Ingrown hair: Treatment and prevention

Table Of Content

• When should I see my doctor?
• How do you get rid of an ingrown hair cyst?
• Best for Sensitive Skin
• Key facts

Most ingrown hairs will go away on their own without treatment after a few days; though, severe cases may take several weeks. If your symptoms don’t improve, your healthcare provider may need to prescribe medications that decrease inflammation and improve infections. Cosmetic products, such as shampoo, that contain peppermint oil may provide a means of applying peppermint oil topically to the scalp. Some trials on mice have found promising results related to peppermint oil and hair growth promotion, but more research is needed to determine if these effects apply to humans. There is not enough quality evidence to conclude that peppermint oil benefits hair growth in humans. While some animal studies on the effects of peppermint oil on hair growth have been conducted, there is a lack of research to conclude that peppermint oil promotes hair growth in humans.

When should I see my doctor?

For a severe infection, they can prescribe medication to treat it and coax the hair out. For example, prescription steroid creams can reduce inflammation, and prescription-strength antibiotic creams can treat the infection. If your infection is mild or infrequent, you may be able to use home remedies.

How do you get rid of an ingrown hair cyst?

If you often develop infected ingrown hairs, the doctor may take a skin sample for testing. You may have a higher risk for ingrown hairs and related infections if your hair is naturally coarse or curly. These hair types are more likely to curl back into the skin when growing out after hair removal. In rare cases, your healthcare provider may use a sterile surgical knife with a thin blade (scalpel) to make a small cut in your affected areas. They’ll squeeze out any pus and use sterile tweezers to remove the ingrown hair.

Best for Sensitive Skin

This after-shave oil contains coconut to treat and soothe the skin and features scent notes of grape, lavender, and passion fruit too. These dermatologist-recommended products exfoliate and soothe your skin. Exfoliation should be approached carefully, as it causes inflammation, which leads to hyperpigmentation and may not be very helpful in resolving ingrown hairs. Apply a warm, moist — not dripping — washcloth for 10 to 15 minutes, three or four times a day. Warm compresses soften your skin and may help ease inflammation and discomfort by allowing your skin to open and drain if there’s any pus present.

The other is salicylic acid, which can help break down the scales and flakes on your scalp so they wash away more easily. Hair grows around 0.35 millimeters each day, which amounts to 0.5 inches in a month and 6 inches in a year. If you are treating a sensitive part of the body, consider a product that utilizes a chemical exfoliant. What makes this particular treatment one of our favorites for the body is how easy it is to apply—no need for cotton balls or scrubs.

If it’s difficult to see the area, use extra lighting like an LED ring light and a magnifying mirror. This will allow you to grasp only the hair and avoid damaging your skin. A hair becomes ingrown if it grows back into your skin while being outside of its hair follicle.

More severe cases can result in painful lesions, similar to a boil. When left untreated, an infection can occur, and a scar may form. If your ingrown hair has looped or curled back into your skin, you can remove it by gently pulling it out with a sterile needle, pin, or tweezers. Thread the sterile needle, pin, or tweezers through the exposed hair loop.

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Exfoliating your skin removes a dead layer of skin cells and helps release ingrown hairs. Use warm — not hot — water and small, circular motions to wash your affected areas with a washcloth, exfoliating brush or exfoliating gel or scrub. Iman Balagam is a beauty contributor at Cosmopolitan with nearly four years of experience writing beauty stories that range from curling irons to collagen for hair growth. She’s an authority in all categories, but is an expert when it comes to hair oiling, thanks to years of personally researching and testing different hair oils to grow her thick hair.

What causes these bumps to form?

This method targets the hair follicle, and it’s usually permanent. And because the hair doesn’t grow back after treatment, you won’t have to worry about ingrown hairs. This may be due to preference, cultural values, or work requirements. Whatever the reason may be for wanting or needing to shave, there are other ways to prevent ingrown hairs.

“Avoid tight hairstyles and hair accessories that pull on the hair and handle your hair with care to minimise breakage and damage. For instance, if your hair tends to be dry, then “look for serums that contain oils to help hydrate the dry hair shaft,” says Dr. Shaver. You can also find hair growth serums that contain active ingredients that have been FDA-approved to promote hair growth, like minoxidil. When searching for an effective ingrown hair treatment, the ingredients and how they interact with that part of the body are two of the most important considerations. Some ingredients can be much harsher on the skin than others so it’s important to consider how your skin reacts to those ingredients, especially in sensitive areas like the pubic area and underarms. Targeted treatments like the Manscaped Crop Exfoliator are specifically designed to work on the pubic area with minimal irritation.

