Ingrown Hair on Vagina, Labia, Pictures,Bump, Symptoms & Prevention
Ingrown hair in the vaginal area, that is, indeed an uncomfortable condition for most women. If not treated in time, over time, it may grow into a chronic health hazard or infection. This article discusses how it looks with pictures, causes, signs, how to get rid of it, treatment options, home remedies, removal tools and more.
Causes & Symptoms
Jump to:
Following are the causes and signs of ingrown hair on the female genitalia.
Causes
Vaginal ingrown hair bumps is serious problem that has been affecting ladies for a long time.
Having a close look at the anatomy of the female reproductive system, ingrown hairs do not actually form on the vagina.
By definition, the vagina is a muscular canal that connects the uterus to the exterior of the body. Where ingrown hair may occur is on the lips (the labium majus)- the part that protects the exterior opening of the vagina.
The term is used here basing on the idea that it is what people call it…ingrown hair on vagina or razor bumps on vag.
The main cause is removal of unwanted body hair. Anyone can get an ingrown hair.
It will depend on the method of hair removal you are using, the tools, and how often you carry out hair removal.
Some methods of getting rid of hair such shaving, waxing and tweezing are the most popular causes. This is especially when you wax or shave in the wrong direction or you shave too close to the skin.
Using unhygienic and blunt blades increases the chances of getting razor bumps on your private area. Repeated hair removal also makes your skin prone to backward growing hairs.
When you do away with unwanted hair, there are chances that it will grow back. Most hair shafts will grow out through the skin without causing any problem. On the other hand, other hairs opt to bend and grow back underneath the skin. As a result, the body responds to the hair as if it were a foreign object. That is when less severe symptoms or signs, including itching, pain, swelling or redness begin.
In cases of severe signs,an ingrown hair can form a painful, boil-like sore. In other situations, the females have reported a hard lump on vag. The hard lump may be an ingrown hair but not always. It may be a pimple or cyst.
According to WebMD, another factor that may lead to ingrown hair on labia and on mons pubis is your genetic make-up. Individuals with high levels of certain sex hormones can have excessive hair growth, which makes it more prone to ingrown hairs, especially after shaving or waxing.
Still on genes, curly hair is more likely to bend back and re-enter the skin, especially after it’s been shaved or cut.
Another cause is tight clothing and synthetic fabrics, for example nylon leggings, skinny jeans and polyester underwear. All these materials can worsen ingrown vaginal hair after shaving or waxing because they limit the amount of fresh hair in the region thus creating breeding grounds for bacteria.
An underlying infection can also lead to forming an ingrown hair though in a few cases.
Symptoms/Signs
There’s no specific symptom of ingrown hair apart from the inside growth causing sores and lesions. However, depending on the features and location of the lesion, following symptoms can be noticed invariably, in female.
- It is Itchy
- It is Painful
- Hyperpigmentation- Skin darkening
- Papules- small round bumps or swellings
- Blisters or small round, pus-filled bumps called pustules
Though such symptoms are likely to appear in case of rashes and other skin diseases, a clinical checkup is helpful in the proper diagnosis of the problem.
If the growth of this unwanted hair can’t be arrested in time, it can call for a lot of discomforts and pain owing to the fact this region of your body is very sensitive.
More often than not, an unattended razor bump in this zone may lead to an infection especially if there is an underlying skin disorder. In following sections let us see what causes ingrown vaginal hair and in the bikini area.
Ingrown hair on Labia (vag lips) pictures
How to get rid ingrown hair vaginal area & Treatment
Usually, ingrown hair on labia should not be threat in the down-there zone. Given time, these hairs clear up on their own. Hence no special treatment is required in most cases.
Occasionally, however, you may find it necessary to get rid of these hairs or you may simply want to quicken the healing process. The following options may come in handy in removing, treating or curing the razor bumps on your labia or mons pubi.
Home remedies
Home remedies include;
Follow the links to find out how each can be used.
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Using Aspirin
- Sugaring for Ingrown Hair Removal
- Tea Tree Oil
- Aloe vera
- Cucumber
- Baking powder
- Honey
- Salt
Exfoliate after Shaving or Waxing.
The main purpose of exfoliation after shaving or waxing is to get rid of dead skin. This practice also allows your skin to soak and soften.
Washing and exfoliating the infected zone may make it easier for the underneath hair to break out to the surface of the skin.
If that doesn’t work, according to healthline.com, your healthcare practitioner might prescribe medication that can help dead skin cells slough off more quickly.
Retinoids, such as tretinoin (Renova, Retin-A), can not only fasten the clearing of dead skin cells but also aid in clearing up dark skin patches that form as a result of the razor bumps.
Creams for Itchy Ingrown Hair, Swelling, Inflammation & Redness
How can I get rid of the swelling, redness or inflammation which come as a result of ingrown hair on vag and the surrounding areas?
The best option in this case is creams. Check with your doctor. He/she may prescribe a steroid cream. This topical treatment can reduce the swelling and irritation around the hair. You will learn shortly about some these creams.
Antibiotics for Infected Ingrown Hair on Labia.
You have tried the above steps and the ingrown hair on your vag still won’t go away? Probably, that is an infected ingrown hair cyst. All you need is an antibiotic ointment. If the infection is severe, you may require an oral antibiotic.
How to Prevent
1. Avoid tight clothing
After hair removal in the region down there, ensure you wear loose cotton clothing that is breathable. It should not rub against your skin
2. Minimize or completely stop Hair Removal on Labia
As you already know hair removal is the major cause of ingrown hairs. Avoid any hair removal method as this is likely to worsen the condition.
It may even lead to an infection considering that skin down there is quite sensitive. So, do not shave, wax or pluck hair in this region.
For how long should you stop removing hair? Until all the ingrown vaginal hairs disappear completely.
3. Avoid repeated hair removal
This is the surest way of preventing ingrown hair. Though, it is understandable that not everyone will prefer to let the hair grow all the way in your private area… unless you want to appear in the Guinness Book of Records
4. Use Laser Hair Removal
Laser hair removal is one of the best long-lasting ways to prevent ingrown vaginal hair.However, it is quite expensive and its suitability as a hair-removal-method probably may depend on an individual. This method damages the hair follicle which extends the period which the will need to grow back.However, it is not permanent.
5. Consider Electrolysis
This is a permanent hair removal solution. It uses an electrode to destroy the hair root. similar to laser hair removal, electrolysis requires several treatments over the course of a few weeks or months.
Be very cautious while trying this option. Remember the skin down there is quite sensitive. Since this method involves chemicals, your skin is likely to be irritated. Ensure you try the chemical remover on a small patch of skin before using it all over.
6. Wax Creams/Depilatories
Some prescription creams can minimize hair regrowth, particularly when used after other hair removal solutions, such as laser. Depilatories are creams or “shaving powders” which chemically dissolve hair.
7. Drugs
These directly attack hair growth or inhibit the development of new hair cells. Hair growth will become less and less until it finally stops. Some of these drugs include;
- Vaniqa
- Antiandrogens such as cyproterone acetate, flutamide etc.
8. Shave Properly
Ensuring that you shave properly is the cheapest and easiest way to prevent razor bumps down there. Simply use a Sharp and fresh razor, not so close to skin and follow the right direction