Ingrown hairs are a tough, often painful, cosmetic adversary. They occur when hairs have curled around and grown back into the skin instead of rising up from it, causing inflammation and irritation.
According to the Mayo Clinic, ingrown hairs most commonly appear in males in the beard area, including the chin and cheeks and, especially, the neck. In women, the most common areas are the armpits, pubic area and legs.
Signs and symptoms include:
- Small, solid, rounded bumps (papules)
- Small, pus-filled, blister-like lesions (pustules)
- Skin darkening (hyperpigmentation)
- Pain
- Itching
- Embedded hairs
While an occasional ingrown hair is common, you should consider seeing a physician if the condition is frequent or if the area is very painful. Chronic ingrown hairs can result in infection from bacteria, skin darkening and permanent scarring.
Prevention has created an informative slideshow on how to prevent the condition. But if ingrown hairs are already a problem for you, the American Society of Dermatologic Surgery says laser hair removal can successfully treat inflamed and bumpy skin.