Video:How to Deal with Ingrown Hairs

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Transcript:How to Deal with Ingrown Hairs

Hey guys - Jonathon Stewart here for About.com. You know, if you're a shaft of hair, you really don't have it all that tough. All you have to do is grow out of the little hole that's already there for you. Is that so hard? Apparently, since sometimes you curl around, get all red and itchy and inflamed, and we're left to deal with you. But be warned, we're going to take a look at the following tips, and nip your urge to be an ingrown hair in the bud. Check it out.

Causes of Ingrown Hair

The single most common cause of ingrown hairs is shaving. Cutting the hair shaft with a razor leaves the exposed edge sharp, and sometimes nudges the hair back into the follicle, which results in the bumpy, irritated ingrown hair we all abhor.

Prevent Ingrown Hair

To prevent the occurrence of these little buggers, you might want to try the following:

Growing a beard is the "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em" theory of ingrown hair avoidance - simply, if the hair's not shaved, it doesn't have nearly the chance of growing improperly. If you are going to shave, be sure to rinse your skin with warm water to soften the hair, and definitely use a clean sharp razor. Be careful to shave in the direction of the hair's growth, and always moisturize when finished. Exfoliating will help to keep your pores clear and remove dead skin cells that can cause hairs to become ingrown.

For women, next to shaving, the most common cause of ingrown hairs is wearing tight clothing. So you might want to think twice before heading out on the town in head to toe spandex. All of these suggestions should help, but what happens if you get an ingrown anyway? Take a look.

Treating Ingrown Hairs

Start by applying a warm, damp washcloth to the affected pore, and leave it there for a good five minutes or so. This should help to soft the hair, and bring it closer to the surface. Next, sterilize a pair of tweezers or a needle with rubbing alcohol, and carefully pull the hair out of the follicle, being careful not to damage the surrounding skin. Don't pluck the hair - just make sure it's no longer trapped. Wash the area with a mild cleanser, and apply a dab of hydrogen peroxide to ensure the pore doesn't get infected.

The bottom line is that if you take good care of your skin, and your hairs, then there's a good chance they'll take care of you in turn. Maybe ingrowns, like all of us, just want a little love, too.

Thanks for watching! To learn more, visit us on the Web at About.com.