Advice needed regarding ingrown hair on face

Posted By Janeasher (Calgary, Alberta, Canada) on 02/16/2011

Hey everyone. I love this site and I'm glad we are all looking out for each other. I recently had an ingrown hair on my cheek and I picked at it (I have a serious problem controlling myself and find I am constantly picking at my face... Another issue I am dealing with. ) I put some ACV on it and have been treating it as well with some fresh Aloe Vera as well as a little bit of VCO. It's been 2 days now and its quite red and looks horrible. I'm scared I might have done some damage to my face and would love to hear some advice for what I should do as I'm feeling guilty that I caused this and I want to try and fix it. Thank you so much and god bless.
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Replied by Maeryn (Calgary, Ab) on 09/08/2011

Hey all. I have always had ingrown hairs on the backs of my thighs and on my knees. They do not usually get infected. I keep them away by using an exfoliator brush and regular soap to the area. Really helps :)

And a shoutout to the other awesome lady from Calgary too :P

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Replied by Hopelesslyconfused (Scotland) on 05/10/2012

I get the odd ingrown hair from various methods of hair removal on my legs and bikini area, I exfoliate and moisturise and they generally don't bother me. However, directly below my belly button I have a small area (about two fingers widths) that grows long dark hairs. I don't mind the fine light hair on the rest of my abdomen but this was bothering me and I started to pluck them out. The problem is they ALWAYS become ingrown. I've tried No Bumps and Ingrow Go, as well as ACV and none of these things work. The hairs were getting itchy and were very unsightly but now I have scarring from trying to remove the ingrown hairs and further ingrowing hairs - even worse!!! Does anyone have any suggestions on how to avoid the ingrown hairs and reduce the scarring? Thanks in advance.
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Replied by Jennifer (Sunrise, Fl, Usa) on 05/10/2012

I am prone to ingrown hairs too, and I've found that I absolutely cannot wax in that area or I will get ingrown hairs. I followed every instruction for aftercare and used every product that my esthetician recommended and I still got lots and lots of ingrowns everytime. Now I shave only and I have no problems. Exfoliating the area is key, it will keep the hair follicle from clogging up. You can use a glycolic acid body wash (I like Aqua Glycolic Body Cleanser, not sure of the availability outside the US) or one with AHAs.

Some people make their own No Bump/Tendskin solution using crushed uncoated aspirin (salicylic acid) and water:

1) Crush 18 tablets of uncoated aspirin
2) Dissolve these in 5. 5 oz of 70% rubbing alcohol
3) Crush 8 tablets of uncoated aspirin
4) Dissolve these in 2. 5 oz of witch hazel
5) Combine the rubbing alcohol and witch hazel solutions. Some settling of aspirin may occur, just shake it well before you use it.

Apply everyday after waxing or tweezing.

Good luck! Jennifer

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Replied by Cherie (Nashua, Nh, Usa) on 09/08/2012

As far as in grown hairs go, Nuetragina oil free acne wash (it's an orange liquid soap in a pump bottle) is a great help, that and maybe any soap that has salacidic acis=d in it (i know I spelled that wrong sorry).
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