How To Pluck An Ingrown Pubic Hair

Have you ever had to deal with ingrown hair, downwardly there?

You lot might experience ingrown pilus after waxing, shaving or tweezing your pubic pilus, peradventure in preparation for a hot date or beach trip.

And aye, we know itchy red bumps are not the look yous were going for. So, we've asked the experts about the best ways to prevent and treat ingrown pilus in your pubic region.

What is ingrown pilus?

Ingrown hair normally occurs after hair removal when, rather than rising up to abound out of the peel, pilus becomes trapped under the skin's surface and causes inflammation.

One diagram shows a normal hair growing out of the skin, while another shows an ingrown hair trapped under the skin. — We get ingrown hair when hair becomes trapped under the skin.( ABC Everyday: Luke Tribe )

Sydney-based dermatologist Tevi Wain specialises in women's genital dermatology, and explains how certain hair textures are more prone to ingrown hair than others.

Dr Wain says areas of your body with thick, fibroid, curly hair — like the pubic region — are more than vulnerable to ingrown hair.

This is why you're unlikely to experience them after plucking the thin pilus on your eyebrows, or shaving the direct pilus on your legs, but if you were to pluck or shave your pubic pilus in the same way, you lot might.

The best way to remove pubic hair

Melbourne's Aakriti Gupta is a dermatologist specialising in hair disorders and vulval dermatology.

Both she and Dr Wain agree that laser hair removal is the best hair removal option for avoiding ingrown hairs.

But given light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation is expensive, and many laser clinics are airtight in lockdown, it may not be the all-time option for you.

Dr Gupta adds that while there are at-home laser devices, they're generally less effective than the real deal, and are not held to the same regulations equally medical grade lasers.

A headshot of Dr Gupta, who has long, dark hair and is wearing a white shirt.

Dr Gupta says you need to be careful when removing pilus in your pubic area.( Supplied )

She says while hair removal creams are an option, y'all'll demand to be very conscientious using them in the genital region, every bit they can exist highly irritating.

"If you're going to try [a hair removal cream], brand sure you test it first on a small area that's less sensitive before you venture about the bikini line."

Both dermatologists agree that shaving is the about likely method to crusade ingrown hair, with tweezing and waxing coming in equal 2d identify.

Dr Wain adds that one way to avoid ingrown pilus would be non removing all your hair – so using scissors or clippers to achieve a shut shave, but even so leaving some hair outside the skin.

How to prevent ingrown hair

If you practise decide to shave, wax or tweeze, both dermatologists say there are strategies y'all can employ to reduce your run a risk of getting ingrown hairs.

When removing hair with any method:

Moisturise before and subsequently, every bit keeping your peel healthy volition reduce your risk of irritation.
Just shave or wax in the direction of hair growth – go with the grain. Removing pilus confronting the grain tin can tug and "traumatise" the hair follicle, causing irritation.
Don't pull your skin taut, as this could cut your hair besides short, causing information technology to retract back into the skin without first growing out — causing ingrown hair.

When shaving:

Use a sharp razor each time, as this well help you lot reach a cleaner cut.
Curt, light strokes cause less irritation.
Don't shave over the aforementioned area more than than twice, as this could also lead to pilus that's too curt retracting back into the skin.

How to treat ingrown hair

If you do get ingrown hair, Dr Gupta says the best strategy to treat it initially is with the post-obit warm shrink method, which will help release the hair trapped nether your skin.

Wet a flannel or washer with warm tap h2o or saline.
Apply it to the surface area with ingrown pilus for 10 minutes, three times a twenty-four hours, with low-cal pressure.

Dr Wain adds if y'all're prone to ingrown pilus, you should also recall almost your clothing choices.

"In Commonwealth of australia we're obsessed with wearing lycra and workout wear all the fourth dimension, fifty-fifty outside of conditioning," she says.

She says changing out of tight lycra or swimmers as soon as you lot're done exercising will reduce your risk of skin and ingrown pilus issues.

"Wear loose cotton habiliment and underwear. Avoid synthetics, and avoid underwear and clothes that are tight, like Yard-strings."

Products that can assist with ingrown pilus

If your ingrown hair is persistent and uncomfortable, both dermatologists recommend over-the-counter steroid creams to assistance soothe the area.

A headshot of Dr Wain, who has long straight dark hair, and is standing in front of a tree.

Dr Wain says you don't need to become to a waxing or laser salon to discover ingrown hair treatments.( Supplied )

Dr Wain also recommends using chemical methods to encourage gentle exfoliation, however Dr Gupta says given the pubic region is then sensitive, you'll need to be really careful not to irritate the skin, and recommends trying whatever products on a less sensitive test patch commencement.

Exfoliation products will usually contain glycolic or salicylic acrid, and are often sold at laser clinics and waxing salons — only Dr Wain says you'll also be able to find them at virtually chemists.

She says sensitive pare types should stick to products that comprise about 10 per cent glycolic acid, just if y'all're prone to ingrowns, or don't have a sensitive skin blazon, yous tin go for a higher percentage.

For salicylic acrid, she says you should look for a level of around 2 to iv per cent.

How to spot infection and when to see a doctor

In some cases, ingrown hair tin can significantly impact your quality of life.

"If information technology's getting to the signal where you're uncomfortable, in pain, tin can't article of clothing certain things, getting a flake of oozing and getting some signs of infection similar swelling, redness, fevers or anything similar that, so you should see a specialist or GP," Dr Wain says.

Dr Wain adds that if you're regularly experiencing ingrown hair, it also might be worth seeing a GP.

"Fifty-fifty if it's mild, only information technology's ongoing, and you're ill of it and desire to resolve things, and then that'southward a good reason to run into a md at least to get advice or go on some sort of treatment."

This article contains full general information merely. Yous should consider obtaining independent medical communication in relation to your particular circumstances.