Essential oil for ingrown hair sounds great. Who wouldn’t want to use natural plant oil to get rid of ingrown hair?
I believe if you pluck or shave hair you’ve seen ingrown hair bumps developing. Most times it resolves itself and sometimes it causes inflammation, pain, and infection.
So, can you use natural oil to fix it? Essential oils have medicinal properties that can help treat ingrown hair and razor burns. They are popular for dermatology use because they have antimicrobial goodness against pathogens.
These oils can soothe, and reduce pain, infection, discomfort, itchiness, swelling, and irritation, redness, and relieve you from inflammatory skin conditions.
In this article, we’ll go over the causes, essential oil for ingrown pubic hair, and how essential oils can help you prevent infection. But first, let’s learn about ingrown hair.
What Is Ingrown Hair?
Razor bumps occur when shaved hair starts to grow back. The hair can curve into the skin or grow sideways in the hair follicle after tweezing, waxing, or shaving.
An ingrown hair often times looks like acne and sometimes causes erythema, discoloration, pustules, and localized infection. What’s worse, is it can be cosmetically disfiguring. Here are some of the symptoms of ingrown hair;
- Swollen, tiny bumps that occur after shaving. waxing and tweezing.
- Small bumps that fill with pus, sometimes they look like blisters.
- Darker-looking small bumps… more than the surrounding areas, (hyperpigmentation)
- Irritation, burning, itching, and stinging.
- Growing hair looks like a loop because the tip curves and grows back into the skin.
Causes of Ingrown Hair
You see, your hair structure and the direction of hair growth play a role in whether you develop ingrown hair conditions.
A curved hair follicle can produce tight curled hair encouraging the growing hair to regrow into the skin after shaving.
The hair reenters the skin because after shaving it has a sharp edge that can pierce the skin. Other causes include
- Clogged hair follicles from dead Skin Cells
- Tweezing
- Razor bump Irritation from single-blade razors
- Pulling the skin when you’re shaving
- Sensitive skin for Razors and shaving method
Ingrown hair is common in the face, pubic area, armpits, and legs, this is after you cut your hair, shave or tweeze.
Essential Oils for Ingrown Hair
There several essential oils for ingrown hairs you can use to fight infection and even treat inflammation.
Below is the best essential oil for ingrown hair.
1. Tea Tree Essential Oil For Ingrown Hair Bump
Tea tree essential oil is a great essential oil for ingrown hair bumps. The oil is a viable treatment for various skin conditions, including ingrown hairs.
Its key component, terpinen-4-ol, is what makes it so effective against these hairs. This active component has powerful antimicrobial properties that can reduce the pain and discomfort associated with ingrown hair.
It can also help to reduce itching and swelling due to its antimicrobial qualities. In addition, terpinen-4-ol can act as an exfoliant agent to unclog pores by removing sebum and other dirt particles … making it easier for ingrown hairs to escape the surface of the skin without further entrapment or inflammation.
Using tea tree essential oil for treating ingrown hairs is straightforward; Apply to the affected area in liquid form or as part of a cream or lotion. Leave it on the skin overnight and rinse in the morning for maximum effect.
If an increase in irritation occurs after use, stop use immediately and speak with a doctor about other options for treating your ingrown hairs.
Enthusiasts of this oil suggest you add 10 drops of tea tree oil to a 1/4 of your body moisturizer to reap the natural healing properties of this oil. Applying this can reduce bacterial growth after shaving.
2. Lavender Essential Oil for Preventing Razor Bumps
Lavender oil is a wonderful and versatile choice when it comes to creating healthy skin.
Its aroma has an intoxicating effect which can help promote relaxation as well as provide other benefits to our skin. Lavender contains active ingredients such as linalyl acetate that can reduce the amount of skin irritation, making it an ideal product for treating ingrown hairs.
Linalyl acetate works by infiltrating the hair follicles and allowing your skin to repair itself faster, therefore reducing the rate at which inflammation occurs and further irritation is caused.
Not only does lavender oil have properties beneficial for reducing skin irritations, but it’s also helpful in preventing ingrown hairs altogether.
This is due to its antibacterial and antiseptic components, which work together to restrict the further development of bacteria on your epidermis.
In addition, lavender’s anti-inflammatory qualities can help soothe delicate skin, and inflammatory lesions after you remove facial hair.
3. Geranium Essential Oil Ingrown Hair Care
Ingrown hair is something that can affect both men and women and can be bothersome and unpleasant.
