15 Gentle Ways to Get Rid of Ingrown Hair at Home

ingrown hairs on skin

The itching and burning of an ingrown hair are bad enough, but when it gets out of control and becomes full-blown, unsightly, painful pimple, it is becoming an obsession to get rid of it. You can get rid of ingrown hair before things get that far. We have 15 gentle ways for how to get rid of ingrown hairs in your home and using common ingredients which you probably already have.

Please, not that these home remedies can help, but they are not all inclusive. In severe cases where infection has gotten out of hand and spread, you may need to consult a health care professional for additional treatment and treatment options.

15 Gentle Ways to Get Rid of Ingrown Hair at Home

1. Aloe Vera

When it comes to remedies to help get rid of ingrown hair, aloe vera is one to top the list. Both soothing and cooling, aloe vera also contains an antihistamine and anti-inflammatory properties to help get rid of the cause and speed up the healing process.

What to do:

  • Cut an aloe vera shoot lengthwise along the narrow edge and extract the gel.
  • Rub the gel onto the affected area and allow it to dry for 20 to 30 minutes.
  • Rinse with warm water.
  • Repeat 2 to 3 times a day for a few days.

aloe leaves stacked

2. Honey

Honey is one of the extraordinary remedies to help get rid of ingrown hair. There are antibacterial properties in honey which will help prevent infection. Also, honey helps soothe the itch and burn by reducing inflammation and moisturizing the skin.

What to do:

  • Spread a layer of honey over the affected area.
  • Allow it to dry for 10 to 15minutes.
  • Rinse it off using cold
  • Repeat this remedy 3 to 4 times a day as needed.

3. Cucumber

Cucumber is a common household item which proves to be an excellent way to get rid of ingrown hair. The antioxidant properties of the vitamin C in cucumbers helps to relieve burning and itching as well as hydrating your skin and getting rid of inflammation around the affected area.

What to do:

  • Slice fresh cucumber and chill the slices in the refrigerator for 30 minutes or so.
  • Rub the chilled cucumber slices on the affected skin.
  • Repeat this several times a day as needed. Do this several times daily for several days.
  • Make a puree of half a cucumber.

4. Apple Cider Vinegar

Also included among our remedies of how to get rid of ingrown hairs is apple cider vinegar. The anti-inflammatory properties of apple cider vinegar will help to soothe your skin. It also creates a hostile environment for the growth of yeast and bacteria which cause infection.

What to do:

  • Apply apple cider vinegar on the affected area using a clean cotton ball.
  • Let it soak in for 5 to 10 minutes.
  • Rinse the area with warm water.
  • Repeat this a couple of times a day.

5. Salt

Salt is a pretty simple and readily available item to get rid of ingrown hair. As some may know, salt works as an astringent while, at the same time, increasing circulation, which promotes healing and the reduction of inflammation.

What to do:

  • Mix ½ Tsp of salt in a cup of warm water.
  • Dip a clean cotton ball in the solution and gently rub it over the affected area.
  • Allow the solution to sit for several minutes and then rinse it off with warm water.
  • You can do this a couple of times a day as necessary.

6. Black Tea Bags

Black tea bags can also help to get rid of ingrown hair. The tannins in black tea are a drawing agent who will draw out inflammation and bring soothing relief to the affected area as well as help promote healing.

What to do:

  • Brew a black tea bag (you might as well drink the tea) and allow the tea bag to cool.
  • Rub the wet bag over the affected area for a few minutes.
  • Repeat this remedy as needed several times daily.

7. Tea Tree Oil

Another means to get rid of ingrown hair, especially an infected ingrown hair, is using tea tree oil. There are anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and antibacterial properties all found in tea tree oil which will help heal the affected area and get rid of any infection that is present too.

What to do:

  • Add three drops of tea tree oil in 1 Tbsp of olive or coconut oil.
  • Massage the mixture into affected area for a few minutes.
  • Allow the mixture to sit for 10 minutes.
  • Rinse with warm water.
  • Repeat this remedy 2 to 3 times a day as necessary.

8. Baking Soda

Another common household item, baking soda can also help to get rid of ingrown hair. Baking soda works like salt with astringent properties, but it also tends to have a greater soothing effect from its anti-inflammatory nature which helps rid you of the itch and burn as well.

What to do:

  • Add one tsp each of baking soda and ground oatmeal to 1 Tbsp of water.
  • Create a paste which you will apply to the affected area.
  • Allow it to dry and become crusty.
  • Rinse with warm water.
  • Use this remedy several times a day as required.