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These pads also shouldn’t be used right after shaving, so it’s recommended that you apply the treatment the day after you shave. One of the best ways to manage ingrown hairs is to choose an effective exfoliant that includes ingredients, like green tea and oat, that can soothe irritation and minimize razor bumps. After shaving, it’s best to apply the oil with the included dropper and rub into clean, dry skin to start the hydration process.

It's a bummer because even though I have a lot of hair, it doesn't look like much — leaving me with pretty sad-looking ponytails and buns. That's why I've prioritized thickening shampoos like this derm-approved one, which has a pretty impressive ingredient list. "It helps to restore strength in the hair shaft by repairing broken bonds that occur because of exposure to chemicals/dyes, heat, and UV rays." Han says this shampoo is a great pick for anyone with fine to medium hair since the formula is super lightweight, so it won't weigh your strands down. This budget-friendly shampoo's hair-strengthening combination of rice water and a key amino acid is super helpful for anyone with weak or brittle strands. Levine recommends this shampoo because it contains prebiotics and other natural ingredients that can help restore the proper pH balance of the scalp's microbiome.

It is also possible to develop a bacterial infection, especially if you are scratching at the ingrown hair. If you notice signs of infection—like pus, worsening pain, or lesions—see a healthcare provider so they can offer proper treatment. You can avoid this condition by not removing hair or not shaving very close to the skin.

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Table Of Content

• How is ingrown hair diagnosed?
• Best for Sensitive Skin
• Use the razor on your pubic hair only.
• Maria Nila True Soft Argan Oil
• How often should you oil your hair?
• What to expect from your doctor

As the first blade pulls the hair up, the next blades cut the hair in a way that causes the hair to go back into the skin after shaving. Digging into the skin to pull the hair out can cause an infection. Also, people should wear loose clothing on areas surrounding the hair to avoid friction. Ingrown hairs are irritating, but most of the time they can easily be treated in the home. Doctors treat staph infections with antibiotics to prevent other serious complications, such as a blood infection. If bacteria, fungi, or other pathogens enter the skin, an infection can develop, known as folliculitis.

How is ingrown hair diagnosed?

Cutting hair very close to the skin creates a very sharp tip on the end of each of the hairs. A doctor will usually assess an ingrown hair infection by looking at the symptoms and asking about your medical history. Ingrown hairs are most common in areas of hair removal, such as the face, legs, armpits, and pubic region.

Best for Sensitive Skin

Some OTC products may help coax the hair up and out of the skin, which may reduce the risk of infection. In this article, we describe how to safely remove ingrown hair on the legs and prevent the issue from recurring. If the bumps or cysts become extremely bothersome — or if they aren’t fading — see a healthcare professional or dermatologist. Prescription acne medications might be needed if OTC methods don’t work. For example, a healthcare professional may prescribe a steroid cream such as hydrocortisone to help reduce redness and pain around your bump or cyst. The hair grows from the bottom of your pore and is kept bathed in sebum secreted by the pore.

Use the razor on your pubic hair only.

They may appear anywhere hair grows on your body, but they commonly appear in places where you shave, tweeze or wax, especially your face, legs, armpits and pubic area. A good skin care routine helps prevent ingrown hairs from forming, while at-home treatments can help release the hair from underneath your skin and provide relief. Contact your healthcare provider if you notice any signs of infection.

These unsightly bumps can be an annoying side effect of hair removal. The good news is ingrown hairs can be treated effectively at home. Hair removal creams dissolve the hair and will leave the ends of the hair softer, rather than sharp. But you should wait to use the creams until your skin has fully healed, as it can cause additional irritation.

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Exfoliating scrubs can reduce dead skin cells, and allow the surface of the skin to easily pass hairs. Retin-A can further remove dead skin cells and help correct pigmentation that occurs from the ingrown hair. Antibiotics can be administered to fight infection and reduce swelling.

How often should you oil your hair?

There are some OTC creams and treatments available for people who regularly get ingrown hairs. Razor bumps and ingrown hair cysts can take several days or even weeks to fully clear up on their own. Timely treatment can help get rid of them and prevent them from returning. If you want to shave, or remove hair in another way, there are things you can do to prevent ingrown hairs and help them get better quicker.

How is an ingrown hair treated?

While this gel is marketed towards men, all genders would benefit from applying this product before shaving to prevent pesky in-grown hairs. The gel is also unscented so despite it being targeted at men, women could also enjoy the benefits of applying this product before shaving. If they’re not infected, some ingrown hair cysts can go away on their own.

