Why Do I Keep Getting Ingrown Hairs and How Can I Stop Them?

By Sina Hartung, MMSC-BMI, Harvard Medical SchoolReviewed by Eureka Health Medical Group
Published: July 9, 2025Updated: July 9, 2025

Summary

Ingrown hairs happen when a hair bends back or grows sideways into the skin instead of breaking through it. Shaving too close, waxing, tight clothing, naturally curly hair, and clogged pores all raise the risk. The trapped hair triggers inflammation, causing a red, often painful bump that may fill with pus. Preventing them hinges on gentler hair-removal methods, proper exfoliation, and early treatment of any infection.

What exactly causes an ingrown hair to form?

An ingrown hair forms when the hair shaft fails to exit the follicle in a straight path and instead re-enters or remains trapped under the skin. The body treats the trapped hair like a foreign object, leading to inflammation.

  • Close shaving leaves sharp hair tipsRazors cut the hair at a steep angle, creating a pointed tip that can easily pierce the surrounding skin as it grows.
  • Curly or coarse hair curls back on itselfPeople of African, Mediterranean, or South Asian descent have tightly coiled hair strands that are 50–75 µm wide, making them more prone to bending back into the follicular opening.
  • Dead skin blocks the follicle openingA buildup of keratin and debris can seal the pore; once sealed, a growing hair has nowhere to go but sideways.
  • Tight clothing increases frictionElastic waistbands and compression leggings raise skin temperature by roughly 2 °C and force hair shafts to bend, predisposing the area to inward growth.
  • Quote from the team at Eureka Health"Most patients we see develop ingrown hairs after switching to daily shaving without changing blades often enough," notes the team at Eureka Health.
  • Elevated sex hormones can spur ingrown hairsWebMD notes that higher levels of certain androgens accelerate hair growth, making new strands more likely to curve back into the follicle and become trapped. (WebMD)
  • Waxing or tweezing removes hair below the surfaceAccording to the Mayo Clinic, hairs that are pulled out with wax or tweezers often regrow beneath the skin’s surface and may curve inward, creating an ingrown bump. (Mayo Clinic)

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When is an ingrown hair a medical concern rather than a nuisance?

Most ingrown hairs resolve on their own, but certain warning signs suggest infection or scarring that warrant prompt care.

  • Rapidly expanding redness wider than 2 cmCellulitis can spread quickly; seek care if redness grows beyond the immediate bump within 24 hours.
  • Pus with foul odor or streakingYellow-green drainage plus red streaks toward lymph nodes suggests a deeper bacterial infection.
  • Persistent pain lasting over 7 daysOngoing tenderness may indicate an abscess forming under the skin that could need drainage.
  • Keloid or hyperpigmented scarringPeople with skin phototypes IV–VI develop raised, dark scars in up to 15 % of chronic ingrown hairs.
  • Quote from Sina Hartung, MMSC-BMI"If the bump feels firm and doesn’t improve after warm compresses, you should see a clinician before scarring sets in," advises Sina Hartung, MMSC-BMI.
  • Fever or body aches signal a spreading infectionWebMD cautions that you should see a doctor if an ingrown hair is accompanied by fever or a general feeling of illness, as these systemic symptoms point to infection beyond the skin. (WebMD)
  • Lack of healing after two weeks warrants evaluationBecause most ingrown hairs resolve within 1–2 weeks, Cleveland Clinic recommends medical review when a bump persists beyond that typical window. (CCF)

References

Why do certain people get ingrown hairs more often than others?

Genetics, hormones, and lifestyle all influence risk. Understanding your personal triggers makes prevention easier.

  • Genetic hair curvature plays a major roleA study of 500 men showed those with a hair curvature angle above 45° had triple the ingrown hair rate.
  • High testosterone thickens shaft diameterThicker hair is stiffer; it punctures skin more easily during regrowth, especially on the beard area after puberty.
  • Frequent waxing disrupts follicle alignmentRemoving the entire hair repeatedly can distort the follicular canal, making future hairs emerge at an angle.
  • Dry skin causes scaling that traps hairsSebum production falls 12 % every decade after age 30, increasing surface dryness unless moisturized.
  • Quote from the team at Eureka Health"Addressing underlying dryness with non-comedogenic moisturizers can cut ingrown episodes in half," states the team at Eureka Health.
  • Coarse, tightly curled hair drives higher rates in some ethnic groupsMedicineNet notes that African-American men have “the highest rate” of ingrown hairs in the beard region because their naturally tight curls are more likely to bend back into the skin. (MedNet)
  • Close, multi-blade shaving increases risk by creating sharper stubbleMayo Clinic warns that pulling the skin tight or using multi-blade razors leaves a pointed hair tip that can easily re-penetrate the follicle, setting the stage for ingrowns. (Mayo)

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Which home steps actually work to treat and prevent ingrown hairs?

Consistent, gentle skin care is the backbone of prevention and early treatment.

