# Ingrown hairs... **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 29, 2003, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ingrown-hairs/165047 "2003-03-29T17:27:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![1000monkeys](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/1/7cd45c/32.png) [@1000monkeys](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/1000monkeys)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2003, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ingrown-hairs/165047/1 "2003-03-29T17:27:32Z")
better to pluck them out entirely, roots and all? Or, just pull them out so they break the surface of the skin? Better in terme of to promote healing/prevent their return. ---
**Author:** ![Sock\_Munkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Sock\_Munkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sock_Munkey)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2003, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ingrown-hairs/165047/2 "2003-03-29T18:14:49Z")
I think there is already a vividly disgusting thread on this somewhere. ---
**Author:** ![1000monkeys](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/1/7cd45c/32.png) [@1000monkeys](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/1000monkeys)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2003, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ingrown-hairs/165047/3 "2003-03-29T19:07:48Z")
hundreds of them apparently, thanks for the tip, yet after wading through quite a bit of horrifying/compelling/puss-filled posts no specific answer to my question. anyone? ---
**Author:** ![Ice\_Wolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/dfb087/32.png) [@Ice\_Wolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ice_Wolf)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2003, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ingrown-hairs/165047/4 "2003-03-29T19:17:16Z")
[Some dermatology info.](http://www.sw.org/clinical_content/adult/derm/inhair.htm) Personally, I either free mine from the skin (carefully!) or remove the hair completely where there’s a build up under the skin. Go with caution, though, and seek medical help in cases of infection. ---
**Author:** ![Una\_Persson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/una_persson/32/346_2.png) [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2003, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ingrown-hairs/165047/5 "2003-03-29T21:20:08Z")
You forgot option 3, which I did for 2 of them just last night, which is remove them permanently when they occur via home electrolysis. ---
**Author:** ![cdhostage](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c6cbf5/32.png) [@cdhostage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cdhostage)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2003, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ingrown-hairs/165047/6 "2003-03-29T21:48:44Z")
Ingrown hairs should be drawn out from the skin, and NOT CUT immediately. Cut it and the remainder will either disappear back into your face (or wherever, mine was on my face), or will continue to grow in the wrong direction. You have to leave it pointing out towards the air for a little while, then you can cut it and treat it as normal.