This occurs when a strand of hair fails to grow out of the follicle, and instead becomes trapped beneath the skin’s surface, often resulting in irritation, redness, inflammation, and visible bump under the skin.
In some cases, this condition isn’t serious but it can affect one’s lifestyle due to its aesthetic appearance. Fortunately, geranium essential oil provides an effective remedy for ingrown hairs as well as eliminating discoloration on the affected area.
Geranium oil is known for its antiseptic properties which help discourage infection in areas with ingrown hairs.
It facilitates blood circulation and decreases inflammation while making sure that any bacterial or fungal build-up doesn’t occur. The oil can treat various skin conditions and reduce scarring, keeping skin smooth and healthy.
Geranium oil has got great astringent powers that help cleanse pores allowing trapped hairs to come out easily without complications.
4. Chamomile Essential Oil Soothes Razor Bumps
Chamomile oil is a natural remedy for many issues, among them ingrown hairs. This oil has anti-inflammatory effects that help soothe skin irritation caused by razor cuts.
You can apply this oil to the affected area after diluting it with carrier oil. The oil can also reduce discomfort , itching, and redness associated with ingrown hair.
Additionally, it has anti-septic properties which help prevent infections. Regular application of this oil results in fewer ingrown hairs due to its antimicrobial effects.
Also, regular treatments with chamomile essential oils help manage pain caused by razor blades and tweezers when removing the hair.
Finally, because this oil is a natural remedy with no negative side effects, it’s an ideal choice for people looking for gentle relief from uncomfortable ingrown hairs without using synthetic chemicals.
5. Lemongrass Essential Oil Ingrown Hair
Lemongrass essential oil is a natural remedy that has been used for centuries to promote good health. It has powerful antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties, making it an ideal treatment for ingrown hair discomfort.
To use, dilute with coconut oil and apply to the affected area. This oil can reduce redness, inflammation, itching, and even pain.
The benefits of lemongrass essential oil don’t stop there; its anti-bacterial properties help prevent new ingrown hairs from forming. This is because the bacteria associated with hair follicles can be tamed by lemongrass oil.
At the same time, however, make sure to cover the area with a bandage while allowing for proper ventilation. For best results use this remedy every day until all signs of ingrown hair have dissipated completely.
6. Peppermint Essential Oil For Razor Bump Therapy
The topical application of peppermint essential oil can soothe the skin after shaving, and reduce irritation and itching.
To use peppermint oil, dilute in jojoba oil and then apply the mixture to the area with the ingrown hairs. This oil helps reduce discomfort and inflammation, promotes healing, and prevents future ingrown hair.
In addition to using peppermint essential oil for ingrown hair, there are other methods that have proven effective as well. For example, proper washing….can reduce irritation or stop itchiness from occurring.
Proper washing paired with peppermint essential oil provides faster healing and less discomfort.
6. Rosemary Essential Oil For Ingrown Hair
To reduce irritation and inflammation from ingrown hair, rosemary essential oil is a great solution. The oil has strong anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties that help soothe any irritations due to ingrown hair.
Along with reducing any inflammation, rosemary essential oil also stimulates circulation which helps quicken the healing process for ingrown hair.
Regular use helps protect from fungal infections and decreases pain.
Furthermore, its aroma offers a peaceful feeling and can help reduce stress from irritated skin. Rosemary Essential Oil is an excellent choice for getting rid of pesky ingrown hairs healthily.
7. Oregano Essential Oil For Ingrown Hair
Oregano essential oil has powerful anti-microbial and anti-viral, and antifungal properties which target the infection caused by ingrown hairs razor burns.
It has pain-relieving anti-inflammatory properties. And its natural antifungal qualities help soothe your skin while tackling any underlying issues.
The oil also reduces redness and dries out ingrown hair to reduce swelling and pain.
To use; add a few drops of oregano essential oils to your weekly or daily skincare routine depending on how severe your symptoms are, and enjoy softer, healthier skin fast.
8. Frankincense Essential Oil For Ingrown Hair
Frankincense essential oil is a natural remedy for ingrown hairs as it offers both relief and future protection for skin prone to this problem.
Regular use of this essential oil can reduce pain, swelling, irritation, redness, and itchiness due to its strong antiseptic properties. This also has anti-microbial abilities which help prevent any further infection from spreading.
It is important to use frankincense essential oil in moderation in order to reap the full benefits of the remedy.
