How to get rid of an ingrown hair FAST

There might be nothing worse than planning an epic beach day and then realizing you’ve developed a nasty ingrown hair. I’ve gone into detail on ingrown hairs on the journal previously, but the focus was on what exactly an ingrown is, what causes them and how they can be avoided. I thought it could be beneficial to also share my tips on what you can do to get rid of an ingrown hair as quickly as possible. Here’s what you need to do:

1  /  Don't pick or scratch 
Avoid picking or scratching at the ingrown hair—no matter how tempting. This basically guarantees further irritation to the area and increases the risk of infection or scarring.

2  /  Avoid tight clothing  
Avoid anything with seams that could rub on or near the ingrown hair. If the ingrown hair has occurred on your bikini line, be particularly aware of your underwear (I’m a huge advocate for going underwear free in this case).

3  /  Apply warm compresses  
Place a warm, damp washcloth or compress on the affected area for a few minutes. The warmth can help soften the skin, reduce inflammation, and encourage the hair to surface.

4  /  Gently exfoliate  
Use a gentle exfoliator (I use our agave cloth or small sponge depending on where the ingrown has occurred) to lightly scrub the area in circular motions. This can help remove dead skin cells, unclog the hair follicle, and encourage the hair to break through the skin.
***note the use of the term gentle, harsh exfoliation—think trying to sandpaper away the skin it’s trapped behind—can lead to further irritation/inflammation

5  /  Keep the area clean 
Cleanse the area with a mild, non-irritating cleanser and try to avoid spending longer than necessary in clothing you’ve perspired in (read as change out of your gym clothes asap).

6  / Keep the area moisturized
Ingrown hairs are caused by clogged hair follicles and one of the things that clogs them is oil. When your skin is dry it can create excess oil to compensate. Keep the are well hydrated with a non-greasy formulation (our ingrown oil is perfect for this as it’s both curative and preventative). 

7  /  Consider a drying lotion  
I know this completely contradicts the above, but if your ingrown hair is more pimple-like, using a drying lotion overnight can help bring the hair to the surface. I always make sure to wipe off the solution in the morning with a warm wash cloth and then immediately apply ingrown oil to the area.

While I can’t promise the above will disappear your ingrown hair overnight, if you catch it a couple days before following these tips can help eliminate it before you hit the beach!