Ingrown Hair: A Comprehensive Guide to Prevention and Treatment
Updated: 3 days ago
Medically reviewed by Dr. Baraa Alnahhal, MD · Last reviewed: October 2026
Quick Answer
An ingrown hair is a hair that grows back into the skin instead of out, also called razor bumps. It is common in the beard area, legs, armpits and pubic area, especially with frequent shaving or curly hair. Stop shaving, apply warm compresses for 10 to 15 minutes, and see a provider if bumps grow painful or form pustules. [1]
What the research says
Curved follicles and sharp hair tips drive the reaction. A review of pseudofolliculitis barbae (razor bumps) explains that shaving or plucking leaves sharp hair tips that can penetrate adjacent skin, triggering a foreign-body inflammatory reaction. It also notes that a single-nucleotide variant in the hair follicle keratin gene K6hf is associated with a six-fold higher chance of developing the condition, and that stopping shaving or removing the affected follicles usually ends it. (Ogunbiyi, Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol, 2019)
Treatment works best as a multi-part approach. A review of the evidence found that effective management combines preventive measures with antibiotics, corticosteroids, keratolytics, chemical depilatories and laser treatment as needed. Topical therapies remain the mainstay, while laser hair removal is a potential long-term option whose permanence needs more study. (Dalia et al., Clin Exp Dermatol, 2023)
Skin tone changes the long-term impact. Another review notes that razor bumps can occur in anyone who shaves and are more likely with curly hair, and that the hyperpigmentation and scarring they can cause are more noticeable in darker skin types. The most effective treatments combined changes in shaving habits with topical therapy. (Nussbaum & Friedman, J Drugs Dermatol, 2019)
What is an ingrown hair?
An ingrown hair looks like a raised, discolored spot on the skin. It is a strand of hair that grows back into the skin after shaving, tweezing or waxing, and it may be painful or itchy. [1] Ingrown hairs are very common: anyone who shaves, tweezes or waxes can develop them, and the more often you shave, the more likely they are. You are also more likely to have them if you have skin of color or thick, coarse or curly hair. [1]
Symptoms and recognition
Ingrown hair symptoms include: [1]
Skin irritation
Small bumps (papules) with a hair in the middle, for example on the face and neck
Pain
Discoloration (red, brown or purple)
Itching
If an ingrown hair becomes infected, the bumps get bigger and more painful. Pustules form when there is pus around the follicles, and the infection can lead to scarring. [1]
What causes ingrown hairs?
Shaving, waxing and tweezing remove only the hair strand, not the hair follicle under the skin. When the new hair grows, it may curl back and enter the skin, which is more common when hair is thick, curly or coarse. [1]
High-risk areas
Beard area: the neck, cheeks and chin.
Legs and armpits: common sites for larger-scale hair removal.
Pubic area: the bikini line and inner thighs.
Other areas: the scalp, chest, back, abdomen, inside the nostrils, eyebrows and buttocks.
Is an ingrown hair contagious?
No, ingrown hair is not contagious. [1]
How are ingrown hairs diagnosed?
Ingrown hairs are easy to recognize, so you do not necessarily need a provider to diagnose them. A provider can confirm them during a physical exam and may ask about your skin care routine, how often you shave, wax or tweeze, which razor you use and how you prepare your skin. [1]
Home care and gentle release
There are several ways to treat ingrown hairs at home: [1]
Stop shaving and allow the hair to grow.
Use an electric shaver held just above the surface of your skin.
Try depilatory products that dissolve the protein structure of the hair, so you can remove hair without shaving.
Apply warm compresses for 10 to 15 minutes to open your pores and make it easier for the hair to release.
Exfoliate gently with warm (not hot) water, small circular motions and a washcloth, exfoliating brush, gel or scrub to remove dead skin cells.
Releasing a visible hair loop
If an ingrown hair has looped or curled back into the skin, you can gently pull it out with a sterile needle, pin or tweezers. Apply rubbing alcohol to the surrounding skin to prevent infection, then carefully thread the sterile tool through the exposed hair loop and gently lift it until one end releases from the skin. [1]
Never pick at, scratch or pop an ingrown hair. Doing so increases the risk of infection and scarring. [1]
Medical and professional treatments
If your symptoms do not improve, your provider may prescribe medications to decrease inflammation and treat infection, or recommend other hair removal options. [1]
Treatment | How it works |
Antibiotic ointment or pills | Treats infection around the ingrown hair. |
Prescription retinoids | Prescription acne medications that help remove dead skin. |
Steroid creams or pills | Reduce inflammation. |
Minor procedure | In rare cases a provider uses a sterile scalpel to make a small cut, squeezes out pus and removes the hair with sterile tweezers. |
Electrolysis | A tiny needle and mild electrical current destroy hair roots one by one. |
Laser hair removal | Heat from a laser destroys pigmented cells; it works best on dark hair. |
How long do ingrown hairs take to heal?