To apply, mix two drops of the frankincense essential oil with either coconut or jojoba oil. This combination works best to break down the ingrowth.
After mixing, massage the affected area every morning and evening after showering until symptoms disappear. With regular application, the ingrown hair heals and prevents future occurrences.
9. Lemon Essential Oil For Ingrown Hair
The lemon essential oil contains antioxidants, vitamin C, and citric acid. These properties help reduce the size of the follicle and pain. With its antibacterial properties, it is also a great way to disinfect the area where the ingrown hair appears.
Regular use helps restore natural skin tone and texture after the successful removal of the ingrown hair.
Lemongrass essential oil can offer relief from embarrassing ingrown hair! It too has some powerful antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal benefits which help prevent reoccurrences in the future.
This oil is an excellent choice for use after waxing or shaving as it prevents the hair from curling inside the skin. For best results, mix lemon oil with coconut or extra virgin olive before applying it to affected areas twice daily for effective results.
10. Eucalyptus Essential Oil For Hair Growth
Eucalyptus essential oil is a very versatile and powerful product for ingrown hair prevention.
When you combine it with other ingredients, such as sugar, olive, or coconut oil, it makes for one of the best exfoliators available.
The scrub helps remove dead skin cells and cleans out the pores which reduce the chances of an ingrown hair forming in the first place.
It also helps to reduce inflammation and irritation from existing ingrown hairs making their treatment much easier.
In addition to its exfoliating properties, eucalyptus essential oil also provides anti-septic benefits that work to keep any potential infection from taking hold.
This is great for severe ingrown cases where pus is developing as the oils help dry out and heal the affected area faster than traditional methods.
Eucalyptus oil contains 1,8 cineole which helps reduce itching or discomfort felt due to an ingrown hair further aiding in treating those pesky hairs.
How To Use Essential Oils For Ingrown Hairs?
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Essential oils can help address a variety of skin issues, and bacterial infections including ingrown hairs.
Since these oils are potent, they should not be applied directly to the skin, as this can cause irritation.
Instead, it’s important to dilute essential oils with carrier oil before using them after shaving. Do this by mixing 1 part essential oil with 10 parts carrier oil. Doing this ensures the oils don’t cause any skin problems or discomfort.
You can also create DIY recipes, for example, a combination of warm water, lavender, tea tree, and rosemary oils. Once you have your oil solution is ready, apply it directly to problem areas in a circular motion twice a day for best results and maximum healing benefits.
Also, avoid overly tight clothes to prevent friction or fabrics trapping hairs against your skin. l
How Do You Get Rid of Ingrown Hairs Fast?
Ingrown hairs are a common issue, especially after a close shave. These hairs can become trapped beneath the surface of the skin and cause bumps or cysts.
Unfortunately, there is no fool-proof cure to eliminate an ingrown hair overnight and it often takes time for it to resolve on its own.
However, there are a few steps that you can take to reduce the discomfort caused by ingrown hair.
It is recommended to apply a diluted essential oil on the cyst and put warm compresses on the area every 15 minutes until it subsides. This brings out the trapped hair and also reduces inflammation and swelling in the area.
Plus using the warm compresses gently exfoliates the area and assists in dislodging hairs stuck beneath your skin’s surface. And helps them grow out in the right direction instead of curling back under something that often causes irritation or infection.
Doing this practice 1-2 times per day can reduce ingrown hairs over time, but typically it takes a few days to a week for any deep-seated hairs to grow out on their own accord.
Precautions When Using Essential Oils
Image by Mirko Sajkov from Pixabay
Essential oils can be a natural and effective remedy but you need to take care when using them to avoid irritation or allergic reactions.
Always dilute essential oils with a carrier oil before applying them to the skin, and perform a patch test on a small area before using it on a larger area.
Some essential oils, such as tea tree oil, are too strong for sensitive skin, so use them with caution. Additionally, avoid applying essential oils to broken or infected skin, and discontinue use if you experience any adverse reactions.
Consult with a healthcare professional before using essential oils on ingrown hairs, if you have any underlying health conditions or are taking medications.
Conclusion
In conclusion, essential oils are great natural ingrown hair treatments. The potency of essential oils plays an important role in deciding the level of effectiveness.
Essential oils can also be useful for holistic healing purposes.
Whether looking for a temporary solution or permanent relief from frequent skin issues such as dryness or eczema, essential oils create a perfect balance without topical medications or antibiotics.
Take advantage of this powerful nature-based treatment that has proven numerous times its healing abilities across centuries!