Almost every adult will have dealt with an ingrown hair at one point or another, particularly in areas of the body that we shave — and though they're not usually serious, they're sure annoying! Occasionally, ingrown hairs become more than a temporary annoyance, leaving little scars and discolored skin in their wake, usually if we've been picking at them.
One SteadyHealth member had exactly this problem after shaving her pubic area. She wrote:
"I am darker in complexion and the marks are from ingrown hair marks that healed after I shaving.The dark marks are all over my vagina and also on my bikini lines from shaving. Please help me, how can I get rid of these marks and is it possible to exfoliate that area and if it is possible how can I exfoliate it, And can you please give me a solution that does not have to do with using bleaching creams, because bleaching creams ruin the skin. Please help me, its embarrassing and unpleasant."
Ingrown hairs, and the scars and hyperpigmentation they can cause, being such a common problem, she quickly got a barrage of answers, both from people dealing with similar issues and those who had been there, done that — and had advice to offer.
Discussion highlights
Questions
People dealing with ingrown hairs and sometimes resulting scars and skin changes asked:
- I am left questioning what to do, I can't even walk it's that bad.
- anyone have any recommendations of what i should try?
- Apricot scrub works for scars ?
- Have you ever used micro dermabrasion paste From Rodan + Fields?
- Hi ,I know this was some time ago but I am in the same situation but there are so many options do you have a link for the one you used so I can see what it looks like and I know what i needI hate my scars and I have holidays booked would like to feel good with my legs out for once Scars are both old and newHow long does it take to work ?
- If you don't mind, can you mention the exact brand/product name you used?
- can you put a picture up of what one u used please?
- i was wondering if the bio-oil really works?
- did it clog up any of your ingrowns?
- Hi MelissaI am have the same problem of ingrowns n scars from them.I felt really hopeful after reading your post on Glycolic Acid.Thank you so much for sharing it.I will look for it on Ebay ASAP.Can you please give your feedback now, as its been 11 months or so already that you have been using it, so I hope you have no more ingrown hairs n scars?Is it?
- What is the name of the lotion and how many ounces?
- hi there been reading all the different things everyone has put i am 20years old and suffer really badly with ingrown hairs on my bikini its horrible i have course hair so my hairs are very strong and tend to grow through in 2 i shaved first and then tried waxing i had no problems and then i started suffering really bad so i stopped and went back to shaving im now trying hair removal cream to see if that helps, i wanted to no if the Glycolic Acid can that be used on the bikini line or is it for legs only.and also with lazer do they do that on the bikini too and how does it workmany thanks charlotte
- hey i have the same problem and i really wont to get rid of the little scars whats should i get to put on them
- please help me how can I get rid of these marks and is it possible to exfoliate that area and if it is possible how can I exfoliate it,And can you please give me a solution that does not have to do with using bleaching creams, because bleaching creams ruin the skin.Please help me, its embarassing and unplesant.
- I'm still young and my legs look horrifying, how is anyone gonna see me ever?
- what skin bleach did you use?
- Do you know if this can be used in vaginal areas?
- What method of hair removal do u use then elly ?
- I have some ugly dark marks and I'd also like them to go away (with the hair), any solutions?
- Hi, has anybody tried a product called ingro go?
- What do i do?
- please help if any suggestions.
- However I have heard that laser hair removal is really good for sorting out ingrowing hairs like mine - has anyone else here had it done, does it hurt - am I being silly?
- Do you guys use a lotion aloe Vera and vitamin E or a oil?
- So do I leave it to naturally peel or exfoliate it ?
- So what do I do?
Symptoms
Ingrown-hair related symptoms people mentioned included:
- It hurts really bad and I can't even see the hair out the top.
- It is very embarrassing.
- for YEARS i have a suffered from bad ingrown leg hair, mainly from my knees down to my shins.
- and let me tell you, they were BADD!
