That small, red, and often painful bump after shaving or waxing is a familiar nuisance for many. An ingrown hair occurs when a strand of hair curls back or grows sideways into the skin instead of rising up from it. This can lead to inflammation, redness, and sometimes a pus-filled bump that looks remarkably like a pimple. If you’re dealing with one, your first question is likely, “Will this go away on its own?”
The Good News: Most Ingrown Hairs Heal Naturally
The short answer is yes, in most cases, ingrown hairs will resolve themselves without any need for dramatic intervention. Your body is designed to handle minor skin irritations like this. Given a little time—usually anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks—the hair often works its way out of the skin, and the inflammation subsides. The key is to be patient and resist the urge to pick or squeeze.
When to Give Your Skin a Helping Hand
While patience is a virtue, there are gentle ways to encourage the process along. Start by applying a warm compress to the area for a few minutes several times a day. This can help soften the skin and bring the hair closer to the surface. Gentle exfoliation with a soft washcloth or a mild scrub a few times a week can also help clear away dead skin cells that may be trapping the hair.
What to Avoid While You Wait
It can be incredibly tempting, but you should avoid picking, digging, or squeezing the ingrown hair. This can force bacteria deeper into the skin, leading to a more serious infection or permanent scarring. If you must do something, you can try carefully lifting the embedded end of the hair out with a sterilized needle, but only if it is clearly visible on the surface.
Signs It Might Be Time to See a Doctor
While most ingrown hairs are harmless, you should pay attention if the bump becomes increasingly painful, swells significantly, or fills with a large amount of pus. If you notice the redness spreading on your skin or you develop a fever, these could be signs of a more severe infection that requires medical attention and possibly prescription medication.
In the vast majority of situations, an ingrown hair is a temporary and manageable skin issue. With a little time and gentle care, your skin will likely return to its normal, smooth state. Focusing on prevention through proper shaving techniques and regular exfoliation can help keep them from coming back.