Simply put, ingrown hairs grow back into the skin instead of up and out of the skin’s surface. Ingrown hairs often look like red + irritated bumps, and if infected, can form into pus-filled bumps (pustules). Because pubic hair is often more coarse and curly than the hair on any other part of the body, it’s common for ingrown pubic hair bumps to pop-up after hair removal. Ingrown hairs on the vulva can also be caused by over-shaving. 

When a hair begins to grow inward rather than outward, it triggers an immune response telling your body to react to the ingrown pubic hair as if it were a foreign invader. This may lead to itching, redness, pain, or swelling. Ingrown hair in the pubic area/bikini line can also be caused or made worse by chafing from working out, any type of rubbing skin-on-skin or cloth-on-skin, and/or friction during sex.

Folliculitis is inflammation and infection of the hair follicles. In the absence of proper treatment, it can become chronic. The symptoms of folliculitis are typically similar to those of a pimple, which are red, inflamed, and infected pustules. Usually, infected hair follicles start isolated, but they can spread rapidly. Disruption of the 'cap' or scab can cause the bacteria to spread and heighten the infection. The severity of folliculitis varies from mild to acute. Folliculitis is usually a bacterial infection, but there is also fungal Folliculitis.