9. Granulated Sugar

You can get rid of ingrown hair and an ingrown hair bump by creating a scrub using granulated sugar. By exfoliating your skin with this scrub, you won’t only make your skin silky smooth, but you will eliminate the source of the ingrown hair problem too.

What to do:

  • Mix 1 cup of granulated sugar with ½ cup of extra-virgin olive oil or coconut oil.
  • You can also stir in 10 to a dozen drops of lavender, rosemary or tea tree essential oil.
  • Apply the scrub the skin using gentle circular motions for several minutes.
  • Rinse off with warm water.
  • Use this remedy a couple of times a week to help prevent ingrown hairs.

sugar on a table spelling zucker

10. Strawberries

If you happen to have strawberries on hand, you can get rid of ingrown hair using them. Strawberries not only make use of antioxidants to help reduce inflammation and encourage healing, but the seeds from fruits also serve to exfoliate your skin.

What to do:

  • Mash a couple of medium-sized strawberries until you have created a pulp.
  • Mix in a little bit of sour cream or plain, Greek yogurt to create a paste.
  • Gently apply the mixture in a circular motion to cleanse and exfoliate.
  • Allow the mixture to sit until dry before rinsing it off with warm water.
  • Repeat this several times a week to help prevent ingrown hairs.

11. Coconut Oil

One of the best remedies in how to stop ingrown hairs can be found in the use of coconut oil. The lauric acid in coconut has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties which not only soothe but also get rid of any potential infection. The remedy couldn’t be simpler.

What to do:

  • Apply a thin layer of coconut oil to the affected area.
  • Allow it to penetrate the skin for a few minutes before rinsing off.
  • Use as often as necessary.
  • You can add a few drops of rosemary, lavender or tea tree essential oils to boost its effectiveness.

12. Calendula Oil

Calendula oil can also help to get rid of ingrown hair. The calendula flowers are known for their antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and soothing properties, in particular for burns.

What to do:

  • Mix 6 to 8 drops of calendula essential oil in a carrier oil like coconut or olive oil.
  • Gently massage the mixture into your skin and allow 5 to 10 minutes for absorption.
  • Rinse with warm water.
  • Repeat several times a day as necessary.

13. Epsom Salt

Another great scrub to assist in deep ingrown hair removal utilizes Epsom salt. Epsom salt isn’t salt, but magnesium sulfate. Magnesium sulfate has excellent inflammation and pain reducing properties to relieve and eliminate the underlying culprit of an ingrown hair.

What to do:

  • Mix 1 tsp of olive or coconut oil with 1 Tbsp of Epsom salt to create a gritty paste.
  • Add 3 or 4 drops of one of the essential oils we have mentioned.
  • Apply the scrub to the affected area in a gentle circular motion.
  • Allow it to dry for 15 to 20 minutes before rinsing off with warm water.
  • Repeat several times a week to keep ingrown hairs at bay.

14. Coffee

Another unusual and shared ingredient which can be used as a remedy to get rid of ingrown hair is coffee. Coffee works great to exfoliate the affected area, but also creates a hostile environment for the growth of infection as well as drawing out inflammation similar to the way tea does.

What to do:

  • Instead of throwing away the coffee grounds you used to brew your morning cup of Joe, mix ¼ cup of them in approximately 1 Tbsp of warm water to create a paste.
  • Massage the paste into the affected areas in a circular exfoliating motion for several minutes.
  • Allow the mixture to dry before rinsing with cool water.
  • Repeat this several times a week to prevent ingrown hair growth.

15. Frankincense Essential Oil

Another essential oil that will help to get rid of ingrown hair is frankincense. Reducing stress and anxiety is one way to prevent the cause of ingrown hairs, which is the production of too much sebum oil in the hair follicles. Frankincense not only helps get rid of that stress and anxiety but can also reduce inflammation and prevent infection.

What to do:

  • Mix 6 to 8 drops of frankincense essential oil into 1 Tbsp of coconut or olive oil.
  • Apply the mixture to the affected area and allow it to absorb for 10 to 15 minutes.
  • Rinse off with warm water.
  • Repeat several times a day as necessary.
  • You can also add frankincense to any of the remedies above where an essential oil is called for.

frankincense

Conclusion

When it comes to ingrown hairs and the potential damage they can cause to your complexion, you should be highly motivated to get rid of ingrown hair before they have a chance to hi-jack your skin. Make use of one or several of the remedies that we have suggested above and don’t allow ingrown hair to become a problem. Tell us your success stories with home remedies or add your questions in the section below.

Images from depositphotos.com and pixabay.com.