Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 4: Taking care of the ingrown hair
• Part 2 of 4: Bringing the hair to the surface of the skin
• Part 3 of 4: Removing the hair
• Part 4 of 4: Treating an infected ingrown hair
• Necessities
• Warnings

An ingrown hair can be painful, but it is usually not a cause for concern. Ingrown hair usually creates small raised bumps called papules or pus-filled bumps called pustules. Even though they are annoying, ingrown hairs usually disappear on their own if you take proper care of them. If you want to speed up the process, you may be able to remove the hair in question. It is better not to pull the hair from the skin, but try to bring it to the surface of the skin so that you can remove it. However, if you notice the signs of an infection, see a doctor.

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Part 1 of 4: Taking care of the ingrown hair

1. Stop removing your pubic hair until the ingrown hair has healed. It's important to leave the area alone so that it doesn't get irritated and you don't get an infection. When you find yourself with ingrown hair, stop shaving, waxing, and plucking your pubic hair. Let the hair grow until the ingrown hair is gone.
   • Growing your pubic hair can be a pain, but it will help you get rid of your ingrown pubic hair much faster.
   • Most ingrown hairs will disappear on their own within a month. You may be able to remove the hair more quickly if you try to bring it to the surface of the skin.
2. To avoid infection, do not pick on the ingrown hair. Most ingrown hairs do not get infected, but if your skin breaks, you are more likely to get an infection. Leave the area alone so you don't accidentally damage your skin.
   • You may be tempted to try to pry or push the hair out of your skin, but this will only make the problem worse.
3. If you don't have any symptoms of infection, apply a dollop of hydrocortisone cream to the area to relieve itching. Ingrown hair is often itchy, but try not to scratch it to avoid breaking your skin. Instead, cover the hair with a thin layer of hydrocortisone cream to soothe the itchiness. Use the cream up to four times a day. Note that hydrocortisone cream is only available on prescription.
   • It is not safe to use hydrocortisone cream if you have an infection. If you notice pus, redness, swelling, and other signs of infection, see your doctor.
   • Read and follow the directions on the cream packaging so that you don't use too much hydrocortisone cream.

   Variant: instead of hydrocortisone cream, you can also use witch hazel, aloe vera, and benzoyl peroxide. These remedies are available over the counter and can help control your itching, but may not work as well as hydrocortisone cream.

   
   
4. Dab an antibiotic cream on the ingrown hair daily to prevent infection. It will take a lot longer for the ingrown hair to heal if it becomes infected. To avoid this, apply an antibiotic cream to the area once or twice a day to keep the skin clean.
   • Antibiotics are only available on prescription in the Netherlands. An alternative is to use an antibacterial agent.

Part 2 of 4: Bringing the hair to the surface of the skin

1. Apply a warm compress to the area for 15 minutes to bring the hair to the surface of the skin. Soak a washcloth in hot water and wring it out so that it is only damp. Then push the warm washcloth against the ingrown hair for 15 minutes. Do this up to four times a day as needed. This helps to bring the hair to the surface of the skin.
   • You can also use a hot water bottle as a warm compress.
2. Massage the ingrown hair with warm water and soap for 10-15 seconds. Wet the skin around the ingrown hair with warm water. Then put soap on your fingers and massage the hair gently for 10-15 seconds. Finally, rinse the area with warm water to remove the soap residue.
   • Due to the gentle massage and the heat of the water, the hair can come to the surface of the skin.
3. Use a natural exfoliator for 10 minutes to remove dead skin cells. An exfoliator can remove the dead skin cells covering the ingrown hair, which can help get the hair out of the skin. Apply the exfoliating agent and let it sit for 10 minutes. Then wet the area with warm water and gently rub the exfoliator into your skin while rinsing. Here are some natural exfoliants you can use:
   • Make a paste of 100 grams of brown or white sugar and about 3 tablespoons (45 ml) of olive oil.
   • Mix 3 tablespoons (15 grams) of ground coffee with 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of olive oil.
   • Mix 3 tablespoons (40 grams) of salt with 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of olive oil.
   • Mix 1 teaspoon (5 grams) of baking soda with just enough water to make a paste.

   Variant: if you'd rather not make your own, use a commercially available body scrub or exfoliator.