  • Switch to a single-blade safety razor or electric trimmerThese devices cut hairs at skin level, reducing the sharp edge that drives re-entry.
  • Exfoliate with 0.5 % salicylic acid pads 2–3 times weeklySalicylic acid penetrates oily follicles and removes keratin plugs; a small trial showed a 60 % reduction in bumps within 4 weeks.
  • Apply warm compresses for 10 minutes, twice dailyHeat softens skin and dilates pores, encouraging the trapped hair to surface.
  • Use a clean needle only if the loop of hair is visibleSterilize the tip with alcohol, gently lift the hair, and stop if resistance is felt to avoid scarring.
  • Quote from Sina Hartung, MMSC-BMI"Don’t dig for a hair you can’t see—this turns a simple irritation into a real wound," warns Sina Hartung, MMSC-BMI.
  • Pause shaving or waxing until bumps calm downBoth Mayo Clinic and Medical News Today recommend stopping all hair-removal for several days; this break lets the trapped hair emerge and prevents fresh irritation. (MNT)
  • Shave in the direction of hair growth and rinse the blade after every strokeMayo Clinic notes that using a sharp single-blade razor with plenty of shaving gel, keeping the skin relaxed, and shaving with—not against—the grain reduces the likelihood of hairs corkscrewing back into the follicle. (Mayo)

References

What tests or prescriptions might a clinician order for stubborn ingrown hairs?

Lab work is uncommon but can uncover contributing issues, while medications tame inflammation or infection.

  • Culture and sensitivity for recurrent pustulesSwabbing persistent bumps isolates bacteria like MRSA, guiding targeted antibiotics if needed.
  • Hormone panel when beard bumps worsen suddenlyElevated DHT or testosterone can thicken facial hair; treating hormonal imbalance may reduce new lesions.
  • Topical retinoids thin the stratum corneumBy increasing cell turnover, retinoids like tretinoin decrease follicular plugging within 8–12 weeks.
  • Short courses of oral antibiotics for folliculitisFive-day regimens of doxycycline or cephalexin clear surrounding infection but are reserved for moderate to severe cases.
  • Quote from the team at Eureka Health"We often start with a topical regimen and only escalate to oral therapy if cultures show resistant bacteria," reports the team at Eureka Health.
  • Topical antibiotics curb mild folliculitisTwice-daily clindamycin or mupirocin ointment is first-line for limited lesions, reducing bacterial load without needing oral drugs. (Merck)
  • Short bursts of topical steroids ease inflammationDermatologists often add a low-potency corticosteroid cream for 3–5 days when bumps are red and itchy, calming the reaction while other therapies work. (FRD)

References

How can Eureka’s AI doctor guide you when ingrown hairs flare up?

Eureka’s AI gathers your symptoms, photos, and history in minutes and matches them with evidence-based care pathways, then flags any red-flag patterns for human review.

  • Instant triage identifies infection riskThe AI grades bump severity and advises whether home care or an in-person visit is safer.
  • Personalized shaving and skincare planUsers receive a step-by-step routine adapted to skin type, hair texture, and past treatment responses.
  • Secure image analysisUploading a smartphone photo lets the AI track redness diameter over time and alerts you if it exceeds safe thresholds.
  • Quote from Sina Hartung, MMSC-BMI"Early pattern recognition by our algorithm prevents small bumps from turning into large abscesses," explains Sina Hartung, MMSC-BMI.

Why users with recurring ingrown hairs rate Eureka 4.7/5 for guidance

Beyond tips, Eureka can request labs or prescriptions that a physician on our team reviews within hours, giving users faster relief without waiting weeks for a dermatology slot.

  • On-demand prescription requestsIf the AI suggests a topical antibiotic, a licensed doctor reviews and, when appropriate, sends the prescription to your preferred pharmacy—often the same day.
  • Treatment tracking prevents repeat flaresThe app reminds you when to change razor blades, exfoliate, or apply medicated creams, reducing recurrence by 43 % in beta testers.
  • Private and HIPAA-compliantAll images and chat logs are encrypted; only you and the reviewing clinician can see them.
  • Women’s health users report high satisfactionAcross 1,200 ratings, women managing bikini-line ingrowns gave the app 4.7 out of 5 stars for clarity and empathy.
  • Quote from the team at Eureka Health"Our goal is not to sell products but to give timely, evidence-based care that respects patients’ privacy," the team at Eureka Health emphasizes.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do ingrown hairs mean I’m unhygienic?

No. They are mostly related to hair texture and shaving habits, not cleanliness.

Can I pop an ingrown hair like a pimple?

Squeezing forces bacteria deeper and risks scarring; use warm compresses instead.

Is laser hair removal a permanent fix?

Laser reduces hair density by 70–90 % after several sessions, dramatically lowering ingrown risk, but occasional maintenance sessions may be needed.

What blade change schedule is ideal?

Swap disposable razors every 5–7 shaves to keep edges sharp and reduce tugging.

Can I use glycolic acid instead of salicylic acid?

Yes, 8–10 % glycolic acid lotions also exfoliate, but they work on the skin surface rather than inside the pore.

Why do bumps itch before they hurt?

Histamine released during early inflammation causes itch, followed by pain as pressure builds.

Are ingrown hairs contagious?

The hair itself isn’t, but if the bump becomes infected with bacteria like MRSA, that infection can spread through shared razors.

Does tanning help hide scars from old ingrowns?

Tanning darkens surrounding skin temporarily but doesn’t lighten scars; sun exposure can actually make hyperpigmentation worse.

Should I stop exercising to avoid thigh ingrowns?

No, but wear moisture-wicking shorts and shower promptly to reduce friction and bacterial load.

This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for diagnosis, treatment, and personalized medical recommendations.

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