Infected Hair After Waxing: How To Treat It?

Surely it has happened to you on occasion, after waxing and, as the days go by, you notice that a small and painful inflammation appears. You have ingrown or ingrown hair. 

Sometimes, inflamed hair follicles can lead to  folliculitis  due to a bacterial or fungal infection in the area, according to this study by the Beijing Hospital (China).

This causes redness of the skin, inflammation, infection, and complications that can lead to pus and scars.

If it hurts, bothers and is unsightly, it is best to consult your regular doctor first. He will probably refer you to a doctor who specializes in skin diseases ( dermatologist ).

Here we explain what an ingrown hair is and how to act before its appearance.

Why does ingrown hair usually appear?

The presence of hair is a natural fact in the human body. Depending on culture, fashion, and personal preference, it may require a periodic removal or trimming routine.

Routines for removing hair include waxing, laser hair removal, or the classic razor.

Sometimes when hair grows back, some hairs, instead of surfacing normally from the hair follicle and through the dermis, fold and continue to grow under the skin. 

The area can become inflamed and an ingrown hair appears. If the inflammation increases and the hair does not manage to emerge to the outside, it will lead to a cyst or cyst hair.

If the area becomes infected with bacteria or fungi,  we would be in the presence of folliculitis. 

How to remove an ingrown hair?

Healing may require the intervention of a dermatologist, who removes the hair with the help of a sterile needle.

If there is inflammation, the doctor may prescribe oral or topical antibiotics.

Laser hair removal and electrolysis techniques can also be suggested to permanently remove the villi. Finally, surgery can be used in case of abscess or serious infection.

At the same time, there are natural remedies that you can practice at home to improve the skin and help relieve the cyst.

Read also Fight the infection of the hair follicles with 5 home remedies

Remedies for ingrown or ingrown hairs

1. Shower with hot water

Hot water helps to dilate skin pores and reduce inflammation. Allow the hot water to fall in that area where you have ingrown hair.

2. A gentle exfoliation

The second step is very simple. We need to exfoliate and stimulate that area by removing dead skin, but without being aggressive. Do it delicately, as if you were doing a gentle massage.

You can use a glove or exfoliating creams, but you can also use a homemade scrub.

The amounts will depend on the area you want to exfoliate, where you have ingrown hair. Apply the scrub and gently massage the part of your body where you have ingrown hair.

3. Essential oils for ingrown hair

After the hot bath and exfoliation, dry the skin well and apply with the help of a cotton swab, one of the following essential oils:

1. Witch hazel essential oil

• Witch hazel oil is a great ally to reduce skin inflammations, as some research has already pointed out.
• It is a good astringent, rich in tannins and stimulates blood circulation.

You just have to apply a drop in the area where you have ingrown hair and do a gentle massage with the cotton swab. Do it twice a day.

2. Tea tree essential oil

• Given its antibacterial properties, this oil can help reduce infection and dry out that inflamed pimple to allow hair to come out.
• It will help us to relieve pain and inflammation in the area.

It is very simple. You must do the same as with witch hazel. After the hot bath and properly drying the skin, you just have to apply a drop of tea tree essential oil, and massage with the cotton swab.

If you want ingrown hair to improve sooner, do it twice a day. First, you apply a hot cloth to the affected area and then moisten it with this oil.

Also read 5 essential oils and their benefits

4. How to remove ingrown hair

• Never do it with your hands.
• Use sharp, sanitized tweezers.
• Once that pimple is dry and you can clearly see the hair, carefully grasp it with the tweezers and pull it out.
• Finally, apply a little aloe vera or rosehip essential oil to the area so that it heals and dries properly, and thus avoid possible infections.

To prevent this type of problem with ingrown or ingrown hairs, it is important that you always exfoliate your skin well before and after waxing. In this way, dead skin is removed and we allow hair to grow normally.