Common Body Hair Problems and How to Fix Them: From Itching to Ingrown Hairs

Dealing with body hair can be an annoyance. Issues with the hair can lead to infections or other skin issues that need help from a dermatologist to fix. 

 Creator: jaouad.K | Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto

Some people are born with more body hair and may want to do some at-home grooming to address this. Many people go ahead and shave, trim, use creams to remove the hair, pluck, squeeze, and wax. The problems that can arise when doing this involve everything from itching to ingrown hairs. 

So what body hair problems do you deal with, and how can you fix them? Here is a guide to common body hair issues and what you can do on your own to fix them or keep them from occurring.

Itchy Hair

Sometimes you feel the need to itch. If you shave, wax, or pluck hairs regularly, you may find yourself experiencing more itching than others. If you tend to have dryer skin or experience dry, itchy skin in certain climates, you may find that your body hair lends itself to feeling more itchy.

If you deal with skin issues like psoriasis, you may need the help of a dermatologist or doctor. A medicated ointment or topical cream can help to heal your itchy skin problem. Itchy skin is sometimes attributed to an allergic reaction or exposure to an allergen; it might also be a reaction to a drug or nerve damage.

Beards can be itchy due to weather, dryness, or skin problems. One thing that you can do to help combat itchy body hair is to ensure that you stay moisturized. Drinking enough water is good for your hair follicles as well as your skin.

Consider incorporating some products into your hair that help it stay moisturized and conditioned. There are oils that soften your beard, allowing the hair to look shiny and polished, but they also work to combat the itchiness. Look for coconut oil products to help ease itchiness.

Other helpful natural and home treatments that you can use to help your itchy hair areas include the following:

• Colloidal oatmeal
• Oils like that of coconut oil, including lemongrass, tea tree, and peppermint.
• Medicated beard washes, shampoos, and conditioners that treat the itch.

Ingrown Hairs

An ingrown hair on your skin looks raised, discolored, and sometimes painful. They typically appear after you shave, tweeze, or wax an area. The strand of hair grows back under your skin. They are referred to as shave bumps or razor bumps.

The beard area on your face is more likely to develop ingrown hairs. The symptoms you see often include:

• Skin irritation
• Discoloration of the skin (red, brown, purple)
• Small bumps around the follicles of your face
• Painful bumps

The new hairs grow under your skin, often curling and re-entering the skin. You’ll likely experience ingrown hairs if your hair is curly, thick, or coarse. 

There are many ways you can treat ingrown hairs. Some of the best home remedies include the following:

• Stop shaving to allow the hair to grow.
• Apply a warm washcloth or towel to the affected hair to help open the pores and allow the ingrown hair to release.
• Use a conditioning shave cream that coaxes the hairs to soften, making ingrown hairs less likely.
• Apply an ingrown hair treatment product and let it sit.

To effectively remove the ingrown hair, you should exfoliate your skin first to remove dead skin layers and release the hair. Use warm water and wash the affected area. You can gently pull the hair out with tweezers or a sterile needle, but be very careful when using this method. 

If you do nothing, ingrown hair can usually heal itself, but it sometimes can become infected. If you see signs of infection like pus, pain at the ingrown hair site, and discoloration of the ingrown hair, you should visit your doctor or get a referral to a dermatologist. When looking for a dermatologist (if you would prefer to seek out their expertise, rather than waiting for a referral), you can search online for a “private dermatologist Cambridge” (tailoring the search to your local area) and read reviews of the clinics you find to choose the best facility for you and your skin.  

Training Unruly Hair

You may have a beard or mustache that’s challenging to maintain because it’s unruly, coarse, or thick hair that doesn’t stay in place. Although it’s a common problem, it can be troublesome to deal with and tame.

Besides constantly dampening the hair to get it to settle, you can train your unruly beard with some simple repetition. Brushing and combing your beard and/or mustache on a daily basis is a way to help train your hair to grow more specifically. It helps your beard to keep its shape longer. 

Also, using beard products like beard oils, balms, and waxes can help you style and keep the hair in place. The more often you use and manipulate your hair, the more likely it will conform to that same shape.

Fixing Your Body Hair Problems

While there are a few common body hair problems you may deal with, they are all very treatable. Ingrown hairs, itchy hair, and unruly hair all have methods you can use right in the comforts of home to fix. 

However, it’s best to consult with your doctor if you’re experiencing a more uncomfortable irritation, such as a skin infection or possible condition. Some other common hair problems include thin hair, and frequent breakage, which some additional products could help.

A dermatologist specializes in examining and diagnosing skin problems. So when dealing with more severe skin issues, getting treatment from an expert can be helpful.