An ingrown hair, medically termed pseudofolliculitis barbae, occurs when a hair strand curls back and re-enters the skin’s surface after being cut or removed. This causes a foreign body reaction, manifesting as an inflamed, raised bump resembling a pimple. Dermatologists regularly diagnose and treat ingrown hairs, especially when the condition becomes chronic or develops complications. They offer treatments ranging from immediate physical removal to long-term preventative solutions.
Identifying Complications That Require Professional Care
While many ingrown hairs resolve naturally, certain signs indicate the condition requires professional consultation. Significant pain, spreading redness, or warmth around the bump often suggests a secondary bacterial infection, known as folliculitis. If the inflamed bump begins to fill with pus or exhibits a yellowish-white head, this signals an active localized infection.
Another serious development is the formation of a deep, firm, and painful nodule, which may signal a cyst or abscess around the trapped hair. These deep lesions require medical intervention because they will not resolve with at-home care and increase the risk of permanent tissue damage. Chronic inflammation from repeated ingrown hairs can also lead to long-term cosmetic issues. These include post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (dark spots) or the formation of raised, thick scars known as keloids. A dermatologist assesses the severity of these complications and provides targeted treatment to minimize lasting skin changes.
Dermatological Procedures for Removal
When an ingrown hair is visible but trapped, a dermatologist’s first approach is often sterile manual extraction. Using a sterile needle or fine-tipped tweezers, the physician gently lifts the embedded hair loop or tip to release it from the skin without tearing the surrounding tissue. This technique provides immediate relief and allows inflammation to subside quickly. The hair is released, not plucked, to avoid re-creating a sharp tip that could cause recurrence.
For deeper or more complicated cases, such as a large cyst or abscess, a minor surgical incision and drainage may be necessary. This procedure involves numbing the area and making a small opening to release the hair, drain accumulated pus, and reduce pressure and pain. Following drainage, the dermatologist may prescribe topical antibiotics to prevent further infection in the open lesion.
Topical prescription medications are a non-invasive route to manage existing ingrown hairs and prevent new ones. Retinoids, a class of vitamin A derivatives, are frequently prescribed to increase cell turnover and promote exfoliation. This helps shed the dead skin cells that can trap the hair. To reduce the redness and swelling associated with the inflammatory reaction, a moderate-strength topical corticosteroid cream may be used for a limited duration.
A long-term solution for individuals experiencing chronic, widespread, or recurrent pseudofolliculitis barbae is laser hair removal. This procedure targets the pigment in the hair follicle with light energy, destroying the follicle’s ability to produce hair. By permanently reducing or eliminating the hair, the fundamental cause of the ingrown hair condition is removed, offering lasting remission.
Strategies for Long-Term Prevention
Preventing ingrown hairs begins with modifying hair removal habits to reduce the chance of the hair cutting below the skin surface or growing back at a sharp angle. When shaving, first prepare the skin with warm water and a lubricating gel to soften the hair. Shaving should be done in the direction of hair growth using a sharp, single-blade razor. Multi-blade razors can cut the hair too close, increasing the risk of it retracting beneath the skin.
Chemical exfoliants play an important role in a preventative skincare routine by keeping the skin surface clear of dead skin cells that can block hair follicles. Products containing alpha hydroxy acids (like glycolic acid) or beta hydroxy acids (such as salicylic acid) can be applied regularly. These ingredients dissolve the bonds holding dead skin cells together, allowing the hair to emerge freely from the follicle.
For individuals who continue to experience chronic ingrown hairs despite modified shaving habits, alternative hair removal methods can be explored. Using an electric trimmer set to a guard that leaves a small amount of stubble avoids cutting the hair too short, eliminating the sharp tip that re-enters the skin. Depilatory creams, which use chemicals to dissolve the hair shaft above the skin’s surface, are another option that bypasses the use of a razor.
Friction from clothing can be a common cause of ingrown hairs, especially in the bikini area, legs, and underarms. Wearing loose-fitting clothing made from natural, breathable fibers, particularly after hair removal, minimizes rubbing against the skin. This adjustment helps prevent the newly emerging hair from being pressed back into the skin’s surface as it grows.