Ingrown Hair on Head Scalp Pictures, Symptoms, Removal & Treatment

Ingrown hair on scalp is no abnormal skin condition especially for men who shave their heads on a regular basis. It also occurs in women but in a few cases. The tiny bumps may appear on the sides, top and back of the head: upper part of the neck. What do these bumps feel and look like in pictures? What are the causes and symptoms? Can it turn to folliculitis? Read on to find out more in addition to how to get rid, prevention, removal, treatment options.

Ingrown Hair on Head Scalp Pictures-How it looks and feels like

In almost all cases, ingrown hairs occur or form when you shave or use any other hair removal technique inappropriately. The scalp, which is the skin on your head, represents one of the regions on the human body where hair is removed most frequently. This is mostly true in men.

According to AAD (American Academy of Dermatology), it is estimated that a normal individual has approximately 100,000 follicles on his/her scalp. What does this number imply? It means that your head is a hotbed of hair. Interestingly, more hair on the head may not necessarily mean the same thing to everyone. To others, especially ladies, it is prestige while for others (most men) it may be a disaster.

For the latter, the only available option is to shave. Not a one-time shave but regular shaving. It is this repeated hair removal, shaving in this case, that results to ingrown hair. The more you will want to get rid of hair on your head the higher the chances of being caught up with ingrown hairs.

When you shave your hair, the tip/follicle becomes sharp, which often tends to curve back towards the scalp and gradually pierce through the skin…and this what develops to an ingrown hair

So what is ingrown hair on scalp and what does it feel like or look in pictures?

Ingrown hairs on the head are hairs that instead of rising up from the scalp, bend and grow back into it(scalp) or deep into the follicle wall.

The formation of ingrown hair on your scalp involves two mechanisms;

• Extra follicular – happens when a curly or bent hair reenters the scalp
• Tran follicular – happens when the sharp tip of a growing hair pierces the follicle wall.

How does ingrown hair on head feel like?

According to WebMD, generally, an ingrown hair creates raised, bump (or group of bumps) which in most cases appear like a little pimple. Sometimes an ingrown hair can form a painful, boil-like sore.

Ingrown Hair on Scalp Pictures (how they look like)

Below are pictures of ingrown hair on scalp-behind the head, top and front.

Illustration of an ingrown hair picture

Ingrown Hair on top of the head, Back of the head Upper neck Region Pictures

Ingrown Hairs Front of the Head (hairline) Pictures

Ingrown Hair on Head Scalp Symptoms-Headache, Pain etc.

What are the signs or symptoms of ingrown hair on scalp? Can ingrown hair on head cause headache and pain? Keep on reading to find out.

Common Symptoms Ingrown Hair on Scalp

Red bumps and Itchiness are the most common symptoms of ingrown hairs on head. Along with this, you can also experience the following symptoms:

• Inflammation of the scalp skin.
• Tenderness of the affected region
• Pus filled bumps
• Irritation of head especially when covered covered

Ingrown Hair on Head Headache, Pain & Scars

Headaches are pretty common because the red bumps which come as a result of trapped hair sometimes accumulate pus. This is especially if an infection has developed around the affected area. The infection is the root cause of the headaches and pain. The pain may be aggravated by the act of combing your hair. The ache, usually dull, and the pain may last for a while.

Often, a scar develops around the region where the pus filled bumps were noticeable. Even after the disappearance of the bumps after clinical procedure, the scars may still be present.

What Causes Ingrown Hair on Head, Scalp, back of the Head & Neck

As mentioned above, ingrown hair on head or scalp is mostly caused by poor shaving methods. Sometimes bacterial infection also plays a key role in causing ingrown hair.

On the scalp, ingrown hairs may occur on the back of the head, the forehead and the temple (side of the head) on the top as you have already seen in the pictures above.

Causes

Other than poor hair removal techniques or methods, following are more causes of ingrown hair on the scalp.

1. Clogged hair follicle-A clogged hair follicle can trigger the growth of ingrown hairs on the scalp. Clogged follicles are the breeding ground of dead cells, debris and dirt, which promotes bacterial growth. All the dirt combined may block skin pores causing hairs to curl back inside instead of breaking out.
2. Your genes-. If your forefathers had curly hair, ingrown hair should be almost a normal skin condition to you. Men with extremely curled hair usually suffer from this kind of growth. Ethnicity also contributes a lot in this regard. African–American men suffer most from this condition. The tightly curled hair tends to grow inside almost without any restriction.
3. Increased use of hair products on the scalp can also be responsible for the ingrown hairs. These products contain skin irritating chemicals, which can cause bacterial infection on the scalp. The irritation on the skin further makes cluster or bumps on your scalp with hair trapped in.
4. Sometimes, objects that cover your head such hats or any other form of clothing can lead to a clogged follicle mentioned above. This can lead to an ingrown hair which may come about as a result of the trapped hairs…
5. Sometimes, the ingrown hair on the scalp is the consequence of an underlying health condition. It may be a weakened resilience, an infected cut or surgical incision among-st other conditions or diseases
   

Ingrown Hair on Scalp from shaving or after Hair Cut -back of the Head Neck

Most men prefer haircuts on the back of the head, forehead and temple. If you have not experienced it, just look around, you will notice a couple of individuals especially African-Americans men with ingrown hairs on the back of the head and part of the neck region.

