Ingrown Hair

An ingrown hair occurs when a hair curls back or grows sideways into the skin, producing a pimple-like bump, redness, itching and sometimes infection. It commonly affects people with coarse or curly hair and appears after shaving, waxing or other epilation.

Prevention & treatment

• Exfoliate regularly to prevent dead-skin buildup.
• Avoid shaving too closely; consider trimming or laser/electrolysis for chronic issues.
• Treat mild bumps with warm compresses, gentle exfoliation, topical salicylic or glycolic acid, or benzoyl peroxide; avoid squeezing or inserting needles at home to prevent infection.

Writing tips

• Use ingrown hairs as small physical details that suggest self-care, irritation, or carelessness; a chronically irritated patch can be a telling trait for a character.