Ingrown hairs occur when a hair curls and grows back into the skin, instead of growing outward. This can happen when the hair follicle becomes clogged with dead skin cells, dirt, or oil, or when the hair is cut too short and becomes trapped under the skin.

The body’s immune system recognizes the ingrown hair as a foreign object and responds by causing inflammation, which can lead to redness, pain, and sometimes infection. Ingrown hairs are most common in areas where hair is frequently shaved or waxed, such as the face, legs, armpits, and bikini area.

People with curly or coarse hair are more prone to developing ingrown hairs because the hair is more likely to curl back into the skin. Additionally, tight clothing or anything that puts pressure on the skin can increase the likelihood of ingrown hairs. To reduce the risk of ingrown hairs, it is important to exfoliate regularly.

Regenerate response