What is ingrown hair?

Question

I have these little bumps on my legs and if you look closely theyres like a tip of a hair or like if i scratch it theres like a hair underneath it.

What exactly is ingrown hair..? Do i have it?

Answer 1

An ingrown hair is a hair that does not emerge from the follicle but remains embedded in the skin (usually causing inflammation).

If it hurts like c**p it's probably an ingrown hair, otherwise keep checking on it.

pick me for best answer :)

Answer 2

Yep!  That's ingrown hair all right. It happens because the cut end of the hair tries to grow out at an angle and curls under the skin.

Stop shaving for a while, don't scratch. You don't want an infection and scarring. If it keeps happening every time you shave, try waxing (although for me waxing made it worse.)

Answer 3

Yes that is ingrown hair.

Ingrown hair is VERY common while (actually after) shaving.

How do you get it?

Ingrown hair happen more often for people with dry skin, so make SURE that you rub on that shaving creme!

While shaving, the blades of the razor cuts in skin, without shaving off hair, the hair near the cut-in skin curls back into the skin. Usually the cut is not noticeable or sensible.

How do you get rid of it?

Well, one option is go to a hair removing salon and ask to get your ingrown hairs off, PRICEY$$!

Another option is to take your thumb and middle finger and form an "O" (make sure that your fingernails touch) where you see ingrown hair, form the "O" with your nails touching and gently pick at the top layer of your skin (aiming for the hair). This should NOT bleed. Then pull the hair out and if you want, take a tweezer and pull out the hair.