i have severe ingrown hairs that just wont go away..help?

Hello,

I have the the same issue. It used to only happen every now and then, my grandmother, mother, and sister all get these pretty bad, but for the last year or 2 they won't go away. If i'm lucky, things might clear up for a few days, but then another breakout with 2 or 3 more pop up. I've tried to research my options, but i don't feel that they help. I may trim the hair down using an electric razor but that's not frequent and i never use a razor or chemical removal options so i'm not getting these because i'm shaving or removing hair, this is just how it's growing i guess. I'm also seriously considering laser hair removal because i'm at a point where i'm tired of dealing with the mess, but even laser hair removal is not an option if i can't go more than a week without a breakout because the skin is broken most of the time. I've asked my dr just to be sure and she did confirm they're just hair bumps and to go over them with warm water and wash cloth, but that's not enough. Is there anything that can be done? can a dr possiblly refer you to laser hair removal if it's bad enough? I'm at my breaking point

If you are prone to chronic ingrown hair, you do have a few options:
1. Change the way you remove unwanted hair: instead of shaving or tweezing, use scissors to clip hair short in prone areas
2. Opt for hair removal methods that do not promote ingrown hair (remove hair follicle instead of only hair), such as laser hair removal
3. Do not remove the hair that is in an ingrown-hair-prone area

The Mayo Clinic's Ingrown Hair had some great tips on how to release an ingrown hair that is already present, as well as hair removal tips to prevent ingrown hair from forming.

To release ingrown hairs, you can:
* Wash the affected area using a washcloth or soft-bristled toothbrush, using a circular motion, for several minutes before shaving and at bedtime
* Use a sterile needle, inserting it under hair loops, to gently lift hair tips that are embedded in your skin

To help prevent ingrown hairs, use hair removal methods that make ingrown hairs less likely.
If you shave:
* Wet the hair to be removed with warm water
* Avoid close shaves
* Use a lubricating shave gel
* Use a single-blade razor
* Use a sharp blade
* Don't pull your skin taut while shaving
* Shave in the direction of hair growth
* Rinse the blade after each stroke
* Apply cool compresses to the shaved area when you're finished

Other methods of hair removal include:
* Electric razor. Avoid the closest shave setting.
* Chemical hair remover. The chemicals may irritate your skin, so test on a small area first.
* Eflornithine hydrochloride cream (Vaniqa). Not actually a hair remover, this prescription cream decreases hair growth in women. It must be used with another hair removal method.

If you are worried about ingrown hair that is chronic, you may also talk with your doctor (dermatologist) about hair removal options, as scarring can occur in chronic situations.