Have you ever had to deal with ingrown hair, down there?
You might experience ingrown hair after waxing, shaving or tweezing your pubic hair, maybe in preparation for a hot date or beach trip.
And yes, we know itchy red bumps are not the look you were going for. So, we've asked the experts about the best ways to prevent and treat ingrown hair in your pubic region.
What is ingrown hair?
Ingrown hair usually occurs after hair removal when, rather than rising up to grow out of the skin, hair becomes trapped under the skin's surface and causes inflammation.
We get ingrown hair when hair becomes trapped under the skin.(ABC Everyday: Luke Tribe)Sydney-based dermatologist Tevi Wain specialises in women's genital dermatology, and explains how certain hair textures are more prone to ingrown hair than others.
Dr Wain says areas of your body with thick, coarse, curly hair — like the pubic region — are more vulnerable to ingrown hair.
This is why you're unlikely to experience them after plucking the thin hair on your eyebrows, or shaving the straight hair on your legs, but if you were to pluck or shave your pubic hair in the same way, you might.
The best way to remove pubic hair
Melbourne's Aakriti Gupta is a dermatologist specialising in hair disorders and vulval dermatology.
Both she and Dr Wain agree that laser hair removal is the best hair removal option for avoiding ingrown hairs.
But given laser is expensive, and many laser clinics are closed in lockdown, it may not be the best option for you.
Dr Gupta adds that while there are at-home laser devices, they're generally less effective than the real deal, and are not held to the same regulations as medical grade lasers.
Dr Gupta says you need to be careful when removing hair in your pubic area.(Supplied)She says while hair removal creams are an option, you'll need to be very careful using them in the genital region, as they can be highly irritating.
"If you're going to try [a hair removal cream], make sure you test it first on a small area that's less sensitive before you venture near the bikini line."
Both dermatologists agree that shaving is the most likely method to cause ingrown hair, with tweezing and waxing coming in equal second place.
Dr Wain adds that one way to avoid ingrown hair would be not removing all your hair – so using scissors or clippers to achieve a close shave, but still leaving some hair outside the skin.
How to prevent ingrown hair
If you do decide to shave, wax or tweeze, both dermatologists say there are strategies you can use to reduce your risk of getting ingrown hairs.
When removing hair with any method:
- Moisturise before and after, as keeping your skin healthy will reduce your risk of irritation.
- Only shave or wax in the direction of hair growth – go with the grain. Removing hair against the grain can tug and "traumatise" the hair follicle, causing irritation.
- Don't pull your skin taut, as this could cut your hair too short, causing it to retract back into the skin without first growing out — causing ingrown hair.
When shaving:
- Use a sharp razor each time, as this well help you achieve a cleaner cut.
- Short, light strokes cause less irritation.
- Don't shave over the same area more than twice, as this could also lead to hair that's too short retracting back into the skin.
How to treat ingrown hair
If you do get ingrown hair, Dr Gupta says the best strategy to treat it initially is with the following warm compress method, which will help release the hair trapped under your skin.
- Wet a flannel or washer with warm tap water or saline.
- Apply it to the area with ingrown hair for 10 minutes, three times a day, with light pressure.
Dr Wain adds if you're prone to ingrown hair, you should also think about your clothing choices.
"In Australia we're obsessed with wearing lycra and workout wear all the time, even outside of workout," she says.
She says changing out of tight lycra or swimmers as soon as you're done exercising will reduce your risk of skin and ingrown hair issues.
"Wear loose cotton clothing and underwear. Avoid synthetics, and avoid underwear and clothes that are tight, like G-strings."
Products that can help with ingrown hair
If your ingrown hair is persistent and uncomfortable, both dermatologists recommend over-the-counter steroid creams to help soothe the area.
Dr Wain says you don't need to go to a waxing or laser salon to find ingrown hair treatments.(Supplied)Dr Wain also recommends using chemical methods to encourage gentle exfoliation, however Dr Gupta says given the pubic region is so sensitive, you'll need to be really careful not to irritate the skin, and recommends trying any products on a less sensitive test patch first.
Exfoliation products will usually contain glycolic or salicylic acid, and are often sold at laser clinics and waxing salons — but Dr Wain says you'll also be able to find them at most chemists.
She says sensitive skin types should stick to products that contain about 10 per cent glycolic acid, but if you're prone to ingrowns, or don't have a sensitive skin type, you can go for a higher percentage.
For salicylic acid, she says you should look for a level of around 2 to 4 per cent.
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How to spot infection and when to see a doctor
In some cases, ingrown hair can significantly impact your quality of life.
"If it's getting to the point where you're uncomfortable, in pain, can't wear certain things, getting a bit of oozing and getting some signs of infection like swelling, redness, fevers or anything like that, then you should see a specialist or GP," Dr Wain says.
