If you shave or wax regularly, you have probably met an ingrown hair — and if you have ever had a deep one, you know it is a different experience altogether. A deep ingrown hair can leave skin sore and inflamed, and if it is handled the wrong way it can lead to dark marks, scarring, or even an infection. The reassuring part is that most of them can be prevented, and the ones that do appear usually settle down on their own with a little patience. Two dermatologists break down exactly what a deep ingrown hair is, how to stop one forming, what to do (and not do) when you have one, and when it is time to book an appointment instead of trying to fix it yourself.
The short version first. Deep ingrown hairs usually come from hair removal — shaving or waxing — and dermatologists advise against trying to dig one out yourself, because that is how infections and skin damage happen. Prevention is where the real win is: warm water before hair removal, shaving cream or gel, a sharp razor used in the direction of growth, gentle exfoliation, and regular moisturising.
Meet the Experts
Dr. Melanie Palm is a board-certified medical dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon based in San Diego, California. Dr. Dendy E. Engelman is a board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon specialising in medical and cosmetic dermatology, based in New York City. The original article was written by Beth Krietsch and published on January 11, 2026.
What Is a Deep Ingrown Hair?
An ingrown hair happens when a hair grows underneath the skin instead of above it. A deep one often looks a lot like a pimple — a red, raised bump that can be itchy, painful, swollen, or simply uncomfortable. As Dr. Engelman explains, “Ingrown hairs often occur after shaving, tweezing, or waxing, and can be found in any area where hair grows, such as the face, legs, armpits, and pubic area.”
What Causes Deep Ingrown Hair?
A deep ingrown hair usually starts when a hair has been removed and then grows back, curving into the skin instead of out of it. Dr. Palm puts it plainly: “Ingrown hairs are most commonly caused by waxing, shaving, tweezing, threading, or cutting hair close to the skin.” Dead skin cells can make things worse by clogging a hair follicle, so the hair grows under the skin rather than out from it. Anyone with hair can get an ingrown hair, but people with coarse, thick, or curly hair are more likely to experience them.
How to Prevent Deep Ingrown Hair
You cannot prevent every single ingrown hair, but you can make them much less likely. Here are Dr. Palm’s tips for keeping them at bay:
- Prepare for hair removal with warm water. Before shaving, tweezing, or waxing, wash the skin with warm water first.
- Use shaving cream or gel. When you shave, apply a gel, cream, or even body wash or conditioner first. The lubrication helps, and it can help prevent ingrown hairs.
- Choose the right razor and technique. Use a sharp razor and shave in the direction your hair grows. That may reduce irritation and lower the likelihood of razor bumps and hair growing in at different angles.
- Use an exfoliating product. Build a gentle exfoliant into your routine before or after shaving. It helps clear away dirt and dead skin cells that could clog pores or hair follicles.
- Keep your skin moisturized. Moisturising regularly can help prevent ingrown hairs from appearing over time.
Should You Remove Deep Ingrown Hair?
Most of the time, the answer is to leave it alone. Ingrown hairs usually go away on their own, so in most cases there is nothing you need to remove. Dr. Engelman is direct about it: “I encourage patients not to pick at ingrown hairs on their own because it can cause damage, scarring, or infection, especially if sharp tools are used.” She adds that the best course of action is usually giving your body time to heal and sticking to safe skincare — gentle exfoliation and anti-inflammatory ingredients can help speed that process along.
It is possible to remove a visible ingrown hair with a sterile needle and tweezers, as Dr. Palm notes — but she is clear that this is a job for a dermatologist or your primary care physician, not a bathroom mirror. “Unless you’re skilled enough and able to do this in a clean environment, I generally advise against removing deep ingrown hairs yourself, as there’s a risk for infection, scarring, and damage to the skin,” she says.
Removal Methods
If a deep ingrown hair simply will not go away, it is worth seeing a dermatologist to have it removed properly. In some cases, they may use laser hair removal. The technology has come a long way, and doctors now have lasers that can treat all skin types. Dr. Palm notes, “It is highly effective and less painful, and most importantly safe on darker skin tones, which is ever so important in our changing demographics in the U.S.”
Your doctor might also prescribe topical treatments such as retinoids, which help reduce skin hyperpigmentation and clear away dead skin cells. Steroids may be prescribed too, to bring down inflammation and swelling.
Common Doctor Recommendations
Beyond the treatments above, your physician may suggest a few simpler steps:
- Applying a warm compress to the ingrown hair.
- Hitting pause on removing hair in that area for a while.
- Applying apple cider vinegar on the ingrown hair — some dermatologists suggest it because its anti-inflammatory properties can help soothe irritated skin, as Dr. Engelman notes.
Preventing Infections
Dr. Palm adds that in severe cases, your doctor might prescribe antibiotics to prevent an infection from arising.
When to See a Dermatologist
If a deep ingrown hair is giving you a lot of trouble and has lasted more than a couple of weeks, it is a good idea to see a doctor. Dr. Engelman says, “If an ingrown hair persists after about two weeks or begins to worsen in appearance, I recommend seeing a dermatologist for help.” A board-certified dermatologist can work out whether the lesion is an ingrown hair or something else entirely and put together the right treatment plan.
The Final Takeaway
Most ingrown hairs will go away on their own if you do not touch or pick at them. But if one becomes painful, red, swollen, or infected — or if it is really bothering you or has lasted more than a couple of weeks — see your primary care doctor or a dermatologist. And avoid removing a deep ingrown hair on your own: it can put you at risk of an infection or cause damage to the skin. Prevention and patience really are the whole strategy here.
Sources: the Mayo Clinic’s page on ingrown hair symptoms and causes, and the Cleveland Clinic’s page on ingrown hair.
