How to deal with ingrown pubic hair

Summer is around the corner and pre-season maintenance is in full swing for those who wish to look impeccably groomed while showing it all off. 

Among the many beauty treatments being done in preparation for summer is the removal of hair in areas that have been hidden away all winter. One of the consequences of this grooming is ingrown pubic hair which can either be a simple hassle or downright painful.

According to Healthline, ingrown pubic hairs refers to what happens when your pubic hair grows back into the skin instead of up to the surface. It can happen when pubic hair has been shaved, waxed or plucked.

The site says they can be identified by the round bumps they cause which are called papules, or small, pus-filled bumps called pustules.

“In some cases, the skin around the ingrown hair may become darker. This is known as hyperpigmentation.”

How to remove ingrown pubic hairs

Although they often clear up on their own without treatment, numerous sites advise the following remedies if you’re in a rush to get rid of ingrown pubic hairs

1. Stop removing the hair in that area until the ingrown hair goes away.
2. Apply warm compresses to the area to open up the pores in preparation for an easier removal
3. Gently pull out the hair using sterile tweezers or a needle to gently pull the hair to the surface before plucking it out with some tweezers

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“Try not to pluck it out completely until the area is healed, or the skin will heal over the hair again. Don’t dig into your skin. Breaking through your skin could cause an infection,” advises Healthline. 

4. Remove dead skin by gently washing and exfoliating the area around the ingrown hair.

5. Use creams or other prescribed topical remedies to reduce inflammation.

Pharmacies do sell over-the-counter treatments for ingrown pubic hairs that contain ingredients such as salicylic acid or glycolic acid. 

Healthline warns that these products work to keep your hair follicles open, so the hairs don’t get trapped again and should therefore not be used if you already have ingrown pubic hair, because they could irritate the area.

If you favour a more holistic approach, ingredients such as tea tree oil, sugar (a natural exfoliator when mixed olive oil or honey) and baking soda can help. 

Compiled by Kaunda Selisho

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