Dr Wain adds that if you're regularly experiencing ingrown hair, it also might be worth seeing a GP.
"Even if it's mild, but it's ongoing, and you're sick of it and want to resolve things, then that's a good reason to see a doctor at least to get advice or get on some sort of treatment."
This article contains general information only. You should consider obtaining independent medical advice in relation to your particular circumstances.
By Melanie Rud
Dermatologists weigh in on the safest way to get rid of ingrown hair—plus, how to prevent them from happening in the first place.
We’ve all been there—you’re admiring a silky smooth shave or wax job when suddenly, there it is. A red, raised, (often painful) bump, ruining the landscape of your otherwise flawless skin. Ingrown hairs happen, but before you reach for the tweezers or get to squeezing, read this. We asked top dermatologists for their best advice on how to get rid of an ingrown hair, and, more importantly, how to prevent these pesky bumps from cropping up in the first place.
What is an ingrown hair, anyway?
As hair grows, it’s supposed to leave its follicle (the area that surrounds the root) and exit the skin, growing straight up and out. But in the case of an ingrown, the hair gets all turned around and grows back into the skin. “When a hair reenters or gets trapped under the skin, you end up with an ingrown,” says Dr. Devika Icecreamwala, a dermatologist in Berkeley, CA. So why the big unsightly bump? “The skin now sees this hair as an ‘intruder,’ and reacts, causing redness, swelling, and even pus,” explains Dr. Sheel Desai Solomon, a dermatologist in Raleigh-Durham, NC, who adds that this is why an infected ingrown hair bump often doesn’t look that different from a pimple.
What causes an ingrown hair?
There are a few different things that cause ingrown hairs, some of which you can’t control, some of which you can. On the first list—the texture of your hair. “Ingrown hairs are more common in those with curly hair. As the hair curls, it can easily get redirected and start growing back into the skin, rather than up out,” explains Dr. Gretchen Frieling, a Boston-based dermatopathologist. If it seems like there are more ingrown hair bumps on your bikini line than anywhere else, that’s not your imagination. Because pubic hair is more coarse and curly, you’re more likely to develop ingrowns in this area, adds Dr. Icecreamwala.
As far as things that you can control, this is where your preferred method of hair removal comes into play. Shaving can be potentially more problematic than waxing, particularly if you’re trying to get a super close shave. “If the hairs are shaved too close to the skin, they tend to have a sharp edge which can reenter the skin and cause an ingrown,” says Dr. Icecreamwala. Tweezing, especially along your bikini line, can lead to bumps too, since it can leave a fragment of hair under the skin surface and lead to inflammation, notes Dr. Frieling.
RELATED: The 7 Most Common Hair Removal Mistakes
Are there ways to prevent ingrown hairs?
In a word, yes. If you want to stick with shaving, do so in the direction of the hair. “Going against the grain may allow for a closer shave, but the closer the shave, the easier it is for your hair to curl back into your skin,” says Frieling. And when you do shave, make sure the blade you’re using is fresh and sharp; the duller the blade, the more you’re scraping the skin, upping the likelihood of irritation and ingrowns, she adds.
No matter your hair removal method, exfoliating regularly is a surefire way to help prevent dead skin cells from blocking the hair follicles, says Dr. Icecreamwala. Swipe-on pads make daily exfoliation easier and faster than ever. Try SweetSpot Labs Buff & Brighten Body Exfoliating Pads ($25; ulta.com), which work well on the bikini area, legs, and underarms.
How can I get rid of ingrown hairs?
All the derms we spoke with advise against popping or tweezing an ingrown hair bump, warning that this ups the likelihood of infection and isn’t a guaranteed way to remove the hair. Patience is a virtue when it comes to ingrown hair removal; your best bet is to simply do a few things that will help the hair come out on its own faster.
Start by applying a warm compress to the area, since the heat will soften the skin, says Dr. Solomon. Then, very gently, exfoliate the skin trapping the hair. “Move a washcloth or clean, soft-bristled toothbrush over the area in a circular motion for several minutes,” she suggests. “This helps remove dead skin cells so the hair is more likely to emerge.” You can also double this up with chemical exfoliation, using an ingrown hair treatment that contains salicylic acid, a choice ingredient for dissolving the dead skin cells that would otherwise keep that ingrown hair submerged under the skin for longer, says Dr. Solomon. We like Jack Black Bump Fix Razor Bump & Ingrown Hair Solution ($27; sephora.com).
Also important: If you’re dealing with a very inflamed, painful ingrown hair bump, avoid tight clothing and synthetic fabrics. Nylon leggings, skinny jeans, and polyester underwear can rub against the skin, further exacerbating the irritation, points out Dr. Frieling.