Ingrown Hair Scars can be a result of ingrown hairs, razor bumps or acne. The best way to treat these types of scars is with laser resurfacing, skin peels and microdermabrasion. Laser resurfacing is the most effective method. There are 3 types: ablative laser, non-ablative laser and fractional laser. Ablative lasers remove layers of skin and promote new skin growth. The recovery time is 2-3 weeks and multiple sessions are needed. Non-ablative lasers heat the tissue under the skin to promote collagen production without damaging the outer layer of skin. Fractional lasers are a combination of both ablative and non-ablative lasers but require less recovery time.
Skin peels work by removing the top layer(s) of damaged skin to stimulate healthy new cell growth in its place. Recover time for mild peels is about 5 days and for more intense peels it can take up to 2 weeks for the redness to fade away.
Microdermabrasion is a cosmetic treatment that uses an abrasive instrument to “sand” down scar tissue and remove dead cells from the top layer of your skin to improve texture and appearance of scars.
Ingrown hair scars are marks left on the skin after an ingrown hair has been removed. They often disappear over time, but some may remain permanently.
Ingrown hairs are hairs that have curled around and grown back into the skin instead of rising up from it. They can cause inflammation, pain, and tiny bumps in the area where they grow.
When the hair is removed, especially through tweezing or waxing, there is a chance that scarring may occur.
In this article, we look at how to prevent ingrown hair scars from forming and how to treat them if they do occur. We also describe how to get rid of ingrown hairs themselves and why they form in the first place.
A rare complication of ingrown hairs is permanent scarring. If the hair follicle becomes deeply inflamed and the inflammation disrupts the deep layer of the skin (dermis), scarring can result.
Permanent scars can range from small, pitted marks to large, raised keloid scars.
Deep inflammation may be more likely to occur with:
severely inflamed ingrown hairs
repeated or frequent episodes of ingrown hairs
a family history of keloids
To treat an ingrown hair cyst that has become infected, you can try the following home remedies:
Apply a warm compress. Apply a warm compress to the area. The warmth will help draw the pus to the surface.
Wash with mild soap. Wash the area with a mild soap and water. Excess oil and dirt can cause infections.
Use benzoyl peroxide or tea tree oil. Benzoyl peroxidewater
Ingrown hair can be unsightly, but it also can result in skin damage. If you have an ingrown hair that has caused a scar, your body may be able to heal the affected area with time. However, there are some steps you can take to speed up the healing process and prevent future scars.*
Although there are no foolproof methods to completely prevent ingrown hairs, there are some steps you can take to reduce your risk. Try these tips:
Shave in the direction of hair growth. Shaving against the grain increases your risk of ingrown hairs.
Exfoliate. Gently washing the skin with warm water and a mild exfoliant can free trapped hairs and help prevent them from becoming ingrown.
Stop shaving. If you’re experiencing frequent episodes of ingrown hairs, consider other hair removal methods, such as waxing or using chemical depilatories.
Use a clean razor. A dull blade will tug at the hair and increase the likelihood that it will become ingrown. Change the blade after five to seven shaves to minimize irritation.
How do You Get Rid of Ingrown Hair Scars?
There are different methods that you can use to get rid of ingrown hair scars. Most of the time, these scars will disappear on their own but some might need help from professional dermatologists. Prescription creams and chemical peels are usually recommended by doctors.
There are three main methods that you can use to get rid of ingrown hair scarring:
Laser treatment, which is probably the most effective method for getting rid of scarring but it is also the most expensive. You’ll have to make several visits to your dermatologist in order to complete this treatment, and the price will likely be in the thousands.
Microdermabrasion, which is a more affordable option than laser treatment but not as effective. Microdermabrasion will not completely remove scarring, but it will reduce its appearance significantly.
Chemical peels, which are applied directly to your skin and work by removing the top layer of dead cells. This method can be very effective but you’ll need to make several visits before you start seeing results. The good news is that chemical peels aren’t as expensive as laser treatments or microdermabrasion
I have ingrown hair scars on my face. What’s the best way to get rid of them?
The most common treatments for ingrown hair scars are:
laser resurfacing – this procedure uses a laser to remove the outer layer of skin and promote collagen production in the underlying layers
microneedling – also known as collagen induction therapy, this treatment involves using fine needles to cause tiny injuries to the skin, triggering healing responses and promoting new collagen growth
chemical peels – these involve applying a chemical solution to the outer part of your skin, which causes it to peel off. They can help treat shallow acne scars but are less effective on deeper ones
dermabrasion – this procedure uses a rotating brush or special tool to remove the top layers of skin. It may be used for patients who don’t respond well to chemical peels or laser resurfacing
Ingrown hair scars are raised areas on the skin, where the tissue has contracted and become thicker. They can be red or brown in colour.
Some people get ingrown hairs from shaving that don’t go away, or they can appear later in life.
These can be prevented by using a cream called exfoliant. This will keep your skin clear of any dead skin cells that could clog up your follicles and cause them to grow inwards instead of outwards.
It is important not to scratch at them as this will irritate the skin further and make it even more likely that an ingrown hair will develop.
For any type of scar, it is important to keep the area clean and free from irritants. Do not pick at scars. For redness, use a silicone gel or silicone gel sheets over the scar. Silicone has been shown to help flatten scars and improve their appearance. For acne scars, many dermatologists use fractional laser treatments to remodel the skin and help with the appearance of scars.
