Though ingrown hairs and pimples look similar on the outside, the causes and symptoms of these two conditions can be very different. Ingrown hairs are caused by a hair follicle being blocked by dead skin cells or a hair being cut too short, causing the hair to grow sideways into the skin rather than straight up and out of the follicle. Your body responds by becoming inflamed and irritated, leading to itching, redness, and pain.
On the other hand, acne is caused by dead skin cells and natural oil blocking the opening to a pore, which allows bacteria on the inside to replicate. Your body responds by attacking this tiny infection, leading to redness and inflammation.
You can tell the difference between these two conditions by paying attention to where and when you develop the small, red bumps. If they are occurring in places where you are consistently shaving, the blemishes are likely ingrown hairs. If they are occurring in places where you are not shaving, they are more likely to be pimples.
Have more questions? See more answers from Alot.