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Or, you can take preventative steps like shaving differently or using a razor with just one blade. While ingrown hairs can develop in places all over the body, one of the most common trouble spots, especially for people who shave their facial areas, are ingrown hairs on the face. Ingrown hairs can commonly develop after shaving facial hair and an effective treatment needs to be able to exfoliate dead skin cells as well as reduce razor bumps and redness. As far as we know, dandruff doesn't necessarily directly cause hair loss.

First, “leaving hair oil on for too long can lead to occlusion of the follicles and can contribute to seborrheic dermatitis,” says Dr. Spann. So, if you sleep with it overnight, make sure to wash yours out after 8 to 10 hours with shampoo. And if you notice your scalp starts to feel irritated, flaky, or itchy—aka the opposite of how you want your scalp to feel after oiling—stop oiling ASAP and make an appointment with your dermatologist. If you don’t have the patience to leave it overnight—or your scalp tends to be oil-prone—try hair oiling as a pre-shampoo treatment.

It can be used in the shower (just before adding conditioner) or applied to damp skin right after getting out of the shower. It is recommended to apply a quarter-size amount to the impacted area and rub it into the skin in a circular motion. While you should use this product as needed, be aware that overuse (without a moisturizing conditioner) can dry out the scalp. Mixing tea tree, coconut, and tamanu oils, the Fur Ingrown Concentrate can calm redness and is gentle enough on the skin that you can apply it anywhere on your body—especially on more sensitive areas. It only requires a few drops to the affected area as needed or you can help exfoliate the area with the included finger mitt.

Shaving and waxing creates sharper hairs that tend to get trapped in the skin. Keep reading to learn how to recognize an infected ingrown hair, as well as tips for treating and preventing them. An infected ingrown hair happens when a hair is blocked from leaving the skin or newly emerged hair curls back into the skin, and the follicle becomes infected.

When you have thick or curly hair, you can get a type of ingrown hair called pseudofolliculitis. The hair that grows back has a sharper edge, so it can more easily poke back through your skin and get trapped under the surface. Sometimes, dead skin can clog a hair follicle, which forces the hair to grow sideways under your skin rather than up and out. If you cut naturally curly hair too short, the sharpened end of the hair can pierce your skin, causing an ingrown hair.

Sometimes ingrown hairs are irritating to deal with or become a regular problem. When this happens, some people stop removing hair in the problem area altogether. These simple practices are often enough to make the ingrown hairs go away on their own. When a hair grows to about 10 millimeters in length, it will usually release itself from the follicle. The most common cause of ingrown hairs is an improper shaving technique.

The 30 Best Blonde Hair Color Ideas for Every Skin Tone Photos

Table Of Content

• Suave Dry Texture Finishing Spray
• Keira Knightley Short Haircuts
• Trendy Fade Haircuts for Black Women (
• Sleek Ash Gray Bob
• Fresh Short Bob with Bangs Looks to Style Your Blunt Cut
• Bubble Gum Ombre
• Black Hair with Neon Pink Highlights

Get the look by using the L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color in Golden Blonde. These luxurious waves are softly enhanced with mauve accents, adding an unexpected splash of color that’s both trendy and sophisticated. The dark base sets the stage for the mauve highlights, which cascade down and provide a beautiful contrast. This style is particularly flattering on those with long, voluminous hair and can complement a variety of face shapes.

Suave Dry Texture Finishing Spray

After rocking platinum blonde tresses for years, Miley officially returned to her brunette roots to model Gucci's new collection. The Underworld actress took the plunge and went full blonde, while also debuting a short bob haircut. Less than a month afer chopping her hair into a long bob, Zendaya debuted a honey blonde transformation at the Challengers premiere March 26. That way, when new roots grow in, the color looks more broken up, making regrowth less noticeable. Jemima Kirke's sun-kissed 'do looks evening-worthy with a side part and waves. Adding texture and movement to the hair draws further attention to the use of color throughout.

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Keira Knightley Short Haircuts

Red and blonde highlights create a rosy tone that’s soft, almost pink-red. When styling, choose a wavy style as it highlights blonde streaks. Warm highlights on dark brown hair are one of those trends you must try once in your life! Brown and blonde balayage locks add elegance to your angelic face while jazzing up your long mane and flattering your skin tone. This pink and blonde ombre short lob creates a stunning gradient effect as the colors flow seamlessly from one to the next. The elegant transition of colors adds depth and dimension to the hair, making it an eye-catching yet wearable look for any occasion.

