How to Treat Ingrown Hairs on Men

15th September 2021

Ingrown hairs commonly appear around the beard line and face, but if you shave your head regularly, they can also appear on your head. Left untreated, these can cause bacterial infection. The common symptoms around them include small rounded bumps that appear which can often have pus inside, skin darkening, extra sensitivity and pain around the affected area. In this article, we’ll be covering the best ways to treat ingrown hairs for men to help reduce irritation and how to prevent them from coming back.

How to treat ingrown hairs

– Do not try to pop it with tweezers

One of the mistakes people make when it comes to the treatment of ingrown hair is that they try to fix it themselves with a needle or tweezers to help pop the pimple or pull out the ingrown hair. This is not only painful but can make the situation worse. Trying to manually take out the hair will cause parts of the skin to tear, creating a breeding ground for bacteria, which makes your chances of a bacterial infection or scarring higher.

– Use warm compresses

Apply warm compresses to the affected area for 10–15 minutes several times a day. If the hair is trapped under the skin, warm compresses may help it grow out. Warm water helps by opening up the pores on your face or head, in turn letting the ingrown hair grow out of the area.

– Consult a doctor or dermatologist

Once you go to your dermatologist, they will typically use a sterile needle or a sharp blade to slightly nick your skin and release the hair. This is much safer than doing it yourself. If you need further help, they may prescribe creams or even oral antibiotics to help reduce the inflammation or cure any bacterial infection that may have developed.

How to prevent ingrown hairs

– Use the right shaving technique

When performing a close shave, it’s important to know how to shave properly to avoid developing ingrown hair.  Firstly, as we discussed in our previous blog about our top tips for shaving with sensitive skin, it’s important that the blades that are being used are sharp and new. A blunt razor is more likely to cause damage to the surface of your skin and facial hair. One other way of avoiding ingrown hair is to shave against the grain (against the growth of your facial hair). This helps the blade get underneath your hair for a closer and more effective shave.

– Apply a warm compress BEFORE shaving

Before your shaving routine, it’s best practice to soften your hair follicles before shaving to make sure your shave doesn’t pull on any rigid hair, causing damage to your face. We would recommend applying a warm damp towel to the area you are shaving to help soften these hairs and avoid any razor bumps.

Men’s Haircut and Grooming Treatments at Cutter’s Yard

At Cutters Yard, we provide professional haircut and grooming treatments using the latest products suitable for your hair and skin type. If you need a close shave but are afraid of developing ingrown hairs or damaged skin whilst doing so, we offer a top-quality wet shave from one of our highly skilled barbers to leave your skin feeling smooth and refreshed. Feel free to book your appointment now at Southwark or London Bridge.