Ingrown pubic hair can be painful and embarrassing. It can happen naturally or it can happen because of shaving, waxing or using any methods of pubic hair removal.
The hair starts growing inwards and the body starts treating it as a foreign material. This can lead to a pimple type formation or a pus bump in the area. Sometimes the skin around the area can become dark. This is known as hyperpigmentation.
The ingrown hair takes care of itself but if it doesn’t there are a few home remedies in this article that can help you get rid of them.
Let’s look at a few reasons as to why this happens.
Table of Contents
Home Remedies To Get Rid Of Ingrown Pubic Hair
These simple remedies help in removing the dead skin cells which can block the hair follicles. They also point out the correct way of removing the hair so that it doesn’t lead to an ingrown hair. So, follow the list of remedies given below.
Note – Before trying any of these remedies make sure your skin is not sensitive. Otherwise, it might make it worse.
1. Baking Soda
Baking soda has anti-inflammatory properties and has a soothing effect on the skin. It can remove the dead skin cells and also reduce the redness caused by the ingrown hair.
How To Use:
- Take 1 tbs. of baking soda.
- Mix it in a cup of water.
- Use a cotton swab to apply the mixture to the affected area.
- Leave it on for 5 minutes.
- Do it 2-3 times a day.
2. Aspirin
Like baking soda aspirin too has anti-inflammatory properties. It can fight infection and reduce the swelling in the affected area.
Aspirin also has salicylic acid which can act as a scrubber and remove the dead skin.
How To Use:
- Take two aspirin tablets.
- Mix them with 1 tbs. of water till you get a paste.
- Apply the paste to the affected area.
- Keep it for 10 mins.
- Wash it off with warm water.
- Do it twice a week.
3. Sugar
Sugar acts like a natural scrubber for the skin. It removes the dead skin and helps the ingrown hair to come out. It also makes your skin smooth.
How To Use :
- Mix one cup of sugar with olive oil.
- Add 10-15 drops of essential oils.
- Apply it to the affected area.
- Scrub it in a circular motion.
- Wash it off with warm water.
4. Salt
Salt too like sugar acts as a natural scrubber. It can easily remove the dead skin cells that are blocking the hair growth.Salt also helps in blood circulation, reduces swelling and heals the skin faster.
How To Use :
- 1 tbs. of spoon of salt.
- Mix it in lukewarm water.
- Gently rub it on the affected area.
- Leave it for a few minutes.
- Wash it off.
- Do it twice daily.
5.Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil prevents the ingrown hair area from getting infected. It has antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.
It also helps in healing the skin faster.
How To Use:
- Use a cotton swab.
- Dip it in the tea tree oil and gently apply it to the affected area.
- Leave it on for 10 minutes.
- Rinse it off with warm water.
6. Warm Water Compress
Warm water can reduce inflammation, open the pores to release the dirt and the dead skin from the skin.It also gives soothes the skin and lets the hair grow out.
How To Use :
- Warm the water.
- Soak a towel and keep it to the affected area.
- Keep it until it becomes cold.
- Repeat 3-4 times.
- Repeat the process 3 times daily.
7. Egg Membrane
Egg membrane is largely used for removing dirt and dead skin cells from the skin. It even helps to root out the deeper embedded ingrown hair.The egg membrane is the egg-lining of the shell.
How To Use:
- Break the egg and remove the egg lining.
- Apply it to the affected area.
- Keep it until it dries.
- Then remove it. The ingrown hair should come out with it.
- Repeat it until it falls out.
8. Honey
Honey like the egg membrane can exfoliate the skin. It has antibacterial and anti-microbial properties that can act if the area is infected. It is also antiseptic and can reduce the scars left by the ingrown hair.
How To Use :
- Mix two tbs. of honey with 1 tbs. of sugar.
- Apply the mixture to the affected area.
- Gently rub in a circular motion for a few minutes.
- Wash it off with lukewarm water.
9. Milk And Bread
Yes, milk and bread are very effective in removing the ingrown hair. The milk can also rejuvenate and soothe the skin.Warm milk and bread open up the pores and clear the dirt out preventing infection.
How To Use :
- Take hot milk.
- Dip a piece of bread in it and keep it in the affected area.
- Keep pouring hot milk on that piece every 2 minutes.
- Repeat it twice a day until the ingrown hair comes out.
Note – Check the milk temperature before applying otherwise you will burn your skin.
10. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar, like honey, has anti-inflammatory properties. It also helps prevent fungus or any infection.
