We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What are the Different Types of Ingrown Hair Removal?

Diane Goettel
By
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 10,000
Share

The methods of ingrown hair removal vary according to how deeply the hair has grown back into the skin and whether the pore or the skin surrounding the pore has become infected. Ingrown hair removal methods include exfoliation, the use of creams and ointments that are intended for the treatment of acne, tweezing and — in the most severe cases — squeezing the ingrown hair out of the skin. It is important when removing ingrown hairs to avoid breaking or cutting the skin as this can lead to more ingrown hairs as well as infection. It is also important to make sure that any tools that are used, such as tweezers, are sanitized before they are used to extract ingrown hairs. In some cases, the various ingrown hair removal methods will not work immediately and the skin must be given time to heal on its own.

The two least invasive forms of ingrown hair removal include the use of exfoliating scrubs and the use of lotions that are made with alphahydroxy acids (AHAs). Exfoliating can be easily done in the shower or bath on a daily basis. There are exfoliating scrubs that can be used all over the body as well as exfoliating products that can be used on the face. This latter category of exfoliating products is best to use for people who are having trouble with ingrown hairs on the face or neck. They can also be used on sensitive areas of skin that are affected by ingrown hairs.

Simply rubbing the exfoliant over skin that has been soaking in warm water can loosen ingrown hairs. This is especially true for hairs that are trapped under just a thin layer of dead skin cells. Some skin will require regular application of exfoliants. Products with alphahydroxy acids will also help to remove dead skin cells and bring an ingrown hair to the surface. AHAs are the kinds of acids that are used in light chemical peels.

In some cases, exfoliating and using lotions with AHAs is not sufficient for ingrown hair removal. For hairs that are deeply embedded in the skin, it may be necessary to use tweezers to pull the hair out from under the skin. This form of ingrown hair removal must be done gently. Also, the hair should be pulled out in the same direction in which it is growing. In the case of ingrown hairs that have become infected, the hair might have to be squeezed out the the skin along with any pus that has formed around it.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Diane Goettel
By Diane Goettel
"Diane Goettel has a BA from Sarah Lawrence College and an MA in English from Brooklyn College. Diane lives in Mount Vernon, New York with her husband, Noah. They are the proud parents of a Doberman Pinscher named Spoon. Specialties: book editing, book marketing, book publishing, freelance writing, magazine publishing, magazine writing, copywriting,"

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
By candyquilt — On Apr 04, 2013

@feruze-- Exfoliation is also the best and only way to prevent ingrown hairs in the first place. Most of us have ingrown hairs because we shave or wax but forget to exfoliate the dead skin afterward. As the new hair grows, it gets caught under this dead skin and cannot make it to the surface.

Everyone who shaves, has to exfoliate their skin on a regular basis. I realize some people have sensitive skin but a washcloth will do the job too!

By bear78 — On Apr 03, 2013

@ddljohn-- I could never remove an ingrown hair with a needle. You're very courageous!

The way I remove mine is by exfoliation. I use a loofah regularly in the bath. It takes longer for the ingrown hairs to come out but I think it's the best way.

By ddljohn — On Apr 03, 2013

I'm sure these aren't the best methods for the removal of ingrown hairs, but I either squeeze them or use a sterile needle.

Squeezing works if the ingrown hair is infected. As the pus comes out, so does the hair. It's also a good opportunity to clean it to prevent the infection from getting worse.

If there isn't an infection and if I can see the ingrown hair under my skin, I use a sterile needle and slightly dig into my skin to remove it. I sterilize the needle by burning the tip. I never dig too deep, so it's not painful.

I always wash the area with soap and water and then apply an antibiotic cream on it afterward.

Diane Goettel
Diane Goettel
"Diane Goettel has a BA from Sarah Lawrence College and an MA in English from Brooklyn College. Diane lives in Mount...
Learn more
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-are-the-different-types-of-ingrown-hair-removal.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.