In most cases ingrown hairs heal within one to two weeks with only minor irritation, as they release from the skin while they grow longer. Most go away on their own after a few days, although severe cases may take several weeks. Medications may take a few days to show results, while electrolysis and laser hair removal usually need several sessions over weeks to months. [1]
How to prevent ingrown hairs
The best prevention is proper hair removal technique: [1]
Prepare: thoroughly wet your skin and hair with warm water before shaving.
Lubricate: apply a shaving gel or cream.
Choose your tool: use a single-blade razor.
Mind direction: shave in the direction your hair grows naturally.
Rinse: rinse the blade after every stroke.
Replace: change the blade, or replace a disposable razor, frequently.
When to see a healthcare provider
Call your provider if your ingrown hairs are not going away with at-home treatment and a good skin care routine, or if they become infected. [1] Questions to ask include: how can you tell I have an ingrown hair, what at-home treatments do you recommend, which over-the-counter medications help, and is there a cream or ointment you can prescribe? [1]
Frequently Asked Questions
Are ingrown hairs contagious?
No. An ingrown hair is a localized skin reaction and cannot be passed to other people.
How long do ingrown hairs last?
In most cases they heal on their own within one to two weeks, with only minor irritation, as the hair grows longer and releases from the skin. Severe cases may take several weeks.
Can I use an electric shaver?
Yes. Using an electric shaver held just above the surface of the skin is one way to treat and avoid ingrown hairs.
What are depilatory products?
Depilatories are creams or lotions that dissolve the protein structure of the hair so it can be removed without shaving.
Why do curly hairs become ingrown more often?
New hair can curl back and re-enter the skin as it grows, which happens more often when hair is thick, coarse or curly.
What is electrolysis?
Electrolysis uses a tiny needle and a mild electrical current to destroy hair roots one by one. Each follicle needs treatment, so it may not be practical over a large area.
How does laser hair removal work?
Heat from a laser destroys cells that contain a lot of pigment, so it works best on dark hair. It is a potential long-term option for chronic ingrown hairs, although studies are still examining how permanent the results are.
Should I use hot water to shave?
Use warm water to wet the skin and hair before shaving. When exfoliating, use warm, not hot, water.
Can ingrown hairs appear in the nose?
Yes. They can appear anywhere hair grows, including inside the nostrils, the scalp, chest, back, abdomen and eyebrows.
What is a pustule?
A pustule is a small bump filled with pus around a hair follicle. It is a sign the ingrown hair may be infected.
Do retinoids help with ingrown hairs?
Prescription acne medications such as retinoids can help remove dead skin cells. A provider may prescribe them if home care is not enough.
Can ingrown hairs happen on the buttocks?
Yes. Besides the beard area, legs, armpits and pubic area, ingrown hairs can also appear on the buttocks.
What should I do if a bump has pus or keeps getting worse?
Pus and a worsening bump are signs of infection. Contact a healthcare provider, who may prescribe an antibiotic ointment or pills.
Does a dull razor make ingrown hairs more likely?
Change the razor blade, or replace a disposable razor, frequently to prevent skin irritation and cuts. Worn blades are more likely to irritate skin.
Can I pop or pick at an ingrown hair?
No. Picking, scratching or popping can lead to infection and scarring.
Related Reading
Ingrown Hair Cyst: Causes, Symptoms, and Effective Treatment Options explains when an ingrown hair forms a cyst and how it is treated.
Understanding Razor Burn: Causes, Relief, and Prevention covers shaving irritation and simple ways to prevent it.
Laser Hair Removal: How It Works, Sessions and Results explains how laser treatment reduces hair growth and what sessions involve.
Keratosis Pilaris: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment Guide describes rough, bumpy skin that can look like ingrown hairs.
References
Cleveland Clinic. Ingrown Hair. Cleveland Clinic. Last updated March 4, 2022. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17722-ingrown-hair
Ogunbiyi A. Pseudofolliculitis barbae; current treatment options. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2019;12:241-247. PMID 31354326. https://doi.org/10.2147/CCID.S149250
Dalia Y, et al. Review of treatments for pseudofolliculitis barbae. Clin Exp Dermatol. 2023;48(6):591-598. PMID 36840647. https://doi.org/10.1093/ced/llad075
Nussbaum D, et al. Pseudofolliculitis Barbae: A Review of Current Treatment Options. J Drugs Dermatol. 2019;18(3):246-250. PMID 30909328. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30909328/
Medical disclaimer
This article is for general educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If a bump is painful, spreading or shows signs of infection, consult a healthcare professional.
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