Is That An Ingrown Hair on Your Penis? How to Identify and Fix These Annoying Agitators

Ingrown hairs pop up everywhere. And why? Well, because most men have hair erupting all over their bodies. While not limited to shave-only places, ingrown hairs happen most often in areas where men shave. This includes the pot of gold that is a man’s family jewels. An ingrown hair on the penis is the exact same thing as it is on any other part of the body; it happens when the tip of a hair curls and grows back into the skin or hair follicle. This little hair can cause a painful, itchy bump to emerge. Sometimes it can even fill up with pus when it gets infected. Less than awesome, right? Let’s talk about ingrown hairs on the penis, from how they happen to how to fix and prevent them.

Ingrown Hair on the Penis: Symptoms

In this particular region, ingrown hairs can present as red bumps on the penis. They can show up anywhere in the area and are often painful to the touch. They can resemble pimples or cysts. Some are pretty minor, while others can fill with pus of many colors and ooze when irritated. If a man has eagle-eye vision, he may be able to see the small semblance of the unruly hair in it.

Ingrown Hair on the Penis: Causes

Ingrown hairs on the penis can be caused in several ways. The biggest reason would be, of course, shaving, but other things can cause these red bumps on the penis. Here are some things, besides shaving, that can erupt these pesky buggers:

1) Dry skin - When the hair follicle is clogged up with dead skin cells, the hair can’t grow straight and usually gets pushed sideways back into the skin.

2) Thick and/or curly hair - Sorry, all of you dudes with massive manes.

3) Keratosis pilaris - Also known as chicken skin, this skin condition causes excess keratin in the skin, which can turn into bumps and close up hair follicles.

4) Shaving protocols - In addition to just shaving, doing it too much or without the right prep and technique can also increase a man’s risk of getting ingrown hairs on his penis.

Ingrown Hair on the Penis: Treatment

Most times, ingrown hairs take care of themselves. However, if you want immediate relief, here are a few ways to help the hair emerge:

- Wash the area and your hands with antibacterial soap before touching the parts to be shaved

- Use a warm compress to relax the follicle and try to coax the offending hair closer to the surface of the bump

- Treat the area with an acne product made with only salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide, which will reduce swelling and encourage the follicle to open up and free the hair

- Using a pair of tweezers or a pin (be sure to sterilize first), drain the pus and guide the hair out of its shell, but don’t pull it all the way out at the root

- Apply tea tree oil or antibacterial ointment to keep bacteria out

- If it itches, use a hydrocortisone ointment

- Don’t shave or wax the area until it is fully healed

Ingrown Hair on the Penis: Big No-Nos!

Ingrown hairs can be itchy and irritating, and it’s natural to want to destroy them. Here are things you DON’T want to do, however, or else you could make matters worse:

- Don’t scratch

- Don’t pick or try to pop them

- Don’t wear tight underwear

- Dry off immediately after swimming, bathing, or sweating

Failing to obey that in the above list could lead to

- Bacterial infections

- Fungal infections

- Genital boils

- Swollen lymph nodes

- Scarring

- Staph infection (specifically sycosis barbae)

Ingrown Hair on the Penis: Prevention

There are many ways to avoid ingrown hairs on the penis. Start by waxing or shaving the area less often, and when you do shave, be sure to do so correctly and carefully. Always use a sharp blade and a shaving gel or oil. Soften the hair by soaking it in warm water for at least 5 minutes. When shaving, shave in the direction of hair growth, not against it. In between shaves, be sure skin is gently exfoliated to remove dead skin. Use a product like Tend Skin immediately after shaving or waxing to minimize ingrown hairs. If you shave or wax a lot, consider investing in laser hair removal.

Finally, use a specially formulated penis health oil (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which has been clinically proven safe and mild for skin) to prevent ingrown hairs on the penis. It has vitamins and nutrients that gently exfoliate the skin and keep bacteria at bay. Use at least once per day for the best results.

Ingrown Hair on the Penis 101: What, Why, and How to Get Rid of Them

When a man sees bumps on his penis, it’s likely he might worry he has a communicable disease. However, one of the most common causes of these little annoyances are ingrown hairs on the penis. Thankfully, ingrown hairs aren't serious. There are many reasons they pop up and even more ways to treat and prevent them. But they can be irritating and embarrassing. Let’s breakdown theses pesky bumps on the penis and how to banish them from the bush.

What are Ingrown Hairs?

Ingrown hairs are hairs that have somehow curled up and grown back into the skin rather than rising up from it. This then irritates the skin and produces a raised, often red bump on the penis that resembles a pimple. If it gets infected, it can evolve into a painful, angry, sometimes puss-filled sore.

Ingrown hairs can appear anywhere on the body where hair follicles reside. Ingrown hairs on the penis, however, are probably the most painful simply because of the compression of pants and constant rubbing the area often is subject to during the day.

How Do Ingrown Hairs on the Penis Happen?

Ingrown hairs on the penis often happen as the result of manscaping with a clipper, shaver, or razor. Often times, a cluster will show up in an area. Sometimes, dead skin can clog a hair follicle which then forces the hair to grow sideways and under the skin.

Any man can get an get an ingrown hair on his penis, but the problem is more common for people with curly and course hair types. Since the hair is already curly, it is more likely to curl back into the skin. People with high-levels of certain hormones can also have excessive hair growth which can also increase the likelihood of ingrown hairs on the penis. Men of African-American and Latino heritage are also more likely to have painful ingrown hairs.

Treatment

Oftentimes, an ingrown hair will retreat on its own. However, if it doesn’t, it can get infected resulting in an angry, dark red or purple bump on the penis that may need intervention. The best way to treat an ingrown hair on the penis is to start by not picking or scratching at it which can cause infection. Sometimes a doctor will need to use a small needle or scalpel to release the hair or prescribe a retinoid to bring down the swelling and irritation. It works by removing the dead skin cells and release the hair.

Prevention

There are several ways to prevent ingrown hairs. Here are a few:

- Exfoliate prior to shaving using a gentle scrub on the area around the penis (not on it). Exfoliate gently, but with purpose to “tease out” the more stubborn ingrown hairs.

- Shave with a single-bladed razor. The more blades, the higher instance of nicks and ingrown hairs.

- Wet this skin with warm water for two minutes prior to shaving, then apply a shaving oil or gel. Shave in the direction of hair growth using as few strokes as possible.

- When using an electric razor, hold it slight above the area being shaved.

- Apply a cool washcloth to the area to reduce irritation and close the pores after shaving.

Some people also opt to wax or depil hair. People with a high likelihood or low tolerance for ingrown hairs can have the hair permanently removed with a special laser. Other men choose to use a specially formulated male organ health creme (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which has been clinically proven safe and mild for skin) that contains vitamins and amino acids which fortify and protect the skin. These crèmes provide protection from the elements and promote cellular regeneration, decreasing the buildup of dead cells which can cause ingrown hairs on the penis.