Trendy Fade Haircuts for Black Women (

You can also go for a full head of highlights for that platinum blonde color. Laverne Cox's rooty look pairs a chocolate-hued base with strands of blonde highlights and lowlights. We love how the lighter shade is concentrated near her face, which draws attention to her best features. Lived-in waves with honey blonde tips exude a carefree elegance, embodying a casual yet stylish look. The subtle transition from natural brunette to honey blonde creates a sun-kissed effect, ideal for those with warmer skin tones. The tousled texture adds a playful dimension that flatters almost any face shape, giving a beachy vibe that’s effortlessly chic.

Pastel shades like blush pink are perfect for highlighting creamy blonde hair, just as this gorgeous ombre style shows. Styling the blush pink ombre into tousled, beachy waves gives this girly dye job, just the right amount of edge. Let’s walk through how to choose your ideal shade of pink based on your skin tone, natural hair color, and, of course, what makes you feel fabulous. If you’re thinking about blonde hair with light pink highlights, here are a few things to keep in mind. Having a pixie cut doesn’t give you many styling options, which can get boring. But you can turn this around by dying the lower part of your blonde hair with pink highlights.

Sleek Ash Gray Bob

Margot Robbie is generally our all-around inspiration but we're really coveting her perfectly blended lowlights that make for a more seamless root grow-out. It’s a versatile look that flatters most face shapes, adding warmth and dimension to the overall appearance. The incorporation of blonde not only adds an element of surprise but also softens the overall look, making it intriguing yet approachable. Avery Hunt has over 10 years of experience as a hair colorist in Seattle, WA.Learn more about Avery.

Fresh Short Bob with Bangs Looks to Style Your Blunt Cut

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When your highlights are starting to fade, use a temporary tinted conditioner to both nourish those fried ends and see if pink is something you're ready to commit to. This scarlet pink fade has a choppy application, lying in various blocks—from side bangs to ends—beneath her natural dark brown roots. Pink has a multitude of its own shades ranging from magenta to millennial. If fuchsia is too vibrant for you, opt for a lighter tone of pink like these flamingo painted ends seen here. Below, check out 28 examples of how to wear effortlessly cool pink ombré hair. We're loving the cool-girl color of the moment for its grey undertones that are matched by a youthful bright blonde.

Bubble Gum Ombre

Adding a glaze/toner all over creates a cohesive golden tone to match your previous color. If you want to go for brown, red, and then back to blonde, slow the transition process. A cute, blonde curly hairstyle adorned with playful pink highlights throughout. The mix of colors adds a whimsical touch to the curls, creating an enchanting and lively appearance that is sure to turn heads. Pastel hair colours are showing no sign of going out of style, so if you are thinking of trying out something completely new, why not try pastel shades.

It’s particularly flattering for those with olive or deep skin tones, as the platinum ends illuminate the overall style. Blonde highlights on light brown hair give that golden-toned ombre. It looks fantastic if you have medium brown hair because it’s so natural.

Short blonde hair with pink highlights will sculpt your face the best way possible. But the downside is that it doesn’t leave you open to many styling options. Regardless, you can still achieve a magnificent look by ensuring that the pink highlights blend well with your hair. However, things can go wrong if you don’t know the right way to go about it. Keep reading to discover 28 chic ways to spice up your blonde hair and how to add pink highlights to your hair the right way.

This style is particularly flattering for those with oval and square face shapes, as the curls add softness and the highlights frame the face. This rich burgundy base is enchanted with blonde undertones that peek through the voluminous waves. The combination of deep red and blonde creates a unique, multidimensional color that can enhance the hair’s movement. It’s especially captivating on those with cool skin tones and suits various face shapes due to the layering and depth of color. This modern bob takes on a new edge with silver and ash blonde accents that provide a futuristic and sleek look.

20 Best Blonde Hair Colors for Every Skin Tone

Table Of Content

• Layered Bob with Magenta Streaks
• Golden Ombré
• hite Blonde to Blush Pink Ombre
• Brunette Base

Placed under the top layer of hair, these highlights have a lovely ‘peek-a-boo’ effect. Part pink ombre and part beach blonde, this Cali-cool shade is a summer staple. Lighten locks with Blondor Freelights + 4% first, then shampoo, neutralize, and go in with the pink. Here, Global Top Artist Matthias Herzberg has applied Color Touch 10/0 + 0/56 + 1.9% to create a light, lived-in pink any surfer girl would fall for. Ready to add a splash of pink to your blonde locks but not quite sure which shade will make you shine brightest?