- hi there been reading all the different things everyone has put i am 20years old and suffer really badly with ingrown hairs on my bikini its horrible i have course hair so my hairs are very strong and tend to grow through in 2 i shaved first and then tried waxing i had no problems and then i started suffering really bad so i stopped and went back to shaving im now trying hair removal cream to see if that helps, i wanted to no if the Glycolic Acid can that be used on the bikini line or is it for legs only.and also with lazer do they do that on the bikini too and how does it workmany thanks charlotte
- I grew up with the worst ingrown hair and scarring problem ever and it was so frustrating and sad for years.
Solutions
No discussion is complete with advice, and some of the solutions offered for dealing with ingrown hairs and resulting scarring included:
- Although going against the direction of hair growth when you shave will give you a closer shave, It is not the best way to go because it will increase the chance of ingrown hair.
- You can try one stroke at a time and then rinse the blade.
- Any over the counter product you purchase to help treat this issue, look for SALICYLIC ACID as the active ingredient.
- This helps to turn the dead skin cells around.
- Exfoliate, (helps to remove dead skin cells) use something from home or purchase from the drug store.
- Exfoliating will help to get rid of the ingrown hairs that are causing this issue.
- You can also attempt to tweeze the ingrown hairs.
- Cleanse area first wash with a gentle soap like dove, it’s very good for delicate areas.
- Tree tea oil, put a couple drops in a spray bottle add water.
- Apply shaving cream once finished shaving wash away shaving cream and spray area with tree tea oil.
- I use pfb vanish serum although I see some improvement but not much.
- I have never used Bio oil but try Rosehip Oil its the same kinda thing It will take a while though.
- You can use Retin-A to smooth over skin and reduce scars .
- of course TEND, BLISS (u name it)- I used it all.
- i scrub every other day (scrubbing really improved my situation-the only downside is that if u fake tan-it goes away faster- KP scrub @ sephora works great).
- And yeah save up for the laser.
- hey guys I have that exact problem and the way to beat it is to exfoliate every day for me its religious I do it everytime i have a shower i even exfoliate under my arms if that doesnt work u need to go to the doctors and get put on AKAMIN its for skin infections from ingrown hairs, Ive also had a operation recently to remove cycst which were caused from ingrown hair, all i can say is since ive started exfoliating Ive been free of it, I also recommend you dont shave and use the new schick shaver it works like the shavers men use to shave there heads OMG its the best thing ever invented i LOVE it good luck girls ;)
- I have tried bio oil, coco butter etc - but they didnt remove ingrown hair for me at all.
- so i started to steam my legs before a shower pretty much everyday.
- I also put drops of navaratna oil in the water - it feels amazing.
- Twice a week, after the steaming, i rub half a lemon on my leg, and massage my leg ( do this before red sandalwood exfoliation) then have a shower, after the shower, rub rosehip oil on to your legs ( i use rosehip oil twice a day) its not a quick fix, but i have seen a big decrease in the number of ingrown hair and also, the growth of hair after waxing has reduced greatly.
- I haven't really found anything for the dark spots left from the old bumps but I think I will try the apricot scrub and vitamin e and hope it helps.
- Palmers Coa Coa butterShea butterMedermaScarprimBio OiAmbiAloe veraNOTHING REALLY WORKED!
- I find that using coconut oil before and after really help to give me a smoother shave.
- Also exfoliating before and after helps a lot to remove dead skin or release hairs that were trapped under the skin.
- I have started exfoliating my skin, i also made a mixture of fresh aloe vera, vitamin E, and vitamin C;
- yves (it has sand it in) and to leave it on for 10 min and use hand sanitizer whenever possible to prevent ingrown hairs, worked for me!
- my wax tech told me to use apricot scrub by St.
- for the scars vitamin e and aloe vera is the only thing that can help, so don't bother buying expensive lotion because they don't work!
- I have the same problem and I have discovered a product called Bio-Oil which is for scars, stretch marks, uneven skin tone, ageing skin and dehydrated skin.
- I have this ingrown hair bump on my face I got rid of the dark marks with Ambi Fade Cream.
- I'm trying neutrogena body wash with salicylic acid in it and Palmer's Skin Success .
