An ingrown hair abscess, or irritation of hair follicle, is a small, pus-filled bump that forms around an ingrown hair. Ingrown hairs occur when the tip of a hair curls back and re-enters the skin, which can happen after shaving, tweezing, or waxing. While not typically serious, ingrown hairs can be painful and can lead to infection, especially if the affected area is not kept clean.
Ingrown hair abscesses are a common problem that can affect people of all ages and skin types. They are often mistaken for pimples or boils, but they are actually caused by the body's natural response to a foreign object, in this case, the ingrown hair shaft. Ingrown hair abscesses can occur anywhere on the body where there is hair, but they are most common on the face, neck, chest, back, and legs.