Layered Bob with Magenta Streaks

It’s a versatile look that suits a variety of face shapes, particularly complementing those with angular features by adding softness and femininity. Bronde blonde streaks through balayage never fail to bring out a sun-kissed finish. They carry out the radiance and can ginger up your dark tresses.

Golden Ombré

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Who isn't striving for a blonde hair shade that is easy and breezy enough to last for weeks and weeks without any extra tweaks? Bring the perfect mix of gold and copper tones to achieve this hue. It's hard to strike a better balance between a dark base color and cool blonde than these seamless balayage babylights. Sometimes the simplest styles are the chicest, as evidenced by Michelle Driscoll's straight tresses. Her color features piecey highlights throughout her top layer. Claw hair clips are a mandatory spring 2021 accouterment, and this baby-size one adds a dainty touch to Andrea Steen's highlighted blonde curls.

hite Blonde to Blush Pink Ombre

While short hair may not bring out the best features of women with oval face shapes, this shoulder-length hair will do a fantastic job. Besides, you can take things up a notch by styling as you wish. A pink balayage highlight also looks amazing on naturally blonde hair, especially if your blonde hair has a cool undertone. Highlights in different shades of pink will blend so well into the hair if you style it into beach waves. This technique where the ashy pink highlights are visible on the underneath layers helps bring out the best of your ashy blonde hair, especially if it’s short.

When it comes to choosing the right shade of pink, it’s important to consider your skin tone too. If you have a fair complexion, opt for a lighter shade of pink, such as baby pink or ballet slipper pink. Another thing to consider is the image that you want to present. If you wish to make a bold statement, you might decide to go with a vibrant neon shade of pink. If you want your color to remain professional, you should stick to choosing your pink based on your blonde undertones. Dying only some random pieces of hair pink & lilac can look really charming, even if you’re just trying it for fun.

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Keep reading for some inspirational photos of blonde highlights and lowlights, thanks to our favorite celebs. This sleek bob boasts precision-cut ends, perfect for a sophisticated yet simple look. The honeyed streaks running through add a touch of sweetness to the style, making it versatile for both a day at the office or a night out on the town. These long, cascading waves are kissed with the softest whisper of pink, creating a dreamy rose gold effect that’s as romantic as a sunset. This bob is a flame of inspiration with its fiery copper tones and playful, textured bangs.

Make sure to also use the L'Oréal Paris Le Color Gloss One Step In-Shower Toning Gloss every few weeks to boost your hair color and shine. This style is the epitome of effortless chic with its bronde layers that fall softly around the face, creating a look that’s as casual as it is elegant. The singer doesn't stick to just pink ombré with this edgy look, infusing blonde, pink and purple.

Unique Chin Length Layered Bob

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Having a fringe should always work in your favor, even when it comes to hair color. If you don't want to apply pink color to your fringe, use it instead as a guide to indicate where your ombré is going to start. You can find all your questions like this in the article we wrote for you. The frequency of touch-ups depends on the rate of hair growth and the specific color technique used. Generally, it’s recommended to touch up every 4-6 weeks for roots and 6-8 weeks for overall color. You don't have to choose decidedly between cool and warm tones.

If you are not ready for a full head of blonde hair with pink highlights, then you can try adding them just to the ends of your hair. If you’re looking to add some personality to your look, then blonde hair with pink highlights may be the right choice for you. Not everyone has a massive hair volume and that’s why we have styles like tapered lob layers to help cover for that.

For a bit of distinction, give a dark ash blonde hair color a try. Thanks to its cool undertones, the hue will contrast beautifully against all skin tones. Get the color with L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color in Dark Ash Blonde.

If you love the blonde look, know the transition to blonde from highlights. Short blonde hair also looks incredible with some pink highlights that make it stand out. Your hair should be cut asymmetrically, with the front part left up to chin-length. Black hair can really showcase contrasting colors when dyed correctly.

The Great star ushered in spring with a fresh cut, as she debuted a long bob March 25. The more texture, the chunkier the lowlights—so as not to lose them within the silhouette. Karlie Kloss looks exceptional no matter what, but her lowlight-toned waves are a particular favorite of ours. The copper and blonde combo is not only fashion-forward but also a perfect match for those looking to add some contemporary flair to their look.

The combination of blonde and pink creates a look that is both eye-catching and stylish. Straight blonde hair is more stunning when it has streaks of pink all over. So don’t hold back on adding pink highlights to your straight hair while leaving some blonde strands to shine through. Black and pink highlights will unlock higher beauty levels if your blonde hair is not so thick.