A pimple that is formed as a result of the hair growing back into the skin and getting trapped under it, as a result of waxing, shaving or tweezing, is referred to as an ingrown pimple. In such a situation, the shaft of the hair, curls inside the skin, resulting in skin irritation leading to inflammation and formation of a pimples.
Usually, ingrown pimples are frequently observed among black skinned males in the age group of 14 to 25 years. The condition commonly affects the beard area and may develop in any person shaving too closely.
It is essential to manage ingrown pimples right away, given that; they are exceedingly painful and result in a lot of scarring.
An ingrown pimple occurs when the hair gets trapped in a follicle beneath the surface of the skin. Consequently, this results in irritation, inflammation and infection. In case you do not manage the inflammation and infection promptly, pimples and scarring occurs.
Home Remedies To Get Rid Of Ingrown Pimples
You may follow these guidelines to manage an ingrown pimple at home:
- Apply a warm compress to the pimple; this helps soften the skin and helps in draining the ingrown pimple.
Apply the compress 2 to 3 times a day. - Lift the tip of the hair on the skin using a clean pair of tweezers. Lifting the hair out is easy after you have applied a hot compress.
- Wash the affected area gently, using circular movements.
- Do not shave for about 4 weeks. Shaving usually cuts off the hair ends, resulting in a sharp hair tip which penetrates the skin as it attempts to grow out. Once the hair is long enough, it won’t grow back in to the skin.
- Exfoliation of the skin is a must; however, you need to do it gently. Exfoliating by scrubbing helps to get rid of dead skin and oils that may be a cause of the ingrown pimple.
- Tea tree essential oil is advised by most experts. Tea tree oil is a highly medicinal oil which prevents infection. It will also help the pimple to subside quickly. Apply a drop of neat tea tree essential oil to the affected area about 5 times a day; it will yield excellent results. Tea tree oil prevents further bacterial and fungal infection from happening and helps eliminate the pus quickly. More importantly, it prevents scarring and darkening of the affected area. You may also use face washes and cleansers that contain tea tree oil in them.
- Another effective home remedy for pimples is turmeric. Mix 1 teaspoon of powdered turmeric with some honey and apply over the pimple; leave it overnight. Turmeric is loaded with a compound called curcumin that helps alleviate inflammation rapidly and accelerates the process of healing. Honey is soothing and prevents the development of scars.
- Make sure you drink 12 glasses of water per day. Also, step up your intake of fresh fruits such as apples, limes, guavas, and watermelons; these are skin foods and will assist quick healing. Experts also recommend herbal teas–ginger, sage, mint, basil, etc.
- Consult a dermatologist if the condition is severe, chronic or fails to respond to home remedies. In occasional cases, vitamin supplements need to be started to expedite the process of healing.
- Make sure you follow a regular skin care routine of scrubbing once a week, cleansing daily and moisturizing well.