   
   
4. Ask your doctor about retinoids to remove the top layer of skin. For stubborn ingrown hair, you can use prescription retinoids to remove the top layer of skin. Usually this causes the hair to come to the surface of the skin. Talk to your doctor to find out if this is an option for you. Use the topical as directed by your doctor.
   • Retinoids are only available by prescription.

Part 3 of 4: Removing the hair

1. Hold the tweezers around the round part of the hair. The hair should look like a loop or grow to the side. Since it is difficult to see which side is the top, always pull the middle part of the hair until the tip comes out of the skin.

   Variant: use a sterile needle instead of tweezers to pull the end of the hair out of the skin. Insert the tip of the needle under the loop of the hair and gently push it up. The tip of the hair should now come out of the skin. However, don't poke your skin.

   
   
2. Twist the tweezers back and forth until the end of the hair comes out of the skin. Grab the hair with the tweezers and gently pull the hair to the right. Then turn the hair to the left. Keep twisting the tweezers back and forth until the hair comes out of the skin.
   • If you pull the hair up like this, it will hurt a lot when the hair comes out of the skin. It is better to twist the end of the hair out of the skin and then pull the hair out of the skin.
   • Be careful not to poke your skin with the tips of the tweezers.
3. Pull the hair out of the skin when it has come to the surface of the skin. When you have loosened the end of the hair, you can pull the hair out of the skin with your tweezers. Grab the hair close to the skin with the tweezers, then quickly pull it out of the skin.
   • Now you no longer have ingrown hair.
   • It will probably hurt a little to pull the hair out of the skin. However, it shouldn't hurt very much.
4. Wash the area with soap and warm water to clean it. Wet the area with warm water and massage soap into your skin. Then rinse the soap away under the warm tap. This prevents dirt particles and bacteria from entering the empty hair follicle.
   • Pat your skin dry with a clean towel or let it air dry.
5. Apply an antibiotic cream to the area to help it heal. Use your finger or a cotton swab to dab antibiotic cream on the area with the empty hair follicle. This will prevent an infection and the area will heal faster. The cream can also help prevent scarring.
6. Change your shaving method to reduce the chances of a new ingrown hair. Cut your hair short with scissors before shaving. Then take a hot shower or bath for 5-10 minutes or apply a warm compress to the area to be shaved. Use mild unscented shaving cream and shave in the direction of hair growth.
   • Hydrate your skin afterwards and wear cotton underwear to reduce chafing.
   • Consider using a razor that can shave the hair shorter instead of shaving the hair completely.
   • Consider getting your pubic hair removed permanently by a dermatologist with a laser treatment if you regularly suffer from ingrown hair.

Part 4 of 4: Treating an infected ingrown hair

1. If you notice the signs of an infection, see your doctor. It is possible for the ingrown hair to become infected, especially if the skin is broken. If you have an infection, you will need to get proper treatment for the infection to heal. See your doctor if you notice the following symptoms of an infection:
   • Pus
   • Pain
   • Redness
   • Swellings
2. Use an antibiotic if your doctor prescribes one. If you have an infection, your doctor can prescribe an antibiotic. In the case of a minor infection, you will likely need to use a topical antibiotic. If the infection is severe, your doctor may prescribe an oral antibiotic. Use the medicine as instructed so that your infection heals.
   • Complete your course of antibiotics and do not stop prematurely. Otherwise, the infection could come back.
   • You don't need an antibiotic unless you have an infection. An antibiotic does not help to get rid of ingrown pubic hair.
3. Do not try to remove the hair until the area has healed. Leave the hair alone while you treat the infection. Trying to pull the hair out of the skin can make the infection worse. Ask your doctor when you can safely remove ingrown pubic hair.
   • The pubic hair may grow out of the skin on its own when the infection clears.

Necessities

• Hydrocortisone cream, aloe vera, or benzoyl peroxide (optional)
• Antibiotic ointment
• Hot water
• Warm compress
• Soap
• Exfoliating agent
• Sterile needle (optional)
• Sharp tweezers

Warnings

• Do not try to forcefully pull the hair from the skin as this can hurt a lot and lead to an infection.
• It may hurt to pull the hair out, but this shouldn't hurt too much.