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10 Best Home Remedies For Ingrown Hair

Ingrown hair can be very painful and cause discomfort and make a person feel miserable. This phenomenon occurs when the sharp tip of a hair pierces the skin and gets implanted. The worst part is it starts taking root and growing, leaving a sort of ring on the skin.

This usually occurs in the face of men and other areas like armpits, groin, legs, eyelashes, inner thighs, and scalp in both men and women. Apart from being embarrassing, this sort of growth can be very painful, though the growth stops by itself. However, there are several easy home remedies for ingrown hair that give relief from the pain and discomfort.

Causes & Symptoms

  • Causes: Curly, coarse hair pierces the skin easily, hormones (excessive secretion), razor bumps known as pseudofolliculitis.
  • Symptoms: formation of small bumps known as papules, pus-filled blisters known as pustules, hyperpigmentation of skin, itching, and pain

10 Home Remedies For Ingrown Hairs

While the problem of ingrown hair tends to get resolved by itself in most cases, it can cause discomfort as long as it lasts. There are several easy home remedies for ingrown hair that give relief, and here are the ten best:

10. Baking Soda (Sodium bicarbonate)

  • Mix 3-4 teaspoons of Baking Soda with water to make a thin paste.
  • Dip a cotton ball in the paste and apply on the problem areas.
  • Let it sit for 30 minutes. Wash the area with cool water.
  • Continue the process for a week or so.

Baking soda or sodium bicarbonate is also known as nahcolite, which is derived from the mineral natron. It has been used for ages for treating various conditions and illnesses. It is very effective in controlling itchy rashes and gives instant relief. Baking soda is an antiseptic and antimicrobial agent and has anti-inflammatory properties as well. Baking soda is a natural deodorant and has been used effectively to treat insect bites and bee stings. When applied on the ingrown hair it gives relief from the pain and inhibits the ingrown hair growth. Baking soda is one of the best home remedies for ingrown hair.

While baking soda does not cause any adverse side effects, it may cause some irritation when applied on a raw wound skin or sensitive skin.

9. Cucumber & Milk

  • Grate 2 fresh cucumbers and add 2 tablespoons of milk to it.
  • Refrigerate this mixture for 30 to 45 minutes. Apply this puree on the affected parts.
  • Let it sit for an hour or so. Wash with warm water and dab dry.
  • Repeat the process daily for a week.

Cucumber is a natural, skin-friendly vegetable that is loaded with useful minerals that have the power to hydrate the skin and keep it fresh and glowing. Moreover, cucumber also has anti-inflammatory properties and is a natural exfoliating agent. Milk can do wonders to the skin and helps remove the minutest blemish left behind by ingrown hair. Together, cucumber and milk make one of the best home remedies for an ingrown hair.

Cucumber does not cause any side effects when applied on the skin. Milk also does not cause any side effects and is safe to use on the skin.

8. Sugar, Virgin Olive oil & Tea Tree Oil

how to get rid of ingrown hair

  • Mix 5-6 teaspoons of white sugar with 4 teaspoons of olive oil. Mix until the sugar dissolves. Add 2-3 drops of Tea Tree Oil.
  • Apply on the affected areas and rub gently. Let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes.
  • Wash off with warm water and dab dry. Repeat the process daily for a week or so.

Sugar is a great natural exfoliating agent and is excellent for removing dead skin cells, which helps in dislodging the ingrown hair. Applying sugar and olive oil solution also helps clean the area of infectious germs and gives the skin back its original tone and appearance. Tea Tree oil which is a natural antioxidant also has some amazing antimicrobial as well as anti-inflammatory properties. Together, sugar, olive oil, and Tea Tree oil make one of the best home remedies for ingrown hairs.

Sugar is quite harmless when applied on the skin and does not cause any adverse side effects. Tea tree oil and olive oil also do not cause any adverse side effects.

7. Aloe Vera Gel

  • Cut 1-2 thick leaves of Aloe Vera. Remove the thorny spikes.
  • Peel the skin on the rounded side and collect the gel.
  • Apply the gel on the ingrown hair. Let it sit for a couple of hours.
  • Wash off the gel with cold water, and dab dry gently.
  • Repeat process twice daily for a week.

Aloe Vera is one of the most useful medicinal herbs that has multiple therapeutic benefits and is used extensively to treat skin afflictions and for various hair problems. Aloe Vera gel is a natural antibacterial agent that has amazing antimicrobial and antifungal properties as well. Applying Aloe Vera gel on ingrown hair has a soothing effect and helps get relief from the itching and irritation. Aloe Vera also has antiseptic qualities that help with the healing process. Aloe Vera is one of the best home remedies for ingrown hair.

Aloe Vera gel does not cause any adverse side effects while applied topically and is quite safe to use for adults and children.

6. Honey

  • Apply 2-3 teaspoons of unprocessed honey to the affected areas.
  • Let it sit for 30 minutes. Wash with cold water and dab dry.
  • Repeat the process two to three times daily for a week.