- i started picking at the hairs to get them out, then they would scar, and become ingrown all over again because the scar wouldn't allow the hair to grow through.
- so i did research and searched online, on ebay, and found a 15% (very strong) glycolic acid LOTION (important that it's a lotiont, because it's a applied like a body lotion, it's not messy and you don't have to apply it with a cotton swab like tend skin.
- 5th Hydroquinone lotion (2% is available over the counter, anything greater has to prescribed by a dermatologist).
- Hydroquinone is a powerful skin bleach that is ideal for removing dark spots from razor bumps and ingrown hairs.
- Utilize thick shaving cream with a sharp new razor when shaving.
- Splash with cold water after shaving to close pores.
- Always use a moisturizer to finish the process!
- This post was ages ago, but incase anyone looks:Do not waste time or money with anything - go straight to laser hair removal (NOT IPL/SPL).
- It will cure your ingrowns and mean you wont need to shave again so no new ones or bumps will appear.
- I had the same problem, I have been shaving since I was 14 and had ingrown hairs that caused scarring, so this year I started using Black Opal Fade Cream, not the Gel, in the white tube.
- I have stopped shaving and gone to waxing.
- I've used Nair Bikini Hair Removal and it works but i still get redness and bumps from it.
- But still get ingrowns, and sadly have a few scars down there from them.However the best thing I can suggest comes from your own cupboard.
- Olive oil!
- Ive used mederma as well and it is also a good product in my book.
- get to the doctors and get ya biff checked
- Any dermatologist will tell you that you need a product with a high AHA/BHA level - which is the best thing to truly help with exfoliating skin.
- Using abrasive exfoliants can sometimes make the skin more red and irritated.
- Mederma gel, but many Dr's also recommend to keep the skin moist to encourage healthy skin cell regeneration e.g.
- Vitamin E or rosehip oils.
- A more permanent solution would be laser e.g.
- I wouls suggest coca butter oil.
- I dont shave any more I use like hair removal like veet.
- do not shave anymore .
- use blistex on bumps , but for the scars / dark marks blistex also help but i recommend a trip to walgreens for nuetrogena's tone corrector cream or apply cocoa butter as many times a day possible :)
The SteadyHealth team reacts
Ingrown hairs are exactly what they sound like they are — hairs that curl back into the skin or even the follicle, rather than growing outward. Most commonly associated with shaving, ingrown hairs can also result after waxing or even tweezing hairs. Although most ingrown hairs are nothing more than a minor annoyance, they can also develop into an infection called folliculitis. In this case, the site will look rather a bit like acne, complete with pus-filled bumps.
Managing ingrown hairs
The majority of cases will clear up if you just do nothing at all. It is, in fact, scratching or picking at ingrown hairs that is most likely to result in an infection, so if you really want to try to "tease the hair out":
- Use sterile tweezers
- Wash your hands beforehand
- Wipe the skin down with an antibacterial wipe
To help prevent ingrown hairs in the future, you can stop shaving — but if you don't want to do that, use a fresh, sharp, razor, apply shaving cream or gel and wet the area in question, and don't shave too closely.
Fading hyperpigmentation
Many people notice darker areas of skin around the site of an ingrown hair, that persists long beyond the troublesome hair itself. Dr Sasa Milosevic explains why this happens:
"Brown areas, or hyperpigmentation, remain after the inflammation subsides due to increased melanin production during the inflammation. The epidermis retains this melanin even after the inflammation is resolved. While the phenomenon is usually not permanent, it may take up to a year for the hyperpigmentation to fade. If you repeatedly have ingrown hairs in the same spot, meanwhile, the melanin penetrates the dermis, a deeper skin layer, and may stick around for several years."
If you don't simply want to wait it out, treatments for hyperpigmentation are available:
- Creams that contain hydroquinone, a kind of "skin bleach", are available with a prescription.
- Tretinoin and cortisone creams may also be prescribed.
- Laser treatments can be used quite successfully to fade areas of hyperpigmentation.
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