Ingrown hairs and pimples also have different causes. Although they both can cause a red bump, ingrown hair occurs when the hair curls back into the skin. With a pimple, a pore gets clogged with oil.
Because their causes and treatments are different, it’s important to be able to identify them correctly.
This article explains the differences between pimples and ingrown hairs. It also covers the causes, symptoms, and treatments for both.
Ingrown Hairs vs Pimples
How can you tell if a red bump is an ingrown hair or a pimple? There are clues to look for that can help you determine whether a breakout is due to acne or ingrown hairs. The location is especially important.
Identifying Ingrown Hairs
You have a chance of developing ingrown hairs in whatever areas you shave, wax, or tweeze. Hair removal can leave hairs with sharp edges. This can make it easier for the hair to curl back into the skin, instead of growing out of the pore.
Ingrown hairs are most commonly found on:
The upper lip and beard areaThe scalpThe legsThe underarms
Just like pimples, ingrown hairs can hurt. You may even be able to see the hair just under the surface of the skin or in the swollen head of the blemish.
Identifying Pimples
If you have breakouts where you don’t shave, tweeze, or wax, it’s likely acne. Pimples are common on the:
Forehead and sides of the faceNoseBackChestShouldersNeck
When checking the blemish, look carefully to make sure you don’t see a hair trapped just beneath the surface of the skin. If you don’t see a hair and it’s not located on an area where you’ve removed hair, it’s likely a pimple.
What Causes Ingrown Hairs and Pimples
Pimples and ingrown hairs have different causes. Understanding what these are can help you prevent and treat them appropriately.
How Pimples Develop
A pimple is a skin bump that is often red, swollen, and irritated. A pimple forms when a plug of oil and dead skin cells block the opening of the pore. Bacteria may grow in the blocked pore, causing a pimple to develop.
How Ingrown Hairs Develop
Ingrown hairs develop in the hair follicles, deeper down in the skin compared to pimples. Unlike pimples, ingrown hairs aren’t formed by a pore blockage. Instead, it’s the hair itself that causes a problem.
With an ingrown hair, the hair grows back into the skin instead of out of the pore. This can lead to redness, swelling, and sometimes pus, which can look a lot like a pimple.
How Do You Treat an Ingrown Hair?
Some ingrown hairs may heal themselves with time. Treatment options for ingrown hairs may include:
Using a face or body scrub to prevent hairs from becoming trappedUsing shaving cream and shaving in the direction of the hair growthLimiting shaving, waxing, and tweezing
Treating with topical antibiotics or benzoyl peroxide cleansers can also sometimes help prevent ingrown hairs.
If you have a lot of ingrown hairs, if they are painful, infected, and/or are causing skin darkening known as hyperpigmentation, you may want to reach out to a medical professional. They may offer you prescription medications such as tretinoin or topical antibiotics to help your skin heal.
How to Treat Acne
If your breakouts are minor, over-the-counter acne products containing salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide may improve blemishes.
Highly irritated or widespread breakouts should be treated by a skin, hair, and nails doctor known as a dermatologist. They may offer you prescription medications depending on your specific needs.
Summary
Both ingrown hairs and pimples may look like red bumps that are swollen and irritated. To tell the difference, it’s best to pay attention to the location of the bump. If it’s in an area where you have removed hair and you notice a hair trapped just beneath the skin’s surface, it’s likely an ingrown hair.
Ingrown hairs and pimples are caused by different factors. Ingrown hairs usually develop after hair removal, which can lead hairs to curl back into the pore. With pimples, oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria build up and block the pore.
You can usually treat ingrown hairs and pimples at home with over-the-counter treatments. If you experience more severe pimple or ingrown hair breakouts, it’s best to see a dermatologist.
A Word From Verywell
Ingrown hairs and pimples can look similar. If you’re not sure if you have acne or ingrown hairs, give your healthcare provider a call. Your practitioner will be able to let you know exactly what is going on with your skin and help you create a plan to treat it.
Use a single-blade razor. Shave after or while showering so the steam can help soften individual hairs. Shave in the direction hair grows. Regularly use an over-the-counter exfoliant, such as salicylic acid, to get rid of dead skin cells that can clog pores.