How To Use :
- Use a cotton swab to apply ACV to the affected area.
- Keep it for a few minutes.
- Wash it off with warm water.
- Do it twice a week.
11. Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera provides immediate relief when applied to the affected area. It can reduce the inflammation, soothe the skin and remove the dead skin cells.It even nourishes and moisturizes your skin.
How To Use :
- Apply the gel to the affected area.
- Keep it for 20-25 minutes.
- Wash it off with lukewarm water.
- Do this twice daily.
12. Castor Oil
Castor oil when applied releases the pressure and opens the pore. This lets out the pus and the ingrown hair.
How To Use :
- Take half a cup of castor oil.
- Add 1 cup sugar to it.
- Add a few drops of essential oils.
- Apply this paste and leave it for 15 minutes.
- Rinse it off with water.
- Do this at thrice daily.
13. Lavender Oil
Like castor oil, lavender oil eases out the ingrown hair. It also has a cooling effect.
How To Use :
- Mix 7 drops of lavender oil with some coconut oil.
- Add 12 drops of tea tree oil to it.
- Apply the mixture to the affected area.
- Keep it on for a few minutes then wash it off.
- Do this twice daily.
14. Oatmeal
Oatmeal works as a scrubber and removes the dead skin allowing the pore to open up. It also has anti-inflammatory properties and can soothe the skin.
How To Use :
- Take grounded oatmeal in a bowl.
- Mix honey and yogurt. All three in equal measures.
- Massage this in the affected area.
- Leave it on for at least half an hour.
- Then rinse it off with lukewarm water.
- Do this for a week.
15. Cornstarch
Cornstarch has the same properties as the baking soda. It helps in reducing the pain, inflammation and acts like a scrubber to remove the dead skin.
How To Use :
- Mix cornstarch with water.
- Massage the paste on the affected area.
- Leave it for a few minutes.
- Wash it off with lukewarm water.
- Do this once daily.
16. Cucumber
Cucumber has cooling and healing properties. It helps in soothing the pain and the inflammation. It also reduces the itchiness and redness of the skin.
How To Use :
- Cut cucumber into slices.
- Places these slices on the affected area.
- Keep them for 20-25 minutes.
- Do this daily.
17. Potato Peel
Potato peel has anti-oxidant properties. It can also remove the ingrown hair from the skin.
How To Use :
- Apply the peel on the affected area.
- Leave it there for an hour.
- Do this thrice a day.
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Witch Hazel
Witch hazel is another effective remedy for ingrown hair. It can deal with the inflammation and pain as it has anti-inflammatory properties. It has anti-bacterial properties that can get rid of the bacteria too.
How To Use :
- Use a cotton swab to apply the witch hazel extract to the affected area.
- Leave it on for 10-15 minutes.
- Wash it off with lukewarm water.
- Repeat once daily,
19. Coffee
Coffee works as a scrubber. It exfoliates the skin, opens the pores and lets the ingrown hair out.It also soothes and softens the skin.
How To Use :
- Mix some milk with coffee powder.
- Massage the paste on the affected area,
- Leave it on for 15 minutes,
- Wash it off with lukewarm water.
20. Strawberries
Strawberries can prevent acne and pimple and can exfoliate the skin. It also nourishes and rejuvenates the skin.Strawberries have anti-oxidant and anti-aging properties.
How To Use :
- Crush some strawberries in a bowl.
- Mix some yogurt or cream in it.
- Massage this paste into the affected area.
- Leave it for 20 minutes.
- Wash it off with lukewarm water.
- Repeat once or twice daily.
21. Turmeric Powder
Turmeric helps in reducing inflammation. It also helps in killing the bacteria.Turmeric has healing properties and can remove scars and marks too.
How To Use :
- Mix turmeric powder with water, yogurt or milk.
- Apply the paste to the affected area.
- Let it rest for 15 minutes.
- Wash it off with water.
- Repeat once daily.
22. Lemon juice
Lemon juice is anti-bacterial in nature. It helps in keeping the skin healthy and is also known for aiding the removal of ingrown hair.
How To Use :
- Extract the lemon juice.
- Apply it to the affected area.
- Let it sit for 15 minutes.
- Wash it off with lukewarm water.
- Do once daily.
23. Benzoyl peroxide
Benzoyl peroxide helps in reducing swelling and pain. It is known to remove the ingrown hair.
How To Use :
- Apply a small amount of benzoyl peroxide on the affected area.
- Leave it until it dries.
- Repeat this 2-3 times daily for a week.
