Ingrown Hair: Treatment using Tea Tree Oil

Symptoms

Ingrown hair symptoms and signs include:

•       Small, swelling pimples appear where you shave, tweeze, or wax.
•       Small lumps that resemble blisters or are pus-filled
•       Small pimples that are darker in colour than the surrounding skin (hyperpigmentation)
•       stinging or burning
•       Itching

Because the hair tip curls and develops into the skin, it forms a loop.

Causes

Ingrown hair happens when a previously excised hair begins to grow back and bends into the skin. This is common after shaving, tweezing, or waxing.

Ingrown hair is influenced by hair structure and growth direction. A curved hair follicle that generates tightly curled hair is thought to promote hair to reenter the skin when it is clipped and begins to grow again. Shaving gives hair a sharp edge, making it easier to puncture the skin.

Ingrown hairs can also be caused by the following factors:

•       When you shave, you pull your skin. Hair is drawn back into the skin as a result of this process.
•       Tweezing.

When a hair penetrates your skin, it responds similarly to a foreign body, becoming irritating.

Describe tea tree oil

Tea tree leaves are steam distilled to produce tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) oil. The Australian native plant has been used for years by indigenous Australians to treat coughs, colds, and other ailments.

Tea tree oil possesses antimicrobial, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory effects, according to a 2006 research. Additionally, it could speed up wound healing.

Using tea tree oil for ingrown hair treatment

There are three main ways tea tree oil may treat ingrown hairs. It can assist:

•       Avoidance of ingrown hairs
•       Removing ingrown hairs
•       Avoid ingrown hair infection

Prevention

In order to avoid ingrown hairs, it’s crucial to keep your skin hydrated and sanitary. Natural healers advise using a mixture of 8 drops of tea tree oil and 1 ounce of shea butter on regions that are prone to ingrown hairs.

Healing

The combination of 20 drops of tea tree oil and 8 ounces of warm distilled water is recommended by natural healers. Ingrown hairs may become looser as a result of this mixture’s potential to lessen irritation and open pores.

Apply the water-tea tree oil combination to the afflicted region using a clean washcloth that has been dipped in the solution, wrung out, and then used. Every day, twice—in the morning and before you go to sleep—repeat this procedure.

Protection

Tea tree oil’s antibacterial qualities can be utilised to treat infections brought on by ingrown hairs.

Natural healers advise adding 10 drops or so of tea tree oil to 1/4 cup of your regular body moisturiser to increase its efficacy and lower bacterial growth in areas where ingrown hairs are more likely to occur.

Tea tree oil precautions

Even though tea tree oil is well-liked and frequently used, there are several safety measures you should be aware of:

When taken orally, tea tree oil is poisonous.

If used excessively, tea tree oil can overdry the skin.

Additional oils for treating ingrown hairs

Other oils than tea tree oil may also be helpful for treating ingrown hairs include:

German Chamomile

German chamomile (Matricaria recutita) is regarded by natural healers as a potent skin moisturiser that helps lubricate the skin to help prevent ingrown hairs. Natural medicine proponents advise creating a massage oil to apply to body parts prone to ingrown hairs. Before taking a warm bath, rub your skin with a combination of 10 drops of German chamomile essential oil and 1/2 cup of sweet almond oil.

Lemongrass

Natural healers believe that lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus, stapf) essential oil can be used for treating ingrown hair because of its antibacterial, astringent, and skin-rejuvenating characteristics. One drop of the resulting concoction should be applied to each ingrown hair. Combine 9 drops of lemongrass essential oil with 1/4 cup of jojoba oil.

Aromatic lavender oil

Natural healers believe that the essential oil of lavender (Lavandula latifolia) has calming effects on the skin. According to natural healers, this shaving lotion may help prevent ingrown hairs. Combine 10 drops of lavender essential oil with 1/2 cup of coconut oil using an electric mixer. You’ll have a creamy, white concoction to use as shaving cream in approximately 5 minutes.

How can you get rid of an ingrown hair?

Gently exfoliate your skin to remove an ingrown hair. Exfoliating your skin eliminates dead skin cells and aids in the release of ingrown hairs. Wash your afflicted areas with a washcloth, exfoliating brush, exfoliating gel or scrub, and warm — not hot — water in tiny, circular strokes.

You may also carefully take out an ingrown hair that has looped or coiled back into your skin with a sterilised needle, pin, or tweezers. To avoid infection, apply rubbing alcohol to your surrounding skin. Then, insert the sterile needle, pin, or tweezers carefully through the exposed hair loop. Lift the hair loop gently until one end comes free from your skin.

How soon will I feel better following treatment?

Most ingrown hairs will disappear on their own after a few days; however, severe instances may take several weeks.

It may take a few days for medications to take effect. Electrolysis and laser hair removal produce quick effects.

When should I make an appointment with my doctor?

If your ingrown hairs do not disappear with at-home treatments and a proper skincare routine, or if they get infected, see your healthcare professional.

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