Do I Have Ingrown Hairs?

Do you remove unwanted hair by shaving, tweezers or waxing?

Do you have small, solid, rounded bumps on your skin has been shaved recently?

Do you have individual tan or red bumps on your skin?

Do you have small, pus-filled, blister-like lesions?

Can you see the hair in the middle of the bump?

Do you have itching and tenderness?

Do you have pain in the affected part of your skin?

Do you have a thick, curly hair?

Based on your answers it is unlikely that you have ingrown hairs. An ingrown hair is a condition in which the hair strands grow downward instead of upward. In that way, the hair is trapped under the skin, it behaves like a foreign body and can cause an inflammation. Ingrown hairs can be very painful, but they are usually not dangerous. In men, they most often occur in the area of the chin, including the cheeks, and on the neck. Ingrown hairs are also common in the armpits, pubic area and legs. Ingrown hairs can occur only occasionally but can also be an ongoing condition.

Based on your answers there is a possibility that you have ingrown hairs. An ingrown hair is a hair that has grown into the skin instead of going up from it. Sometimes the hair follicle can become clogged, so that the hair cannot grow up and out of the skin, but changes direction and grows sideways under the skin, resulting in an ingrown hair. People with curly hair are prone to ingrown hairs. When naturally curly hair is cut short, the sharpened ends of the hair can easily pierce the skin and grow back into it. Diagnosing is based on a skin examination and your hair removal habits.

Based on your answers there is a high possibility that you have ingrown hairs. Ingrown hairs occur when a hair grows into the skin. They usually appear after hair removal by shaving, tweezers or waxing. Ingrown hairs cause inflammation of the skin, which is characterized by small red bumps, sometimes filled with pus. Occasionally, a cyst may form at the site of inflammation. This type of cyst is called an epidermoid cyst or pilonidal cyst. Treatment includes stopping hair removal in the usual way for several months, skin cleansers, creams or medications to reduce inflammation or possible infection. Laser treatment can help you safely remove unwanted hair.