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What are the Different Treatments for an Ingrown Hair Pimple?

By Henry Gaudet
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 20,939
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An ingrown hair pimple, also known as pseudofolliculitis barbae or a razor bump, is at the very least an annoyance, and it might cause considerable discomfort or pain. Prevention is the best method of treatment for chronic ingrown hair pimples. Skin lotions might ease the problem by making both the skin and hair softer. When an ingrown hair pimple does form, it might be necessary to pluck the offending hair. In severe cases, medical attention might be required to relieve the condition.

Shaving is often responsible for an ingrown hair pimple. A close shave can leave sharp-ended stubble, and as the hair grows, this sharp tip can be driven into the skin. Other hair removal techniques, such as waxing, also might produce ingrown hairs. Ingrown hairs might not even be exposed, curling from within the follicle shaft and growing below the skin’s surface.

The resulting ingrown hair pimple is an itchy or painful tiny red bump. These bumps might occur singly or across an area of shaved skin. In some cases, the tiny hair growing into the skin might be visible. Irritation can cause a pustule to form on the pimple, similar in appearance to a whitehead.

Often, an ingrown hair pimple will clear on its own. Given time, the hair will continue to grow and free itself. When the ingrown hair is visible, tweezers can be used to pluck the hair and remove the irritation. A sterile needle might also be used to free the hair. After the hair is removed, an astringent should be used to clean the area.

Ingrown hairs are most easily prevented by simply allowing hair to grow. Even short-but-visible stubble can be enough to keep the hairs from curling back into the skin. When hair removal is required, shaving with the hair instead of against the grain makes the formation of ingrown hairs less likely.

Chemical depilatories leave behind blunt-tipped follicles that are less likely to become ingrown. These creams can be harsh on the skin, though, and they might cause irritation. Alternating between shaving and depilatory cream can help to minimize discomfort or redness, and hydrocortisone creams can be used to further ease any irritation.

Permanent hair removal might be an option worth consideration for some people. Laser hair removal works best on dark hairs, and it is quick and easy. Electrolysis, on the other hand, works on all types of hairs, but it requires several treatments. With either method, shaving and ingrown hairs cease to be a concern.

In some cases, medical attention might be required. Antibiotic creams can deal with pustules and abscesses caused by ingrown hairs, and creams are available to minimize disfiguration caused by extreme cases. Some ingrown hairs might even require an incision to free them. Chronic or severe sufferers of ingrown hairs should consult with a dermatologist.

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Discussion Comments
By Pippinwhite — On Jul 11, 2014

This is sort of gross, but an ingrown hair can really hurt! My husband had a pimple on his stomach and wanted me to look at it. I could tell there was an ingrown hair in there. I asked him what he wanted me to do and he said, "Get rid of it."

I got a sewing needle, swished it in alcohol and pricked the pimple and squeezed it. Stuff came out, as I expected, and then I got a pair of tweezers to pull the hair out. It came out most of the way and then stopped. I tugged a little harder and lo and behold, the hair was ingrown because the pore was plugged by sebaceous material! It was like pulling out a wax plug! Very icky. I put a band aid on the place and my husband said it felt better. I would think so, considering what came out of the pore. Yuck.

By Lostnfound — On Jul 10, 2014

I'm a squeezer. I admit it. When I've had an ingrown hair pimple, I either squeezed it or I popped it with a sterile needle. I never had them on my face, but I have had them in my eyebrows, oddly enough. Maybe it's where I plucked them. That would be a reasonable assumption.

I know all the conventional wisdom says you're not supposed to do it because of the risk of scarring and infection, but I was never patient enough to let the hair grow out on its own. I wanted it *gone,* posthaste! At least I had sense enough to sterilize a needle with heat and alcohol to keep it from infecting the place, and I always put antibiotic ointment on the pimple after I popped it. I never got an infection. Maybe I was just lucky.

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