One of the consequences of shaving is that sooner or later you will probably get an ingrown hair which can cause a red, swollen lump around the hair follicle. Ingrown hairs are also called razor bumps and they occur when one or more hairs curl back and start growing back into the skin. The first symptom of an ingrown hair may be just a small pimple-like bump, but if you don’t remove the ingrown hair, it can cause infection leading to inflammation, swelling and a large painful bump containing pus.
There are many effective natural home remedies to prevent a hair growing in on itself and reduce the redness and swelling they cause. These natural treatments exfoliate the skin to remove dead skin cells and also contain ingredients to soothe the skin and prevent infections from occurring. You can use these remedies to quickly get rid of the discomfort caused by ingrown hairs.
Warm Compress
One of the best and easiest ways to remove an ingrown hair is to use a warm compress. The heat from the compress helps to soften the skin and may help draw the ingrown hair closer to the surface.
Soak a washcloth with hot water and press on the ingrown hair. Keep the cloth hot by soaking it in hot water every so often and then reapply. Apply the compress for up to 10 minutes twice a day. When you can see the hair under the skin, you can carefully remove it with a sterile needle and tweezers.
To sterilize the needle, place the end of the needle through a flame and wipe it with an alcohol wipe. Carefully put the needle under the loop and gently coax the hair out. When some of the hair is out, you can pluck the hair using the clean tweezers.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is an amazing natural home remedy to heal many skin complaints, including providing instant relief from the inflammation and itch caused by an ingrown hair.
According to research into the properties of aloe vera, it can help to reduce excessive inflammation on the skin, soothe redness and swelling, and moisturize the skin to provide a protective barrier from impurities. It also actively heals damaged skin and boosts the skin’s production of collagen.8
To use aloe vera as a home remedy for ingrown hairs, apply pure aloe vera gel to the affected area. You don’t need to rinse it off as the aloe vera will be quickly absorbed into the skin. Use aloe vera gel on the skin area around the ingrown hair 2-3 times a day for a quick relief from inflammation and irritation.
Baking Soda and Coconut Oil
The grainy texture of baking soda makes it a great natural ingredient to remove dead skin cells that can clog pores and help get rid of ingrown hairs. When combined with coconut oil it makes a natural anti-inflammatory scrub that helps to reduce redness and swelling, as well as preventing bacteria from spreading.
For example, the journal Pharmaceutical Biology reported on the fact that virgin coconut oil contains anti-inflammatory properties and can help soothe redness and alleviate swelling.4 Studies into the compounds of baking soda show that it effectively kills off bacteria that can cause skin infections.5
Mix together 2 tbsp. coconut oil and 1 tbsp. baking soda to make a thick paste (if you have a sensitive skin you can increase the amount of the coconut oil). Gently massage the homemade exfoliating paste onto the affected area and leave for a few minutes. Rinse off with warm water. Repeat the process 2 times a day until the swelling and redness has disappeared completely.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar can also help to remove ingrown hairs and encourage the healing process of razor bumps. Because ACV is a natural antiseptic and helps to reduce inflammation, it can soothe irritated skin.
You should apply diluted ACV to the skin to avoid further irritation. Mix equal parts of apple cider vinegar and water and apply to the affected skin area with a cotton ball. To help the ACV penetrate the skin deeper, try holding the cotton ball on the ingrown hair for a few minutes. After 10 minutes, rinse your skin with warm water. Repeat a few times daily until the skin irritation and the bump caused by the ingrown hair has gone completely.
You can also add some witch hazel to the apple cider vinegar to make it even more effective.
Tea Tree Oil
You can use tea tree oil to speed up the healing process of facial bumps and reduce the inflammation caused by an ingrown hair. Unlike other essential oils, a little amount of tea tree essential oil can be used as a spot treatment on a small area of skin. If however you have a sensitive skin, mix it with a carrier oil.
Many studies have confirmed the fact that tea tree oil contains power anti-inflammatory properties which reduce itchiness, redness, and swelling caused by ingrown hairs and other skin conditions. It is also antibacterial, so it helps to treat skin infections and prevent bacteria from spreading.6
All you have to do is put a few drops of tea tree essential oil onto the end of a cotton swab and apply directly to the ingrown hair. The tea tree oil will reduce redness around the ingrown hair and it may also help to open up the pores to loosen the ingrown hair. Apply the tea tree oil remedy twice daily until the inflammation has reduced.
You could also add 3 drops of tea tree oil to 1 tbsp. olive oil and massage into a swollen razor bump to ease the discomfort that it is causing. Leave the olive oil and tea tree oil mixture on for 10-15 minutes before rinsing with warm water. Repeat 2 times a day until the redness and swelling has gone completely.