Ingrown hair removal tips

Apply a warm, moist compress to the area for a few minutes to soften the skin. Thoroughly wet a clean washcloth with very warm water and hold it against the affected area.

Use a sterile needle or tweezers to gently tease the hair out of the skin. The warm compress should have brought the hair to the surface--don't dig for the hair if you can't easily get at it.

Wash the area around the (formerly) ingrown hair with warm water and a moisturizing soap. Gentle washing helps prevent infection, but soap that dries out the skin and the hair can make it easier for the hair to become ingrown again.

An antiseptic, such as hydrogen peroxide, benzoyl peroxide or rubbing alcohol can be dabbed on the skin with a cotton ball or cotton swab to provide extra protection against infection.

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If you can't see the hair initially, leave the warm, moist compress in place for a while longer.

You can sterilize your tools by boiling or by cleaning with alcohol.

Try loosening your clothing. Next to shaving, tight clothing is the most frequent cause of ingrown hairs, particularly on the legs.

If you have persistent or widespread ingrown hairs, consider either chemical or laser hair removal.

Take a loofah to your skin every time you shower, and you'll not only get rid of flaky dead skin, but also loosen up and prevent ingrown hairs.

Shave correctly to prevent recurrence. Since most ingrown hairs are caused by shaving, the easiest way to prevent them is to grow a beard.

Use the right shaving implements. If you're shaving the right way but ingrown hairs persist, try switching up your shaving tools.

If your ingrown hairs are stuck underneath the skin (as opposed to those which grow out and then grow back in), you probably have a blockage of the hair follicles. Use non-comedogenic shaving cream and aftershave (non-comedogenic products don't clog pores), and try using an exfoliating product or applying an acne cream containing salicylic acid.

If you have an ingrown hair you can't remove, or if you have a persistent problem with ingrown hairs, see a dermatologist.

Also, ingrown hair treatment creams have been known to soothe the ingrown hair away and moisturize the area. For men, try Anthony Logistics for Men.

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To prevent infection, be sure your needle or tweezers are sterile before you extract the ingrown hair.

If the inflammation extends beyond the immediate area of the hair follicle or persists for more than a few days after the hair has been freed, consider visiting a dermatologist or your primary care physician.

Discontinue use of any shaving product or skin care product if irritation occurs.