Ingrown hairs can happen to anyone who does hair removal such as waxing, shaving, or tweezing. While you may not be bothered by ingrown hair on your chin or leg, ingrown pubic hair can be more bothersome, especially if it’s causing pain or itching in this delicate area.
The labia, which consists of both the outer and inner labia, is the portion of the vulva. The place where hair grows is the outer labia. If you remove hair from that area regularly, ingrown hair could occur. What should you do in the event of ingrown hair? What can you do to get rid of it? How can you prevent the ingrown hairs from becoming infected and itching? We spoke to doctors about how to treat ingrown hair on your labia.
What’s an ingrown hair on the labia?
Ingrown hairs on the labia are caused by the “free edge” of the hair growing back into the skin. Some ingrown hairs may not be visible. Visible ingrown hairs will appear curled or curled underneath the skin. This could lead to:
- Inflammation
- Pain
- Darkened skin (hyperpigmentation)
- Itchiness
- A bump on the skin, also known as a pustule or papule. It is usually filled with pus.
- Tenderness
- Redness
- Infection in this area
- Scarring, especially if itches or picks at the area
How can I tell if ingrown hair is an STI/STD?
Ingrown hairs are usually seen as red bumps that are isolated and raised. However, STIs like genital herpes can appear clustered and blister-like. These will be raised higher than ingrown hairs and will release yellow pus if ruptured. If infected, ruptured, ingrown hairs will usually release white pus.
If you experience extreme itchiness, and flu-like symptoms (achiness, fever and headache), then it is more likely that you have an STI. Seek immediate medical attention to confirm and get treatment.
Why would an ingrown labia hair occur?
ingrown labia hairs are usually caused by tweezing or shaving the area. This causes the hair to grow back into your skin. The body reacts as if there is anything stuck in the skin once the hair has grown this way. It can cause redness, swelling, pain, infection, or other symptoms (see above).
What to do if your ingrown hairs appear on your labia?
There are many things you can do to get rid of ingrown hair from your labia. Dr Shepherd suggests the following home remedies.
- Use warm compresses to open the hair follicles and allow the hair to fall out.
- Take a break from waxing, shaving, or tweezing the hairs in the vulvar region. You should not attempt to remove the hair from the area until it is completely healed.
- A cortisone cream, which can be purchased over the counter, can help reduce inflammation and soothe the affected area. Light exfoliation is a good option to get rid of dead skin.
Dr Zeichner says, “If there is an ingrown hair, you can remove it with an alcohol swab.
Dr Zeichner advises against plucking hair with tweezers as the hair can grow back and become ingrown again. Dr Zeichner suggests applying an over-the-counter antibiotic bacitracin cream to the affected area to prevent mild infection. It could be infected if the area becomes oozing red. Consult a healthcare provider if you feel severe pain or tenderness.
What can you do to avoid ingrown hairs on your labia?
Make sure to wash your vulva thoroughly with soap before you begin any shaving, waxing or tweezing. This will prevent ingrown hairs from forming on your labia. To help moisturize the area, use a fragrance-free soap and a gel or shaving cream (also without perfumes). To ensure you aren’t allergic to a new product before using it, make sure that you patch-test it on your skin.
Rethink your tool if you keep getting ingrown hairs. You might want to replace your razor with one that only has one blade. This will make it less likely that the hair is pulled out in a way that causes it to become ingrown. If your blade is worn, you should replace it. Gillette recommends you replace your razor every 1 to 2 weeks if you shave regularly.
You may experience ingrown hairs when you shave with a razor. If this happens, consider a different method of hair removals such as waxing or laser hair removal. This prevents your hair from growing back and helps to prevent future ingrown hairs. You can also let your natural hair growth.
What can you do if an ingrown hair is still growing on your labia?
Dr Zeichner states that if the spot does not improve on its own, you should visit a dermatologist or healthcare provider for professional assistance. If you experience painful or frequent ingrown hairs, it is a good idea to visit a dermatologist.
What’s the bottom line? Don’t panic if you find ingrown hair. There are many options to prevent and treat ingrown hairs.