4 things to understand about ingrown hairs and how to treat them

Since ingrown hairs are associated with hair removal methods (such as shaving and tweezing), they are very common. As a Board-Certified Dermatologist, Dr. Huayi Zhang offers many treatments for and guidance on ingrown hairs to ease inflammation. Dr. Zhang also offers many treatments for conditions associated with ingrown hairs, such as cysts. Our team in McKinney, Texas, is pleased to provide four details about ingrown hairs and the potential problems they cause, as well as some insights into options to help at Bluebonnet Dermatology.

1 – How ingrown hairs form

When a strand of hair grows back into the skin after shaving, waxing, or other hair removal methods, it is known as an “ingrown hair” (or “razor bumps”). The more you shave, tweeze, or wax, the more likely you are to have them.

2 – Complications of ingrown hairs

Ingrown hairs are directly associated with skin irritation, small bumps (papules), pain, dark discoloration, and itching. Also, as ingrown hairs develop, your immune system responds by sending fluids to the hair follicles or sac-like chambers through which the hair grows. When the fluid becomes trapped in the follicle by the ingrown hair, cysts may form. The cyst may sting, burn, swell up, and feel warm or hot. As you scratch, pop, or otherwise disturb the cyst, bacteria can gain entry and cause an infection. You may notice pus, and the damaged skin may swell and feel painful. Untreated cysts may also cause skin discoloration and scarring.

3 – Diagnosing ingrown hairs, cysts

While ingrown hairs have a characteristic look, ingrown hair cysts can often resemble other skin conditions. Similar-looking conditions include cystic acne. Depending on the location of the cyst, a sexually transmitted infection may even be to blame for your symptoms. As with all conditions at our office, it is important for Dr. Zhang to accurately identify the source of your pain and inflammation to then develop a treatment plan that targets the right thing, or underlying cause.

4 – Treating ingrown hairs, cysts

We can advise on shaving techniques and products to minimize future ingrown hairs. For existing ingrown hairs, it’s important to stop shaving; let the area breathe and the hair grow. The application of warm compresses opens the pores, which helps to release the ingrown hairs. If symptoms do not improve, Dr. Zhang may prescribe medications to help with inflammation. For cysts, you may also benefit from:

• Steroid injections
• Steroid creams
• Antibiotic therapies (for active infections)
• Surgery to drain to remove the cyst

We can also take a wait-and-see approach, as most of these cysts are harmless and can go away on their own. If ingrown hairs and cysts bother you for any reason and seem to persist or are getting worse, contact Bluebonnet Dermatology. Call (469) 663-8838 to schedule your appointment with Dr. Zhang in McKinney, TX, today. 

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