What should you know about an ingrown hair and a keloid?

An ingrown hair usually begins as a follicle bump after shaving, waxing, or friction. A keloid is firmer scar tissue that develops after skin injury and can continue enlarging after the original spot has healed. It may itch, feel tender, or differ in colour from nearby skin. A persistent lump is not automatically a keloid; acne, an inflamed follicle, and other skin lumps can look similar.

Do not pick the ingrown hair or cut into a raised scar. Pause close hair removal over active inflammation and reduce rubbing. A dermatologist can examine the texture, borders, and history of the lesion. Depending on the diagnosis, options may include steroid injection into the skin, pulsed dye or fractional laser treatment, cryotherapy, or surgery. Treatment choice depends on the scar and the risk of it returning.

Book a review if a bump keeps enlarging, becomes firm, extends beyond the original ingrown-hair site, or causes persistent itch or pain. Seek prompt care for pus, marked warmth, spreading redness, or fever. Early review helps separate active inflammation from scar tissue and avoids unnecessary self-treatment.

Ask whether the lesion is a keloid, hypertrophic scar, ingrown hair, or another lump. Discuss expected benefits and drawbacks of injections, lasers, freezing, or excision, and ask how recurrence would be monitored.