Honey is a natural antiseptic agent that has been used as medicine for ages. It has been used by some African tribes to treat severe burn wounds and is believed even to remove the ugly burn scars. Apart from being an antiseptic agent honey is also an excellent antimicrobial and antibacterial agent that has anti-inflammatory properties as well. Honey helps in containing the swelling and pain caused by ingrown hair. That is why it is one of the best home remedies for ingrown hair.

Honey does not cause any adverse side effects when applied topically on the skin and is quite safe.

5. Sea Salt

how to get rid of ingrown hair bumps

  • Mix 2 teaspoons of Sea Salt crystal in 3-4 teaspoons of water. Use a cotton ball to apply the saline solution on the affected parts. Let it sit for 30 to 45 minutes.
  • Wash with cool water. Repeat the process two to three times daily for a week

Sea salt, also known as bay salt has been used as medicine for treating various skin conditions and other ailments. It helps in maintaining acid-alkali balance and is a great natural exfoliating agent. Sea salt also helps in improving the electrolyte balance of the body. Sea salt contains more than 82 essential trace nutrients that are present in the oceans which are necessary for the healthy functioning of the human body. Sea salt is one of the best home remedies for ingrown hairs.

While Sea salt does not cause any major side effects, it can cause a lot of irritation and a burning sensation when applied on the raw or sensitive skin.

4. Lemon Juice

  • Take a fresh lemon and cut in two halves. Squeeze the juice and remove the seeds,
  • Apply the lemon juice on the affected areas. Allow it to sit for an hour or an hour and a half.
  • Wash with cool water and dab dry. Repeat the process twice daily for a week.

Lemon juice has many medicinal properties and has been used to treat infections in the throat, indigestion, and constipation. Lemon juice is very effective in curing several skin afflictions and helps attain right skin tone. It is loaded with Vitamin C, B6 and A, E and folate along with niacin, thiamin, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, and other minerals like copper, iron, potassium, zinc, calcium, and magnesium. Lemon juice is a natural antioxidant and also has strong antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that help cure ingrown hair. Lemon juice is one of the best natural home remedies for ingrown hair.

Lemon juice does not cause any adverse side effects and is quite safe for the skin. However, if the skin is very sensitive, lemon juice can aggravate the situation and cause a severe burning sensation.

3. Potato Peel

  • Take 2-3 large sized potatoes. Boil the potatoes and peel them after cooling them.
  • Apply the peel ( the fleshy side against the skin) on the affected areas. Bind them with some surgical tape. Let it sit for 5 to 6 hours.
  • Remove the surgical tape and potato peel and wash. Repeat the process daily for a week.

The Potato is a vegetable that is starchy in nature and belongs to the Solanaceae family which is an edible tuber. Potatoes are rich in Vitamin C, and the peel has been used to treat various skin afflictions. It is very effective in removing dark circles and is also great for removing premature wrinkles. Potato peel is also an excellent remedy for skin blemishes and ingrown hair, which it helps remove without causing much pain. Potato peel is also a good remedy for dry skin. Potato peel is probably one of the easiest home remedies for ingrown hair.

Potato peel does not cause any adverse side effects when applied on the skin. It may cause a bit of discomfort when applied on the skin and needs a thorough cleaning after each application.

2. Cornstarch Powder

remedies for ingrown hair

  • Mix 2-3 teaspoons of Cornstarch powder with water to make a thin paste.
  • Use a ball of surgical cotton to apply the paste on the affected areas. Let it sit for a couple of hours or so. Wash with cool water and pad dry.
  • Repeat the process twice daily for a week.

Cornstarch powder, also known as maize starch powder is used as a food additive while making soups and gravies. However, it has some amazing medicinal properties and is excellent for treating skin afflictions. While it is good as a setting for oily skin as it helps in soaking the excess oil, cornstarch powder also has excellent anti-inflammatory properties apart from having antibacterial properties as well. Applying cornstarch powder on the affected skin has a soothing effect and gives relief from the pain caused by an ingrown hair; moreover, it helps in removing such ingrown hair. Cornstarch powder is one of the best natural home remedies for ingrown hair.

Cornstarch powder does not have any adverse side effects when applied on the skin and is quite safe to use.

1. Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)

  • Take 2-3 teaspoons of Apple Cider Vinegar. Dip a cotton ball in the Apple Cider Vinegar and apply on affected parts. Let it sit for a couple of hours.
  • Wash with cool water and dab dry. Repeat the process twice daily for a week.

Apple Cider Vinegar is probably one of the best home remedies for ingrown hair. It has a soothing effect on the affected skin and helps get relief from the pain caused by the implanted ingrown hair. Apple cider vinegar has very rich anti-inflammatory properties and is a natural antioxidant. Moreover, it has high antimicrobial properties that help heal the hives caused by ingrown hair and contribute to cure this affliction on the skin. Apple cider vinegar is one of the best home remedies for ingrown hair.

While Apple Cider Vinegar does not cause any adverse side effects when applied topically on the skin, it may cause irritation and a burning sensation when used in its undiluted form. For sensitive skin and raw skin caused by ingrown hair, dilute the Apple cider vinegar in some water.

See a doctor immediately if:

  • The skin irritation and pain are severe.
  • You develop fever and redness in the skin.
  • You notice pus formation in the affected areas.

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