{"id":1247583,"date":"2025-12-26T16:36:01","date_gmt":"2025-12-26T13:36:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1247583"},"modified":"2025-12-26T16:36:01","modified_gmt":"2025-12-26T13:36:01","slug":"how-to-get-rid-of-ingrown-hairs-on-your-scalp-according-to-dermatologists","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1247583","title":{"rendered":"How to Get Rid of Ingrown Hairs on Your Scalp, According to Dermatologists"},"content":{"rendered":"
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How to Get Rid of Ingrown Hairs on Your Scalp, According to Dermatologists<\/h1>\n
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By<\/span><\/p>\n
Caitlin Duggan<\/p>\n
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\"caitlin\"caitlin<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\nCaitlin Duggan\n<\/div>\n
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    \nCaitlin is a contributing writer for Byrdie where she covers all things hair, from scalp health to the latest color trends.\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
    \nByrdie’s Editorial Guidelines\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
    Updated on August 28, 2024 12:39PM<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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    \"Close\"Close<\/div>\n<\/div>
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    Getty Images \/ Samantha Pierre \/ 500px<\/p>\n

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    Ingrown hairs are a nuisance\u2014to say the least\u2014and result from the hair follicle growing under the skin instead of emerging above it. This can cause irritation, inflammation, and some audible sighs (what, just us?). While they’re typically found on your face, legs, armpits, and pubic area, ingrown hairs can develop anywhere on the body, even your scalp. Fortunately, there are ways to get rid of ingrown hairs on your scalp, from washing your hair regularly to occasionally exfoliating. To find out more, we turned to three board-certified dermatologists\u2014Dr. Fatima Fahs, Dr. Marisa Garshick, and Dr. Neera Nathan. Keep reading to learn eight ways to treat and prevent ingrown hairs on the scalp. <\/strong><\/p>\n

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    Meet the Experts<\/p>\n

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    • Fatima Fahs MD, FAAD is a board-certified dermatologist at Dermy Doc Institute in Michigan.<\/li>\n
    • Marisa Garshick, MD, FAAD, is a board-certified dermatologist and clinical assistant professor at Cornell.<\/li>\n
    • Neera Nathan, MD, MSHS, is a Harvard-trained, board-certified dermatologist and skin cancer surgeon in Boston.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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      01<\/span>of 08<\/span><\/div>\n
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      Shave Properly <\/span><\/h2>\n

      According to our experts, the first step to treating ingrown hairs on the scalp is through prevention. It’s important to use proper shaving techniques, including shaving in the direction of the\u00a0hair\u00a0growth, cleansing the skin, and wetting the\u00a0hairs\u00a0before shaving to make them softer, says Garshick.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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      02<\/span>of 08<\/span><\/div>\n
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      Cleanse with Salicylic Acid Shampoo <\/span><\/h2>\n

      Salicylic acid is a chemical exfoliant and your best friend when it comes to getting rid of ingrown hairs; it helps to remove skin cells and buildup. Try a salicylic acid shampoo, like Drybar’s Crown Tonic Pre-Shampoo Scalp-Balancing Cleanser, which comes recommended by Garshick. By exfoliating and eliminating excess oil, the cleanser maintains the overall health of the scalp.\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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      03<\/span>of 08<\/span><\/div>\n
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      Use a Scalp Scrub <\/span><\/h2>\n

      According to Fahs and Garshick, exfoliants like scalp scrubs are helpful in treating existing ingrown hairs on the scalp and preventing future ones from forming. Garshick recommends Sukin Natural Balance Scalp Scrub while Nioxin likes Scalp Recovery Purifying Exfoliator. “Use this scrub before shampooing and massage directly onto the scalp, follow with shampoo and a moisturizing conditioner,” instructs Fahs.\n<\/p>\n

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      Byrdie Tip<\/p>\n

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      If you’re currently experiencing ingrown hairs on the scalp, it’s important to choose a scrub with the right ingredients, even if they’re secondary. For instance, although peppermint is not an exfoliant, a scalp scrub formulated with this ingredient offers soothing and cooling effects, say Garshick and Fahs.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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      04<\/span>of 08<\/span><\/div>\n
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      Try a Scalp Serum <\/span><\/h2>\n

      Depending on the severity of your ingrown hair, you may need to apply a leave-on product like a scalp serum. Certain serums work to reduce inflammation while simultaneously gently removing skin cells around the blocked\u00a0hair\u00a0follicle to release the trapped\u00a0hair, explains Nathan. She advises looking for products containing skin-soothing zinc, like Vegamour’s GRO Scalp Detoxifying Serum.\n<\/p>\n

      Alternatively, Garshick recommends using scalp serums with salicylic acid, like First Aid Beauty Anti-Dandruff Scalp Serum. “While marketed for dandruff, this salicylic acid serum can also help with\u00a0ingrown\u00a0hairs\u00a0as the salicylic acid helps to exfoliate to prevent clogged pores and buildup,” she notes.\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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      05<\/span>of 08<\/span><\/div>\n
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      Stop Wearing Hats <\/span><\/h2>\n

      Although you may be inclined to cover your ingrown hair with a hat, doing so could make matters worse. According to Nathan, friction and occlusion from tight hats or helmets may contribute to\u00a0ingrown\u00a0hairs\u2014not to mention, discomfort on the inflamed area\u2014by preventing the hair from emerging from the skin.\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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      06<\/span>of 08<\/span><\/div>\n
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      Avoid Scratching or Picking at Your Scalp <\/span><\/h2>\n

      The temptation to pick at ingrown hairs is strong, but Nathan advises against doing so. “If you do get\u00a0ingrown\u00a0hairs\u00a0on the scalp, avoid picking them as this can lead to more inflammation and possible scarring or\u00a0hair\u00a0loss,” she cautions.\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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      07<\/span>of 08<\/span><\/div>\n
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      Get a Prescription-Strength Treatment <\/span><\/h2>\n

      When is an ingrown hair on the scalp worthy of a dermatologist visit? According to Fahs, if you see pus or discolored fluid, it’s best to have your scalp evaluated by a dermatologist, as you may need topical or oral antibiotics to treat a\u00a0hair\u00a0follicle infection called “folliculitis.”\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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      08<\/span>of 08<\/span><\/div>\n
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      Consider an In-Office Treatment <\/span><\/h2>\n

      Dermatologists also have other tools available that may help get rid of the swelling faster, which is important when it’s in a noticeable location like the scalp. In some cases, they can administer cortisone injections to treat the problem quickly, says Garshick.\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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      Read more:<\/div>\n
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      • Hair<\/span><\/li>\n
      • Scalp Care<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n

        Source URL: https:\/\/www.byrdie.com\/ingrown-hair-on-scalp-7494994<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

        How to Get Rid of Ingrown Hairs on Your Scalp, According to Dermatologists By Caitlin Duggan Caitlin Duggan Caitlin is a contributing writer for Byrdie where she covers all things hair, from scalp health to the latest color trends. Byrdie’s Editorial Guidelines Updated on August 28, 2024 12:39PM Getty Images \/ Samantha Pierre \/ 500px […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[83],"class_list":["post-1247583","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-byrdie-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1247583","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1247583"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1247583\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1247583"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1247583"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1247583"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}