Ingrown Hair on Pubic

Sensitive parts of the body are known for suffering the worst of skin irritations – like razor bumps and ingrown hairs. The pubic region is no stranger to the nicks and cuts of shaving; coarse hairs that grow sideways; and curly strands that penetrate the skin the longer they grow. Anything that causes the tip of a hair to become pointy has the potential of causing ingrown hairs. Overall, becoming familiar with all possibilities is a must if you want to gain the upper hand against this widespread occurrence.

Appearance

If you look closely when examining irritation on the skin, you may notice a hair at the source of your troubles. When this is the case, you are most likely battling a case of ingrown hairs, which develop when hairs curl back into the skin or grow at a sideways angle when emerging from the follicle. Localized inflammation is one of the first signs to appear – followed by redness, itchy skin, tingling sensations, and a possible rash [1]. A small bump may form on top of the ingrown hair. If it becomes infected, pus will gather under the surface of the skin. This is called a pustule. In chronic cases of ingrown hairs, scar tissue may develop when a pustule erupts and scabs over.

Causes

Just when you thought razor blades and shavers were the sole cause of ingrown hairs, you find the following list of common culprits, which range from the kind of clothes you wear to keeping up with the latest trends:

a) Excessive Waxing:

If you continue to wax the pubic region in order to remove unwanted hairs, you will not only irritate the skin, but increase your chances of suffering ingrown hairs.

b) Yeast Infection:

Ingrown hairs have been known to arise when a shaver is suffering a yeast infection. Other forms of bacteria also increase the risk of developing hairs that curl back or deviate from their normal growth pattern.

c) Methods of Hair Removal:

Since the skin is sensitive in this region, it is suggested to choose hair removal methods that cause the least amount of irritation to hair follicles. Disrupt this part of the hair growth process and you increase your chances of suffering ingrown hairs.

d) Pubic Hair Modification [2]:

Interested in a Brazilian bikini wax or wish to execute the lengthy vertical rectangle found in the center of the pubic region called a ‘landing strip?’ Pubic hair modification can cause ingrown hairs because this kind of hair removal usually causes a great deal of stress to the skin and hair follicles.

e) Accumulation of Dead Skin Particles:

When dead skin cells are allowed to collect in the pores, the chances of suffering ingrown hairs in the pubic region increases. Bacteria, dirt, oil, and sweat also affect irritated skin.

f) A Rush Job:

Quickly shaving or waxing the pubic region most often causes the irritation that brings ingrown hairs to surface after a fresh shave.

g) Tight Undergarments:

Tight clothing and undergarments are known to cause ingrown hairs due to the irritating friction they cause to freshly shaven skin.

Resources

[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ingrown_hair

[2] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pubic_hair#Modification_of_pubic_hair