Ingrown hair is a very common experience and one you may have had if you regularly shave or wax. It can lead to hyperpigmentation, occasional pain and may even lead to an infection in some cases. Thankfully, there are steps you can take to treat deep ingrown hair. First, prevention is key. Preparing your skin prior to shaving and keeping the area moisturized can help avoid ingrown hair from forming. You may also be curious about removal. In most cases, experts recommend gentle exfoliation and patience as ingrown hair tends to go away on its own. However, consulting a board-certified dermatologist may be a good idea. Your provider may offer laser treatment, prescribe retinoids or even antibiotics in order to avoid a risk of infection. We’ve reached out to two dermatologists for the full breakdown on removing ingrown hair. Keep reading for expert advice on prevention, safe removal and when to see a doctor.

What Is a Deep Ingrown Hair?

Ingrown hair occurs when a hair grows underneath the skin rather than above it. Deep ingrown hairs often look similar to a pimple and may have the appearance of red and raised bump. They can be itchy, painful, swollen or simply uncomfortable. “Ingrown hairs often occur after shaving, tweezing, or waxing, and can be found in any area where hair grows, such as the face, legs, armpits, and pubic area,” Dr. Engelman says.

What Causes Deep Ingrown Hair?

Deep ingrown hairs frequently arise when a hair has been removed and then starts growing back and curves into the skin. “Ingrown hairs are most commonly caused by waxing, shaving, tweezing, threading, or cutting hair close to the skin,” says Dr. Palm. “Dead skin cells can also clog a hair follicle and cause it to grow under your skin, rather than out from your skin.”

Anyone with hair can get an ingrown hair but those with coarse, thick, or curly hair are more likely to experience them.

How to Prevent Deep Ingrown Hair

It isn’t possible to prevent all ingrown hairs, but you can take some steps to make them less likely to occur.

• Prepare for hair removal with warm water. Before shaving, tweezing, or waxing, make sure to prepare your skin by washing it with warm water.
• Use shaving cream or gel. When shaving, make sure to first apply a gel, cream, or even body wash or conditioner. This adds lubrication and can help prevent ingrown hairs.
• Choose the right razor and technique. Use a sharp razor and shave in the direction of your hair growth. This may reduce irritation and decrease the likelihood of razor bumps and hair growing in different angles.
• Use an exfoliating product. Integrate a gentle exfoliant into your routine before or after shaving. This can help remove dirt and dead skin cells that could potentially clog pores or hair follicles.
• Keep your skin moisturized. Regularly moisturizing your skin can help prevent the appearance of ingrown hairs over time.

Should You Remove Deep Ingrown Hair?

Ingrown hairs usually go away on their own. This means that most of the time, you don’t need to worry about removing them. “I encourage patients not to pick at ingrown hairs on their own because it can cause damage, scarring, or infection, especially if sharp tools are used,” says Dr. Engleman. “It’s not easy or desirable to hear, but the best course of action is usually allowing time for your body to heal and sticking to safe skincare practices—like gentle exfoliation and anti-inflammatory ingredients—that can help speed up that process.”

You can remove ingrown hairs on your own, but it’s typically best to leave this task to a dermatologist or your primary care physician. “It’s possible to remove visible ingrown hairs with the help of a sterile needle and tweezers,” Dr. Palm says. “But unless you’re skilled enough and able to do this in a clean environment, I generally advise against removing deep ingrown hairs yourself, as there’s a risk for infection, scarring, and damage to the skin.”

Removal Methods

Remember, if you have a deep ingrown hair that just isn’t going away, it is recommend you consult a dermatologist.

• In some cases, they may use laser hair removal to remove your ingrown hair. Technology in this area has come a long way and doctors now have access to lasers that can treat all skin types. “It is highly effective and less painful, and most importantly safe on darker skin tones, which is ever so important in our changing demographics in the U.S.,” Dr. Palm says.
• Your doctor might prescribe topical treatments like retinoids, which help reduce skin hyperpigmentation and remove dead skin cells. They also might prescribe steroids, which reduce inflammation and swelling.

Common Doctor Recommendations

• Your physician may suggest applying a warm compress to the ingrown hair.
• They may recommend hitting pause on removing hair in that area.
• Some dermatologists may suggest applying apple cider vinegar on the ingrown hair. This may help as this ingredient has anti-inflammatory properties that help soothe irritated skin, Dr. Engelman says.

When to See a Dermatologist

If the deep ingrown hair is giving you a lot of trouble and lasts more than a couple of weeks, it’s a good idea to see a doctor. “If an ingrown hair persists after about two weeks or begins to worsen in appearance, I recommend seeing a dermatologist for help,” Dr. Engelman says.

The Final Takeaway

Most ingrown hairs will go away on their own if you don’t touch or pick at them. However, if an ingrown hair is really bothering you or lasts more than a couple of weeks, it is recommended you consult your primary care doctor or a dermatologist. Avoid removing deep ingrown hair on your own as it can put you at risk of an infection or cause damage to the skin.