Have you ever noticed a strange outgrowth over your skin that is painful, red and inflamed? They are not exactly pimples. So what are they? They are actually ingrown hair. Ingrown hair is a result of frequent waxing, shaving and using various methods to remove hair on the regular basis. Sometimes they can even be a consequence of dead skin that clogs up hair follicles and forces the hair inside it to grow sideways.

These are also known as razor bumps and are characterized by raised, pimple-like red bump and curled hair, which grows back into the skin instead of rising out from it. It can cause pain, swelling and irritation on the skin. Ingrown hair appears most frequently in legs, beard area, bikini area and legs. These will go away with time, but there are various homemade treatments that will relieve you of the uneasy feeling quickly:

#1 Baking Soda

Due to its anti-inflammatory properties and soothing effects, baking soda is a good option to prevent ingrown hair. It helps reduce itching and redness and acts as a natural exfoliator. Make a concentrated solution of baking soda and water and apply it over the affected area with the help of a cotton ball. Leave it for 5-10 minutes and then wash it off with lukewarm water. Repeat this daily for at least a week to get the desired results.

#2 Oatmeal

Mix equal quantity of ground oatmeal, yogurt, and honey. Apply it over the affected area. Leave it for ½ an hour and then wash it off with cold water. This method checks the growth of ingrown hair.

#3 Sugar

Sugar acts as a natural exfoliator that helps remove the dead skin cells and brings out the ingrown hair. Mix some white sugar, extra virgin olive oil or jojoba oil and ten drops of tea tree oil and lavender oil. Apply this scrub on the affected area and gently rub in a circular motion for a few minutes. Leave it for 5 minutes. Then wash off with lukewarm water. Apply this remedy once daily.

This scrub can be kept in an airtight container in a refrigerator for further use.

#4 Honey

In addition to moisturizing the skin, honey also acts as a good antiseptic and reduces swelling and inflammation. Apply a layer of honey directly to the affected area and leave it for 10 minutes. Rinse it off with cold water afterward. Repeat this remedy 2-3 times a day. Raw unprocessed honey is more effective than the processed one.

#5 Cornstarch

Mix some cornstarch with water and apply the resultant paste to the affected area. It has the same properties as baking soda; thus, helps reduce pain, inflammation and swelling due to ingrown hair.

#6 Cucumber

Cucumber contains a lot of water which helps deal with pain, skin inflammation, irritation, redness and swelling (0). Refrigerate the cucumber for half an hour and cut it into slices. Put these slices into the affected area. This remedy is very simple and must be done every day till the symptoms of ingrown hair subside. Alternatively, make cucumber puree and add some milk into it. Refrigerate this mixture and apply it to the affected area with the help of cotton swab. Let it stay for 15 minutes. Finally, wash off with lukewarm water.

#7 Salt

From exfoliating the skin to increasing the blood circulation to reduce swelling and speeding up the healing process, salt does it all. All you are required to do is make a paste of salt and water and apply it with the help of cotton ball in the affected area. Leave it for 10-15 minutes and then wash it off with water. It must be done twice daily until the ingrown hair gets cured. Alternatively, mix some Epsom salt in bathing water and soak yourself in it. It will help loosen the ingrown hair and bring them to the surface. Do not use this remedy if your skin is sensitive to salt.

#8 Lemon Juice

Apply some lemon juice on the ingrown hair and leave it till it dries off. Wash off with lukewarm water afterward. Take care not to use this remedy, if you have sensitive skin.

#9 Potato Peel

Peel a potato and use the fleshy inner side to cover up the affected area. Secure the peel with a band-aid, if required. Leave it for 24 hours. It is very effective in bringing out the hair on the surface.

#10 Black Tea Bags

The tannic acid in black tea helps get rid of redness, inflammation, and itching. It also soothes the skin. Moisten a tea bag in water. Either keep or rub it over the affected area.Alternatively, steep a tea bag in a cup of water for 5 minutes. Strain the mixture and add coconut water to it. Soak a cotton ball in this mixture and apply it over the affected area. Do it for at least a week to alleviate the irritated skin.

#11 Apple Cider Vinegar

Dunk a cotton ball in apple cider vinegar and apply it directly to the affected area. People with sensitive skin must dilute the ACV with some water before application.

#12 Warm Compress

Soak a towel in the hot water. Squeeze it. Put it on the affected area. Repeat it several times a day, until you find the tip of the hair coming out of the skin.

#13 Coffee

Make a paste of coffee and lukewarm water. Employ it to the affected area in circular motion. Leave it for 10-15 minutes and then wash it off with lukewarm water.

#14 Yogurt

Mix 1 tbsp of yogurt and 1½ tbsp of honey. Apply the mixture. Leave it for 15 minutes and then wash off with cold water. This remedy must be repeated at least 3-4 times daily to fight the problem of ingrown hair.

#15 Castor Oil

Apply some castor oil on the affected area, with the help of a cotton ball. Leave it for 15-20 minutes. Then take a wet wash cloth. Wring out the excess water. Wipe the area with it. Repeating this remedy 2-3 times a day will help you get rid of ingrown hair fast.

#16 Garlic

Garlic is an easily available ingredient and is helpful in getting rid of ingrown hair. Apply the paste of crushed garlic over the affected area and secure it with the help of a bandage. Leave it for 30-45 minutes and then wash off with mild soap and water. Repeat this twice a day