24. Coconut oil
Coconut oil is antiseptic in nature and can heal skin wounds, cuts, burns and rashes. It also reduces the itchiness and redness of the skin.Coconut oil also moisturizes the skin.
How To Use :
- Apply the oil to the affected area.
- Keep applying until you see a difference.
25. Calendula Oil
Calendula oil works same as coconut oil. It also helps relieve pain and inflammation. It also has antiseptic and soothing properties.
How To Use :
- Dilute calendula oil with coconut or almond oil.
- Apply this to the affected area.
- Apply once daily.
26. Frankincense Oil
Similar to lavender oil, frankincense has skin soothing properties to help to calm inflamed skin. Its antiseptic properties can fight germs and help remove the ingrown hair.
How To Use :
- Frankincense oil can be applied directly.
- Apply twice daily.
All the remedies have shown good result. But you can take a few steps to prevent it from getting worse or infected. Here a few precautionary steps you can take to avoid making it worse.
Do’s
- Wash the area regularly to exfoliate and keep the skin clean.
- Soften the hair by applying some cream before shaving.
- Trim the longer hair so that it is easier to remove the rest.
- Shave in the direction of the hair growth.
- Wear loose clothes.
- If the hair comes out, use a sterilized tweezer to pull it out gently.
- Use always a single blade.
- Wash the blade after every shave.
Don’ts
- Don’t pull the hair out anyhow. It can cause infection and can leave hair fragments in the skin.
- Don’t squeeze the bump. It can cause infection and leave scars.
- Do not pull the skin while shaving.
- Do not use old razers or blades.
Causes Of Ingrown Pubic Hair:
1. Shaving
When you shave the coarse hair can fold against the skin and start growing inwards or sideways. Even shaving against the direction of the hair growth can also lead to ingrown hair.
2. Waxing
Like shaving waxing too can cause ingrown hair. When waxing the hair can break below the skin level and can grow in the skin.
3. Pulling Or Tweezing
Similar to waxing pulling can leave fragments of hair in the hair follicle which can clog the area and lead to ingrown hair growth.
4. Tight Clothes
Constant rubbing of clothes on the skin can cause ingrown hair growth. The tight clothing can block the dead skin from coming out or it can due to excessive sweating.
5. Hair Follicle Gets Clogged With Dead Skin
When the hair follicles get clogged with dead skin and debris the hair still continues to grow. It folds and grows into the skin.
6. Curly Hair
People with curly hair are more likely to get ingrown hair as it can easily bend and twist and grow into the skin.
There are several symptoms that can show you if you have an ingrown hair. The symptoms are listed below.
Symptoms Of Ingrown Pubic Hair:
- Itching
- Redness
- Pimples
- Pus bump
- Blackhead
- Pigmentation
- Papules
- Embedded hair
- Inflamed skin
Ingrown hair is a common problem and gets alright on its own. But if it doesn’t or if you can follow a few simple home remedies that can take care of it.
How To Prevent Ingrown Pubic Hair After Shaving?
Often, shaving can leave you with ingrown hair because some hair fragments can be left inside. So, to avoid and prevent the ingrown hair you can take a few helpful steps.
- After shaving, take a sterilized tweezer and remove the ingrown hair gently if it is causing a problem. Otherwise, you can also take it out from the skin and let it grow on it.
- Use a scrubber to exfoliate the skin. After shaving, you can scrub your skin so the dead skin can fall off and prevent the hair from getting stuck or folding into the skin.
- You can also use OTC products like retinoids after shaving. This will remove the dead skin cells and prevent ingrown hair.
These few methods can prevent the ingrown hair after shaving. But if you have burning sensation or itching here are few tips to help with that.
Post Care Shaving
Sometimes, it becomes rather uncomfortable once you have shaved your hair. It might start itching or burning. In this situation, you can apply aftershave. Aftershave should be a must because it not only helps you smell good but also acts as a disinfectant.
You can also use some of the home remedies mentioned above to soothe the burning or itching skin.
When To See a Doctor?
Ingrown hair is a common problem and not much of a concern. But if you are having chronic ingrown hair then you should visit your doctor. It could be because of abnormal hormonal activities and your doctor will be able to advise you properly.Chronic ingrown hair can lead to bacterial infection, scarring and pigmentation.
If necessary he might advise you to take antibiotics or might suggests permanent hair removal treatment.
Conclusion
Hair removal is not that of a serious problem. The hair comes out by itself but if it doesn’t, you know what to do. Follow the advice given in this article. It is important that you follow the removal methods to prevent worsening it.