Ingrown Hair Bumps

Ingrown hair bumps are a common problem affecting people with curly hair. However, it does not mean that others do not suffer from it. Ingrown hair usually affects everybody at some point of time or the other. This is a common problem which can be seen if the person shaves regularly. In medical terms, ingrown hair bumps are called Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (PFB). They are also referred to with different names such as razor bumps, razor burn, hair bumps, shaving bumps and ingrowns.

Cause of Razor Bumps

These bumps are formed when the hair is cut or broken off, below the skin level. The hair begins to grow through surrounding tissue and not through the hair follicle, causing a bump. Sometimes, the hair curls round and starts growing back into the skin, which causes irritation and inflammation. Razor bumps on legs and on arms are often caused when waxing is the hair removal method preferred. Waxing causes major trauma to the hair follicle. While waxing, the hair is pulled out at an angle, it often causes the hair to grow back at the same angle into the side of the follicle, instead of growing straight up.

Ingrown Hair Bumps Treatment

If the razor bumps are left untreated, they can become infected. When you want to treat these bumps, you will have to be careful and not irritate the skin any further, as it may also lead to ingrown hair infection. Treating razor bumps on face or on any other body part does not mean pulling out the hair. There are methods which will have to be used to get rid of ingrowns.

Exfoliate the Affected Area
After a warm shower, use a gentle exfoliating scrub on the skin, where the hair bumps are located. If you have ingrown hair on your face, you will have to take care, that you use exfoliating scrub meant for sensitive facial skin. There are exfoliating scrubs which can also be made at home from ingredients used in the kitchen. One of the home remedies for hair bumps is to use a soft bristle face brush on the affected area in circular motions. This will dislodge the tips of the ingrown hair, eliminate dead skin cells and clear follicles to allow hair to come to the surface of the skin unimpeded.

Change Shaving Technique
You probably are using a wrong shaving technique which is giving rise to ingrown hair bumps. If you shave too closely, it causes the hair stubs to get trapped inside the hair follicle and dig inwards or sideways. Avoid shaving too close, or pulling the skin when you shave and also do not put too much pressure on the blades. It is recommended to use a single blade razor to avoid ingrown hair.

Method to Remove the Hair from the Bump
You will need a sterilized needle. Dip the needle in rubbing alcohol for about 30 seconds. Let the alcohol on the needle dry completely. In the mean time, apply a hot compress on the affected area for about a minute. The heat helps in opening the pores and provides easier access to the hair. Using the tip of the needle gently free the hair from the bump. Make sure you cause as little damage as you can to the surface of the skin. If you want you can also remove the hair with a pair of sterilized tweezers or leave the hair alone to grow. Washing the affected with antibacterial soap is also recommended to avoid infection.

For more information, read

• Infected Ingrown Hair Remedy
• Infected Ingrown Hair Treatment

For some people, hair bumps can become a recurring problem. In such cases, you will have to take extra care as to prevent them from happening itself. One of the ways can also be by using a body loofah, when you take a shower. Using the loofah exfoliates the skin and does prevent the occurrence of ingrowns.