For ingrown hairs that result in dark spots, I suggest using hydroquinone or prescription strength bleaching cream to lighten the pigment in the skin. You can also try using a retinol or tretinoin cream at night to exfoliate away the top layer of skin where hyperpigmentation is trapped.
- Use a warm compress
Use a warm compress to soften your skin and open the hair follicle. This will help the ingrown hair come out of your skin more easily.
Soak a washcloth in warm water, then apply it to the affected skin for 5 minutes. Repeat several times daily until the hair is gone.
- Exfoliate with a loofah or brush
Exfoliation removes dead skin cells that may block the hair from breaking through the surface of your skin. Once exfoliated, it’s easier for the ingrown hair to come out of your skin and heal on its own.
Gently brush the affected area using circular motions 2–3 times a day, before showering and after exfoliating in the shower.
Ideally, you should use a stiff-bristled brush or loofah to slough away dead skin cells and unplug pores. You can also use an exfoliating scrub designed for sensitive areas like your face or neck.
I would recommend a combination of microdermabrasion, salicylic acid peels, and silicone gel sheeting. These can be done in the office by a trained professional or you can do them at home.
Microdermabrasion is a non-invasive skin resurfacing treatment that gently exfoliates the top layer of skin to smooth out the texture.
A salicylic acid peel is an exfoliating treatment that helps to reduce sebum production and promotes the shedding of dead skin cells.
Silicone gel sheeting is a form of scar management that involves applying a thin silicone sheet to the surface of your skin to protect it from external irritants while you sleep and encourage it to heal.
How do You Get Rid of Dark Spots From ingrown Hair Scars?
I have a lot of ingrown hair scars on my thighs. A few years ago I started using Retin-A to get rid of them, but I didn’t really see any results.
Recently, I noticed that there are dark spots around a few of the scars that seem to be getting bigger. Does anyone know how to remedy this?
Also, any good tips on how to actually get rid of the scars would be greatly appreciated!
These are known as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH). These marks are most likely what you’re seeing. Laser hair removal can cause darkening of the skin which is especially noticeable in people with a darker skin type.
In general, PIH will fade on its own without any treatment. However, it can take anywhere from months to years for the marks to fade and resolve completely on their own. The color can also return after sun exposure, so it is important to wear sunscreen every day to protect the skin from further damage.
It is also possible that you may have melasma, which is a form of hyperpigmentation that comes about from hormone changes such as pregnancy or birth control pills. If this is indeed what you have, a dermatologist can prescribe you a bleaching cream to help lighten the area
I’m a scientist (I have my Master’s in biology) and the owner of a skincare company called Nava Skin. I can answer this question with confidence, as I know quite a bit about the science of skin care and skin health.
Your body produces melanin to protect itself from UV rays. But too much melanin means you get dark spots! The best way to get rid of these spots is to use products that contain high doses of Vitamin C and Vitamin A, which are scientifically proven lightening agents. For example, L-Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) is an anti-oxidant that reduces hyperpigmentation by inhibiting melanin production. Retinol (Vitamin A) works by exfoliating your skin, which helps reduce dark spots caused by ingrown hairs. Both vitamins are effective at reducing the appearance of scars so that they’re less noticeable over time.
In short, you can’t. There are no topical treatments that do a great job of fading dark spots left behind by ingrown hairs. If you want them to fade faster, you should take precautions to avoid getting them in the first place.
Ingrown hairs occur when a hair is shaved or waxed off at the skin’s surface and then grows back into the skin instead of away from it. The result is an inflamed red bump that’s just under the skin. It can be tender and painful. Sometimes they’ll come out on their own, but sometimes they have to be manually extracted with a needle or tweezers.
If you have curly hair or are prone to ingrown hairs, there are some steps you can take to minimize their appearance:
Shave in the direction of hair growth and exfoliate with a gentle scrub before shaving (regular body scrubs will do). This helps lift trapped hairs out of the surface of the skin so they don’t become ingrown
Use a moisturizing shaving cream like Conditioning Shave Cream instead of bar soap (which dries out your skin) or goatee-style shaving oil for men
Get regular facials that include extractions (make sure your esthetician is trained in this)
Laser resurfacing is the gold standard to get rid of dark spots. It gives you more even skin tone and texture. There are many different types of lasers. Your dermatologist will discuss which one is best for you.
Other options include microdermabrasion, chemical peels, or lightening creams.
I recommend that you start with these options before considering laser treatment. They are less expensive and less risky than laser resurfacing.
It’s important to remember that your skin may or may not look perfect after treatment. You need to be realistic about what you want to achieve, and work with your dermatologist to get there
Ingrown hairs occur when the hair is growing out of the follicle but curls back into the skin instead of growing out. This can happen for a variety of reasons, including dry skin, dirt, too much moisturizer or gel, dead skin buildup around the hair follicle and/or shaving too close to the skin.
An ingrown hair may be as simple as a small red bump on your skin; in some cases it can become infected, causing pain, swelling and pus. If the infection persists beyond several days or is particularly painful or swollen, you may want to seek medical attention.
Although there are no guaranteed ways to get rid of an ingrown hair completely (since they’re often caused by shaving), there are several things you can do to alleviate the symptoms and keep them from getting worse.
if you have sensitive/acne prone skin, i highly recommend using the skinceuticals retinol. it’s a very high quality product, and isn’t irritating like other retinols can be. the skinceuticals 1.0 is strong enough to treat acne scars, but can also be used on all skin types, including sensitive skin – which is why i love it so much.
just remember that retinol should not be used while pregnant/breastfeeding! i also suggest using it only at night and to follow up with an spf in the morning.