One factor that may contribute to the backward growing hair in these regions is the kind of razor your barber uses. Probably the wrong kind of razor! In addition to the razor, repeated and poor shaving techniques for instance shaving too close to your skin and against the hair growth direction can result to ingrown hairs at the back of the head and the upper neck region.

Ingrown Hair on Head with Bump & Scalp Folliculitis (Infection)

Ingrown hairs on the scalp or head region often develop with pus-filled, cyst like structure that resembles a bump. As the hairs grow inside, it can lead to a bacterial infection, which in due course , if left unattended, can develop into a more serious into illness as you will learn shortly.

Can ingrown hair on scalp lead to folliculitis

The inflammatory disorders of the hair follicles in the scalp can further develop into scalp folliculitis. This kind of growth is also known as acne necrotica or proprionibacterium folliculitis. Initially they appear as small itchy raised bumps, which with time cause trouble on the front part of the hair line on the scalp. After sometime yellowish pus discharge may be noticeable. Usually, these are extremely painful.

Sometimes, there are infections caused by bacteria or yeast, that lead to the  inflammation on the scalp.  One of the best treatment for folliculitis on scalp is washing the infected scalp with antiseptic shampoo as much as possible. The shampoo has to be antiseptic and antidandruff, so that the infection can be removed without much hassle.

Ingrown Hair on Baby’s Head and Bald Head

Do scalp ingrown hairs occur on babies? The answer is yes though not very often. In most cases, the head is the area that is affected. After all, it is the only body part one would expect hair on a baby.

They occur on the scalp because this area experiences friction. The friction may be a result of shaving, tight clothing and other substances like oils. In some cases, the ingrown hairs can develop into an infection.

Does Ingrown hair on bald head occur? Baldness, sometimes called to as alopecia refers to a loss of hair from the head or some other part of the body. Ingrown hairs will usually occur where there is hair. If you notice something similar to an ingrown hair on a bald head then seek medical attention. It can be something else.

Ingrown Hair on Head Scalp Removal  and Treatment

Though ingrown hair usually disappears spontaneously on its own, clinical trials are important in case it turns out to be a serious or chronic problem. Sometimes, there are extremely deep trapped hairs on your scalp, which in due course can develop into serious problems. Do consider a clinical check up to determine the safest treatment for your condition.

Here is how you can deal with the ingrown hair on your head.

How to Cure or Treat Scalp Ingrown Hair

• To maintain utmost hygiene, you need to wash the affected area of the scalp (in fact the entire head) with antibacterial/antiseptic shampoo.
• Once the hair is dried apply antiseptic ointment topically on the affected area. The dermatologist will prescribe the right group of antiseptic depending on your skin type. You might need to consume antibiotic to check the accumulation of dead skin cells on the scalp. This way you can prevent the pores being clogged.
• Take oral antibiotics considering its effect on the secondary bacterial infection on your scalp.

• If you are experiencing inflammation and itching, use creams such as hydrocortisone cream on the bumps 2-3 times per day. According to livestrong.com, ensure you rub it in well so it doesn’t dry on your hair and leave a white film. The hydrocortisone cream reduces inflammation and helps control itching.
• Try hot compress on your scalp for 15 minutes three times per day. This home remedy will help the bumps to drain thus allowing the hair to come out with ease.

How to Remove Ingrown Hair on Scalp

The first step is to soften the skin with a wash cloth that has been soaked in warm water. This will help the bump to open and let the hair out with ease.

Step two: Using a pair of disinfected tweezers, gently get hold of the hair at its bend above the sore and pull the free ingrown end out. Never should you pluck out the whole hair as this may lead to a further infection.

Third or last step: Apply benzyl peroxide or another recommended skin product that can soothe the affected area.

Tips on how to Prevent Ingrown Hair on Head Scalp

1. The easiest and cheapest way to prevent ingrown scalp hair is to let your hair grow out. In other words, avoid any form of hair removal from your head. If it is necessary that you trim it, keep it at a length of 3.175 millimeters to 6.35 millimeters. In terms of inches it is 1/8 to 1/4 inch. The length is a recommendation by the University of Mississippi Health Care.
2. Avoid razors and instead use scissors or barber clippers to shave it. If you must use a razor, make sure it is the right razor: not old, sharp, new etc. Also, consider visiting an experienced barber.
3. Avoid anything that can cause friction on your head. This includes wearing hats or any other form of material on your head. This will help in reducing irritation while promoting quick healing.
4. Keep your scalp and the neck region clean. Wash your scalp daily. You can as well shampoo your hair. Cleaning your scalp everyday will get rid of dead skin cells and keep your scalp free of dirt.

If you have tried all the above treatment and prevention tips and your ingrown hairs don’t seem to heal, make a point to consult a dermatologist. He/she will establish if you need more specific treatment options or prescription medications.

Sources

1. http://www.skinsight.com/infant/folliculitis.htm
2. http://www.wikihow.com/Remove-an-Ingrown-Hair
3. https://www.umc.edu/uploadedFiles/UMCedu/Content/Education/Schools/Medicine/Clinical_Science/Otolaryngology__Communicative_Sciences/Handouts/PseudofolliculitisBarbae.pdf