Ingrown Pubic Hair
What is Ingrown Pubic Hair?
Ingrown Pubic Hair occur when hair fails to grow into the surface of the skin and instead grows back into the skin. The risk of experiencing ingrown hairs is increased whenever you remove or pluck hair from your body. That said, activities such as waxing, shaving, and plucking are considered the leading causes of ingrown hairs.
Certain people are more prone to developing ingrown hairs than others. For instance, an individual with thick, curly hair is more susceptible to developing ingrown hairs than a person with fine, thin hair. This is particularly the case when it comes to the pubic hair which is coarser and thicker than the hair on the head or any other part of the body for that matter.
Symptoms
Ingrown pubic hairs occur as small, noticeable, round bumps known as pustules and are often filled with pus. In some cases, hyperpigmentation which entails the darkening of the region around the ingrown hair may occur and causes continuous pain and itching.
As long as you don’t itch the affected area, ingrown hairs can take care of themselves by growing long enough and onto the skin’s surface. If it becomes too uncomfortable, you can decide to take matters into your hand by using home remedies. In case this also doesn’t work, and signs of infection such as bleeding and pus production are evident, then seek medical advice from a physician or medical practitioner.
Causes
Whenever you cut off your pubic hair, it is bound to grow back. Most hair shafts will grow onto the surface of the skin without any complication. Other hair shafts, however, will grow back into the skin causing ingrown pubic hairs which appear as red bumps that look like pimples on the surface of the skin.
These red bumps are filled with pus which is caused by the body’s immune system response to what it considers a foreign object was trying to invade the body.
The resulting pustules are itchy, painful, and slightly darker than the surrounding skin. In most cases, ingrown pubic hair is caused by either waxing, plucking, or shaving. However, it has also been established that tight clothing can cause ingrown hairs due to constant rubbing against the irritating region.
How To Get Rid/Treatment
More often than not, ingrown pubic hairs do not require any form of treatment. That is mainly because they have the ability to heal by themselves. However, it is recommendable to seek necessary treatment in case they persist. Below are some treatment options that may be helpful in the treatment of ingrown pubic hairs.
Stop any hair removal method
Stop shaving, plucking, or waxing of hair in the region surrounding the ingrown pubic hair. At least not until the hair has been removed because such treatments can only aggravate the sensitive area even more. Scratching and picking the ingrown hair increases discomfort and can lead to infection or scars.
Exfoliation
Another method of fixing ingrown pubic hair is removing or exfoliating dead skin cells. This reduces obstruction thereby allowing hair to grow back onto the surface of the skin with ease. Exfoliating entails gently scrubbing the area around the ingrown pubic hair using warm water and a loofah or a piece of cloth. It is also advisable to exfoliate after shaving so as to prevent ingrown hairs from developing.
Warm showers before shaving using shaving gels and lubricating creams also offer an efficient method for preventing ingrown pubic hairs. Always shave in the direction of hair growth using a new and sharp razor at all times. After each stroke, remember to rinse the razor to wash off any remaining debris. Finally, apply a good moisturizer on the shaved region.
Use of creams
In case the ingrown pubic hair causes a lot of inflammation and redness, a doctor may opt to prescribe a steroid cream. Once this is applied in the affected area, a topical treatment process occurs to reduce irritation and swelling around the ingrown hair.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics come in handy in case the ingrown pubic hairs lead to an infection. Huge and deep infections require treatment in the form of topical antibiotic creams as prescribed by physicians. In severe cases where sensitive regions such as the bikini area are in play, doctors may decide to prescribe oral antibiotics for treatment.
After Care For Ingrown Pubic Hairs
Observe the region surrounding the ingrown pubic hairs for several days for any signs of infection. Should the skin redden or become filled with pus, contact a health practitioner for skin infection treatment. The risk of infection can be greatly reduced by using anti-itch cream or hydrocortisone together with pure Aloe Vera and hazel in the affected region as it prevents itching. Digging or scratching the ingrown hair can introduce bacterial infections. If you must scratch, make sure you apply more antibiotic ointment to the affected area to minimize the possibility of infections.
Prevention
The following ways offer the best means through which you can prepare and hopefully prevent ingrown pubic hairs from developing.
- Cut short longer portions of hair using electric trimmers or manicure scissors. Short hair is much easier to remove from your skin.
- Gently exfoliate your pubic region before shaving using warm water and a loofah or washcloth to prevent ingrown hairs.
- Soak in a warm bath for at least 5 minutes to soften your pubic hair. Soft hair is less likely to grow back into the skin.
- Always use a regular shaving cream on top of your shave oil. Avoid as much as possible, soaps, conditioners, and shampoos. Use a thick product designed for shaving purposes.
- When shaving, use a new razor to shave in the direction of hair growth. Do not make multiple passes over the same area to prevent irritation and development of ingrown pubic hairs.
- Apply a lubricating lotion or oil such as baby oil or pre-shave lotion before shaving. This serves two purposes. It softens your hair and protects the skin from excessive friction as it is not easily washed away by water like the shave cream.
- Use a moisturizer that contains glycolic and salicylic acids to prevent pimples, irritations, razor burns, and importantly, ingrown pubic hairs.
Complications
If left untreated or managed carelessly, ingrown pubic hair may cause complications. There are three main complications associate with ingrown hair:
- Scarring which occurs due to continuous scratching of the area surrounding the ingrown hair.
- A bacterial infection may occur around the genitals due to constant picking and scratching of the ingrown pubic hair.
- Pigmentation around the area of the ingrown pubic hair. This can also be as a result of the products used to treat the ingrown hair.
References
- WebMD: Causes of Ingrown Hair
- Mums Net: Ingrowing hair in c-section scarline
- Folliculitis Clinic: Surgical removal of ingrown hair
- http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/ingrown-hairs/Pages/Introduction.aspx
- Mayo Clinic: What causes ingrown hair after shaving?
- Med-Health: Pus Filled Bump in Vagina
- MedHelp: Sore, swollen lump on inner thigh by bikini line