Baking Soda for Ingrown Hair – Does it Work?

Ingrown hairs are hairs that have grown back into the skin instead of rising from it. Ingrown hair(1) occurs when dead skin clogs the hair follicle forcing the growing hair to grow sideways. An ingrown hair produces a raised red bump that is similar to a pimple. Ingrown hair can sometimes form an itchy and painful boil-like sore. An ingrown hair often disappears on its own but, if you have a stubborn ingrown hair that is itchy and painful, you can try exfoliating to remove the skin covering it and then use a pair of sterile tweezers to pull the hair loose.(2)

Is Baking Soda Good for Ingrown Hairs?

• Exfoliating your skin before waxing and shaving can help avoid ingrown hairs.
• Plucking the ingrown hair with your nails can cause infections. Ingrown hair heals by itself, but it can sometimes be infected leaving behind a dark scar especially if you have been trying to pick it.
• Baking soda is the most effective product in getting rid of ingrown hairs. It exfoliates the skin to expose the ingrown hair and alleviate the discomfort caused due to itching.
• Baking soda has anti-inflammatory properties that reduce redness of the bump and provide a soothing effect.
• The anti fungal properties in baking soda prevent infections that may be caused by pus formed around the ingrown hair.(3)

How to Use Baking Soda for Ingrown Hair

Baking soda paste is applied on the affected skin and allowed to stay for some minutes before washing it off. Apply the baking soda paste twice in a day. After rinsing off the paste make sure to apply moisturizers to prevent the skin from drying.

1. Apple Cider Vinegar and Baking Soda for Ingrown Hair

Ingredients:

• Baking soda
• Organic apple cider vinegar
• Raw honey

How to do:

• Mix 1 teaspoon of baking soda, one teaspoon of organic apple cider vinegar and two teaspoons of raw honey(4).
• Apply the paste on the infected area and leave it to mask for about 10 to 15 minutes and then rinse it off with warm water.

How it works: When baking soda exfoliates the skin, apple cider vinegar shrinks the pores.

Repetitions: For better results, apply the paste twice in a day.

[ Read: How to Use Tea Tree oil for Ingrown Hair ]

2. Coconut Oil and Baking Soda for Ingrown Hair

Ingredients:

• Baking soda
• Coconut oil

How to do:

• Mix 2 teaspoon of coconut oil with one teaspoon of baking soda and stir until you get a paste.
• Apply the paste on the infected area and leave it to mask for about 5 minutes and then wash it off with warm water.(5)

How it works: A combination of baking soda with coconut oil not only exfoliates the skin but also heals infections.

Tip: Apply moisturizer to the treated area to prevent the skin from drying.

Repetitions: For fast results, apply the paste twice in a day.

[ Read: Baking Soda for Hair Removal ]

3. Tea Tree Oil and Baking Soda for Ingrown Hair

Ingredients:

• Baking soda
• Tea tree oil

How to do:

• Mix one teaspoon of baking soda with two teaspoons of Tea tree oil in a bowl and stir until you get a paste.
• Apply the paste on the infected area and leave it to mask for about 5 to 10 minutes and then wash it with warm water.
• Apply moisturizers after rinsing the skin to prevent the skin from drying.(6)

How it works: A combination of tea tree oil and baking soda help exfoliate the skin and heal the infected tissues.

Repetitions: For fast results, apply the paste twice in a day.

[ Read: Turmeric for Facial Hair Removal ]

4. Baking Soda and Peroxide for Ingrown Hair

Ingredients:

• Baking soda
• Hydrogen peroxide

How to do:

• Mix one teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide with one teaspoon of baking soda in a bowl. Stir until you have a uniform paste.
• Apply the paste on the infected area and leave it to mask for 5 minutes before washing it with warm water.
• Apply moisturizers to prevent the skin from drying.

How it works: A combination of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda not only exfoliates the skin but also eliminates bacteria’s allowing the tissues to heal quickly.

Repetitions: For better results, apply the paste twice in a day.

[ Read: Dry Brushing Benefits for Skin ]

5. Baking Soda and Water for Ingrown Hair

Ingredients:

• Baking soda
• Water

How to do:

• Mix one teaspoon of baking soda with enough water to form a thin paste.
• Apply the paste on the infected area and leave it for about 5 minutes before washing it off.
• Apply moisturizers to prevent the skin from drying. Applying this paste helps remove the dead skin clogged in the hair follicle to expose the hair.

Using baking soda to exfoliate the skin on the area affected with ingrown hair triggers natural healing of the red bumps without leaving black scars behind. Always remember to moisturize your skin after exfoliation to prevent the skin from drying.(7)

Best Ingrown Hair Treatments

Scientific Evidence:

• Ingrowing Hair- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4902536/
• Antibacterial activity of baking soda- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12017929/
• Preventing Ingrown Hairs- https://www.news-medical.net/health/Preventing-Ingrown-Hairs.aspx#:~:text=Make%20a%20solution%20with%201,cold%20water%20wash%20the%20area.
• Honey: its medicinal property and antibacterial activity- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3609166/
• Coconut Oil- https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/food-features/coconut-oil/
• Herbal Treatment for Dermatologic Disorders- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92761/
• Ingrown Hairs Removal- https://llc.uk.com/laser-hair-removal/ingrown-hairs/home-treatment-for-ingrown-hairs/

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