How To Treat Infected Ingrown Hair Bikini Line

How to Properly Treat an Ingrown Hair Down There

Medically reviewed by

BOARD-CERTIFIED DERMATOLOGIST

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If yous cull to remove the pilus around your bikini line, it can be a huge pain (literally). Ingrown hairs are a common side effect of pilus removal, and because the pilus in the pubic zone is commonly thicker and curlier than pilus on the residuum of your body, it has a tendency to turn back into the skin when growing.

"An ingrown pilus is a hair that grows into the skin rather than out and is nigh common in the bikini area where the hair is coarser," explains Anna Karp, DO. "This can be a hair curving back in and re-inbound the pare or a pilus that gets trapped on its way out of the peel. Your torso reacts to this by producing a cerise painful bump that normally looks similar a pimple."

Meet the Expert

Anna Karp, DO, is a board-certified dermatologist and clinical assistant professor of dermatology at New York University Langone.
Purvisha Patel, MD is a board-certified dermatologist and founder of the brand Visha Skincare.

"People with thick hair are more decumbent to ingrown hairs, but everyone can go these irritating, painful bumps," notes Purvisha Patel, Dr.. "They go painful and inflamed when there are micro-infections of the follicle and can effect in pimples/acne in the area." She adds that in addition to hair removal methods like shaving and waxing, chafing from underwear tin cause ingrown hairs.

Acquire how to prevent and care for this unwanted but very common side consequence of popular pilus removal methods.

01 of 08

Utilise a New Razor

Shaving is one of the go-to methods for this zone because information technology'south quick and easy. Hair naturally has a tapered edge, meaning the pilus gradually decreases in its thickness toward the end similar the shape of a blade of grass or sword.

Shaving creates sharp edges on hair when information technology's cutting. This sharp edge makes it easier for the hair to pierce the skin and grow back into it. "While shaving, using a sharp blade and shaving cream is important to prevent ingrown hairs because you lot will crusade the least amount of skin irritation this fashion," says Karp.

02 of 08

Exfoliate Before and Subsequently Shaving

Exfoliating the expanse before and subsequently shaving is an extra step toward keeping ingrown hairs at bay. Patel recommends cleansing the area with an exfoliating trunk wash, such as the Visha Skincare Top2Toe Body Wash ($25), which contains salicylic acid and bakuchiol to prep for grooming.

For ingrowns that have already cropped up around the bikini line, exfoliating can help in alleviating them faster. Patel says to "gently scrub the area twice a day with an exfoliating glove or a washcloth with an exfoliating wash" to remove buildup of oils and dead pare cells.

03 of 08

Shave in the Correct Management

Both Karp and Patel agree that one of the most important things you tin do to prevent ingrown hairs is to shave in the direction of hair growth, despite what you may have been taught, to get a closer shave. When working confronting the grain of hair growth, there may exist more than take chances of it breaking and a potentially increased chance of ingrown hairs.

And exist mindful of the ingredients in your shaving creams and gels: "Shave gels and products that have edible oils in them tin can really clog pores and brand ingrown hairs worse," says Patel.

04 of 08

Try Sugaring Instead of Waxing

Waxing and sugaring remove the hair from the follicle, which is why the results can last so much longer than shaving. Sometimes, though, the pilus breaks above or beneath the skin'southward surface as it's being uprooted. Simply like shaving, these precipitous, broken ends create a breeding basis for hair growing back into the skin.

"Sugaring is improve than waxing for preventing ingrown hairs," says Karp. Keep that in listen if you're prone to getting those aroused carmine bumps. If you go to a professional that uses sugaring paste, you lot'll accept the best run a risk of avoiding hair growing back into the skin. The paste removes hair in the direction of its growth unlike waxing and sugaring gel, which both tend to remove it in the opposite direction.

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05 of 08

Exfoliate, Then Epilate

Epilators utilize tiny tweezers or coils to uplift each hair out of its follicle. There's usually more chance of breakage using an epilator than when you lot go a wax or sugar hair removal because hair isn't always taken out at the perfect bending with these devices. There are many brands and models, and what is used affects how much breakage you experience. If y'all tend to get ingrown hairs, information technology would be wise to avoid this removal method.

06 of 08

Treat Existing Ingrown Hairs

Most ingrown hairs go away on their own. Sitting in warm baths daily or more than than once a twenty-four hours tin can help, every bit do hot compresses on the area. "If yous tin see the hair, a warm compress can soften the pilus and bring it closer to the surface. If you cannot see the pilus, leave the compress on until the hair becomes visible," says Patel. If you accept an ingrown hair that is bothering you, utilize a steroid cream to reduce inflammation and any itching or a topical antibiotic cream if it's painful and seems infected. If it doesn't clear up in a few days or gets worse, see your medico, who might prescribe stronger creams or an oral antibiotic or both.

If y'all're in need of help fast, attain for an ingrown hair fighter, but make sure to keep it on the exterior of your body but. Y'all might also take some ingredients in your cupboard that you can use equally dwelling remedies. And there are other simple things you tin do like exfoliating regularly and using a moisturizer to preclude the bumps from actualization in the first place. Co-ordinate to Karp, "Exfoliating with a glycolic or salicylic acrid solution or pads will help prevent ingrown hairs after waxing/sugaring by removing dead skin cells that are blocking the hair from coming out."

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07 of 08

Consider Laser Hair Removal

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There's always a more permanent choice if you're sick of having irritated skin from waxing or shaving. "Light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation hair removal is the best option if yous don't want to deal with ingrown hairs," says Karp. This technique damages the hair follicle, preventing the pilus from growing dorsum in. If you don't have any hair effectually your bikini line, you don't accept to worry about it growing in the wrong direction.

08 of 08

Swipe On Deodorant

Yes, really. Your antiperspirant could assist keep your bikini area gratuitous of irritations and ingrown hairs, according to Karp. "One fox after shaving is to swipe your stick/soft deodorant over the freshly shaven surface area. Aluminum products take severe, antibacterial, and anti-sweating properties so this can assistance also."