How to Remove Ingrown Hair From Your Underarms

Ingrown hairs can be an unsightly and painful problem, but resist the urge to pick at them at all costs. Doing so would only result in a bigger, redder bump and possible scarring. If you’ve been wondering how to remove ingrown hair safely and effectively, this guide is for you.

An ingrown hair occurs when hair that’s been shaved or tweezed grows back into the skin, resulting in irritation. It usually manifests a single, pus-filled bump with visible hair trapped under a thin, sometimes transparent film of skin.

Because not all bumps that appear on your underarms are ingrown hairs, you’ll need to proceed with caution. Some can be folliculitis, which is the inflammation of hair follicles, usually appearing in clusters, triggered by a bacterial infection. They can also be skin tags or a rash from sweating or deodorant use.

If any part of your underarm is bleeding or in chronic pain, do not attempt self-treatment. See a doctor as soon as possible. Otherwise, proceed to the next step.

Hair removal procedures, such as waxing, shaving, and plucking of underarm hair, are the usual culprits behind ingrown hairs. It’s best to put a pause on these practices until your skin is free of any kind of irritation. If you keep shaving, you may risk pushing the hair deeper into the skin or rupturing the affected area. Besides, growing out your armpit hair has its benefits!

Once your skin heals and you choose to shave again, keep the following in mind:

• Cleanse the area and prep it with warm water or shaving cream to soften the hair.
•  Keep your razor in a cool, dry place to prevent contamination.
• Replace disposable razors after five to seven shaves.
• Shave in the direction of hair growth – never against the grain.

In the shower, cleanse your underarms with soap and warm water. Next, exfoliate the area with a wet washcloth using small, circular motions. Do not use body scrubs, as they often contain rough particles that can break your skin. After cleansing, apply a hot compress for a few minutes. This softens the skin and helps release the ingrown hair trapped underneath. Resist scratching the area even when it itches badly and avoid irritating products.

In the meantime, use gentle deodorants like Dove Radiant + Care Deo Serum made with 3% Niacinamide and 10x Collagen. It acts like skin care, renewing the delicate underarm area to reveal radiant and nourished skin. Dove 0% Aluminum Deodorant Roll-On is also a good option for extra sensitive skin. It has no aluminum, parabens, baking soda, phthalates, or alcohol – ingredients that can be harsh on the skin. It delivers 24 hours of natural freshness, protecting you against odor.

Mastering how to remove ingrown hair is an exercise in patience and self-control. It’s more about knowing when it’s ready to go than forcing it out of its fleshy cocoon. Never try to lift the trapped hair with tweezers because this will only lead to infection. Instead, let the irritation run its course, which usually takes one to two weeks. The hair will eventually work its way out on its own. When it finally emerges, you can use a sterilized tweezer to pull the rest of the ingrown portion from the skin – but do not pluck it out. Leave it alone until it heals completely.

If your ingrown hair doesn’t come out in two weeks or if the irritation gets worse, visit your doctor. They may give you an ingrown hair treatment to reduce the inflammation and speed up healing or perform an in-office hair removal procedure.

Now that you know how to remove ingrown hair safely, you can minimize its impact and avoid infecting and scarring your underarms. Try the steps above the next time one pops up on your pits!