Question: What Can I Do About Infected Ingrown Hair?
Ingrown hairs and razor bumps often follow with an infection that often may look like something similar to a pimple to a large bump. You want to get the hair to point back out of the skin, kill the bacteria and then continue to prevent the bumps and redness before they strike again.
Answer: Once you see the area is infected, don't remove hair from the root (like waxing or tweezing), pick at the skin with your fingers and avoid shaving if possible. All of these things can can spread the bacteria and make matters worse. Instead, take action with these suggestions below.
Infected Ingrown Hair Fighters:
- Mud mask. Mud works well in drawing impurities out the skin, fighting inflammation and has exfoliating properties. It will also help the overall look of your complexion if you have a normal to oily skin type.
- Homemade sugar scrub. Using a natural scrub and essential oils to gently point hair out of skin and heal skin faster.
- Neosporin. This first aid antibiotic can be applied right after hair removal to ward off infection, or help rid it.
- Ingrown hair fighters. Many products are on the market to help you rid the redness, bumps and infection in a hurry.
- Tea Tree oil. If you’re into more natural options, apply a a very small amount to the infected area. Tea tree oil has antiseptic properties to fight off infected ingrown hairs.
- Pimple-killers. Often products that are made to fight off pimples and acne work very well because they exfoliate the skin and are made to ward off bacteria.
