1/2 cup of Coconut Oil and 8 drops of Lavender Essential Oil. Stir it well.
Step 2: Now apply the mixture on the concerned area and let it sit for 15 minutes.
Step 3: Rinse off with lukewarm water and follow it up with your favorite moisturizer.
3. Oatmeal
Step 1: In a bowl of water, add 1 tablespoon of Baking Soda, and 1 tablespoon of Oatmeal. Stir it well to form a paste.
Step 2: Slather copious amounts of this mixture on the concerned area and leave it on for 15 minutes.
Step 3: Wash off with lukewarm water.
4. Tea Tree Oil
Step 1: In a bowl of water, add 20 drops of Tea Tree Oil. Mix it well to form a diluted mixture.
Step 2: Now dip a cotton swab in the solution and gently pat it on the affected area.
Step 3: After leaving it on for 15 minutes, wash off with water.
5. Aloe Vera
Step 1: In a bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of Aloe Vera Gel and 1 tablespoon of Baking Soda.
Step 2: Gently dab this paste on the affected area and leave it on for 10 minutes.
Step 3: Wash off with lukewarm water and follow it up with your favorite moisturizer.
6. Orange Peel
Step 1: Grind 2 dried Orange Peels. Now, mix it with 2 tablespoons of Olive Oil and 1 tablespoon of Rose Water.
Step 2: Now apply this mixture in circular motions on the affected area for 5 minutes.
Step 3: Rinse off with water and finish off with your favorite moisturizer.
7. Grounded Almond
Step 1: In a bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of Grounded Almond and 1 tablespoon of fresh Yogurt. Mix it well to form a paste.
Step 2: Now, massage the paste in circular motions on the affected area for 10 minutes.
Step 3: Wash off with cold water and finish off with your favorite moisturizer.
8. Sugar
Step 1: In a bowl, add 2 tablespoons of Sugar and 2 tablespoons of Sunflower Oil. Whisk it well.
Step 2: Now apply this paste on the concerned area and let it sit for 20 minutes.
Step 3: Rinse with cold water and finish off with a moisturizer.
9. Rice Powder
Step 1: In a bowl, mix 1/2 cup of Rice Flour with 1/2 tablespoon of Turmeric and 3 tablespoons of Rose Water.
Step 2: Gently scrub this paste on the concerned area.
Step 3: After leaving it on for 10 minutes, wash off with water.
10. Epson Salt
Step 1: Add 3 tablespoons of Epsom Salt and 2 drops of Tea Tree Essential Oil to your warm bath water.
Step 2: Soak in this solution for at least 10 minutes
Step 3: After 10 minutes, rinse off with a mild cleanser and finish off with a moisturizer.
Ingrown Hair Treatment
Here’s a lowdown on products that will help treat ingrown hair on legs, arms and other parts of the body.
1. Cirépil By Perron Rigot In Grown Hair Care Nozzle Tube
Hair removal however satisfying can sometimes be the reason for formation of ingrown hair. This is why it helps to invest in a serum like Cirépil By Perron Rigot In Grown Hair Care that prevents ingrown hair. Brimming with active ingredients like Papaya and Star Anise extracts, this serum helps exfoliate the skin’s surface. Aside from that, it is loaded with hydrating Aloe Vera and soothing Seaweed extracts which keep skin calm and supple. Simply apply this serum before you wax or shave.
2. Nykaa Wanderlust Body Scrub - Mediterranean Sea Salt
Regular exfoliation is key to happy skin. Nykaa Wanderlust Body Scrub - Mediterranean Sea Salt packed with Aloe Vera and other active ingredients gently buffs away the dead skin cells and other impurities blocking the hair follicles. This gives your skin a good wake-up while revealing smooth skin. Plus, the calming aroma of the cool waters of the Mediterranean Sea elevates your bathing experience.
3. MCaffeine Naked & Raw Coffee Body Polishing Oil
Sure, a body polishing oil at first may seem like an unnecessary splurge. But, wait till you know how it helps give you the skin of your dreams: Caffeine extracts team up with Rosehip Oil to tone skin, and relieve marks; Vitamin E heals sun damage; Almond Oil moisturizes skin to keep it supple and free of bumps. For better results, you can use it along with a body scrub twice a week and bid adieu to ingrown hair.
4. Palmer's Coconut Oil Formula Coconut Sugar Body Scrub
Your grandma’s tried and tested recipe for smooth and even skin is now bottled in the Palmer's Coconut Oil Formula Coconut Sugar Body Scrub. With raw Coconut Sugar and Coconut Oil as the hero ingredients, it also includes Tahitian Monoi Oil and Tiare Flower Petals which deliver rich moisture and pamper troubled skin. The addition of Peppermint Oil awakens dull skin. The best bit? It contains none of those questionable elements like parabens and sulfates.
FAQs On Ingrown Hair
1. How to avoid ingrown hair after waxing?
- Exfoliate your skin at least twice a week to avoid the accumulation of debris or dead skin cells. Regular scrubbing will keep the follicles unclogged thereby, preventing ingrown hair.
- If you’ve freshly waxed your skin, it is advisable to allow your skin to breathe by wearing loose clothes that cause minimal friction with the skin.
- It helps to hydrate your skin after the waxing session. Leaving your skin dry and parched will trigger ingrown hair.
2. What does ingrown hair on face look like?
Ingrown hair on face appears like a small, inflamed red bump. The area might feel itchy and uncomfortable. However, if you give it some time ingrown hair goes away on its own.
3. How do you treat ingrown pubic hair?
Here are a few ways to treat ingrown pubic hair:
- Refrain from shaving or waxing pubic hair if there’s ingrown hair. This will only exacerbate the situation and result in more ingrown hair.
- Exfoliate regularly in circular motions to gently extract the ingrown hair.
- Consult with your doctor and use retinoids that can help speed up skin renewal and thus, eliminate ingrown hair. This medication can have side effects and hence, it’s advisable to use only when absolutely necessary and with doctor’s prescription.
