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Natural Remedy for Curing Ingrown Hairs

An ingrown hair is an inflammation that occurs when a hair starts to grow back into the side of the hair follicle. It can form anywhere, particularly where people shave on the face, legs, underarms and bikini line. The ingrown hair becomes an infected red bump that can be irritating and painful. Prevent ingrown hairs by using shaving cream and a fresh razor, as well as by exfoliating weekly with a loofah.

  1. Natural Cures

    • Aloe vera is a natural home remedy that can be used for everything from soothing sunburn to treating ingrown hairs. You can get a 99 percent pure aloe vera product at your local drugstore. Apply the aloe vera directly to the inflamed ingrown hair twice a day for three days.

      The Ingrown Hair Facts website (http://www.ingrownhairfacts.com) suggests making a sugar facial mask that can be applied anywhere you have an ingrown hair; the mask will exfoliate your skin and heal the ingrown hair. In a microwave-safe bowl, mix 1 cup sugar, 1/4 cup honey and 2 tsp. apple-cider vinegar. Squeeze half of a medium-sized lemon into the mixture, then heat in the microwave for two minutes. Stir thoroughly and leave to cool slightly. Dust 1-1/2 tsp. cornstarch on the ingrown hair and surrounding skin to soak up the skin's natural oils. Use a Popsicle stick to apply the mixture to the skin. After 20 minutes, wash it off with warm water. If the ingrown hair is still present after three days, reapply the sugar mask.

      For further effect, soak a cloth strip in the sugar mixture and apply it on top of the ingrown hair immediately after you have applied the mixture with a Popsicle stick. Allow the cloth to dry before quickly pulling the strip off in the opposite direction of hair growth. This may cause slight pain but should remove the ingrown hair.

    At-Home Removal

    • Clean the skin around the ingrown hair to remove bacteria. Soak a washcloth in hot water, then press it to the infection for several minutes. This will loosen the ingrown hair and should cause it to come to the surface. Keep using the washcloth until you can see the hair. Get sharp tweezers or a pin and lift the ingrown hair out. Optionally, you can simply pluck the hair out, though this can lead to scarring. Clean any discharge from the area and wash it. Cover it with an adhesive bandage to prevent aggravating the wound.

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