Ingrown hair removal In Irvine, CA

What is an ingrown hair?

An ingrown hair occurs when one or more strands of hair fail to grow out of the skin and instead continue growing beneath the surface, eventually forming a painful bump.

What causes ingrown hairs?

After shaving, tweezing, or waxing, the hair follicle opening may become clogged, preventing the hair from exiting properly. As a result, the hair grows under the skin.

Who is prone to ingrown hairs?

• People with naturally curly or coarse hair
• Individuals with thicker, dryer skin
• Those who shave, wax, or tweeze frequently
• Patients with a genetic predisposition

Where do ingrown hairs commonly occur?

Under the jawline, neck, armpits, and pubic area are common areas for ingrown hair

When do you need medical attention?

Ingrown hairs may not cause symptoms at first, but over time, they can become painful, itchy, and grow into an irritating bump. It can become infected and grow to a boil that needs a professional approach.

Why see a dermatologist for an ingrown hair?

Not every painful bump is an ingrown hair. A dermatologist confirms the diagnosis, rules out other causes (cysts, folliculitis, or rarely skin cancer), and removes the hair in a sterile, pain-minimizing way to reduce scarring and infection risk.

How we treat ingrown hairs at OC MedDerm

• Careful, sterile extraction of the ingrown hair
• Topical or oral antibiotics if infection is present
• Advice on hair removal techniques and prevention
• Minor procedures for recurrent or cystic lesions

All procedures are performed with medical-grade sterility and attention to minimizing discomfort and preventing scarring.

Why do you need medical attention?

Although an ingrown hair can appear as a painful bump, not every painful bump is an ingrown hair. To avoid misdiagnosis, and delay a skin cancer diagnosis, let us confirm the cause and safely remove the ingrown hair in a pain-free, sterile manner.

Prevention tips

• Use proper shaving technique: shave with the grain, use a sharp blade, and avoid multiple passes
• Exfoliate gently to remove dead skin and free trapped hairs
• Consider alternative hair removal methods (laser hair reduction) for recurrent problems
• Keep skin moisturized to reduce hair trapping

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I tell if a bump is an ingrown hair?

An ingrown hair often presents as a small, tender bump with a visible hair curled under the skin or at the center. If you are unsure, have it evaluated — OC MedDerm will confirm the diagnosis.

Will an ingrown hair go away on its own?

Minor ingrown hairs sometimes resolve without treatment, but infected or persistent bumps should be treated to avoid scarring or spread of infection.

Do you remove ingrown hairs during the visit?

Yes. If appropriate, we perform a sterile, painless extraction in the office. If the lesion is complex, we will discuss the best minor procedure or treatment plan.

Is treatment covered by insurance?

OC MedDerm accepts many PPO plans and Medicare for medically necessary procedures. Contact our office to verify your coverage.

Can ingrown hairs be prevented permanently?

For recurrent problems, laser hair reduction often provides a long-term solution. We will review options tailored to your skin and hair type.

Contact Us

If you have a painful bump, call us to schedule a medical visit. We accept PPO insurance and Medicare. Feel free to ask questions or call us to make an appointment.

Feel free to ask a question or call us (949) 551-1113 to make an appointment for a medical visit.

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