I've always had a problem with ingrown hairs, as I have very straight and fine hair that sometimes just doesn;t seem ablt to 'push through'. They are a pain, but I can deal it.
What I'm struggling with though is a more recent (about 5 year) issue with getting a hard lump (generally around jaw line, on cheek, below side-burn or just below lip). I know it won't go away naturally (unlike normal spots) and if I can squeeze it without destroying my skin what comes out is either
1) a little egg-like thing with a hair attached (often translucent, yet I have very dark hair)
2) a load of sebum eventually followed by an immature hair
3) a hair with most of it surrounded by a sort of jelly-like substance
4) sometimes just a complete mess of hair(s), a hard lump of something, bit of blood
5) just a sort of jellp tube
6) a really thick, almost animal-hair
7) nothing comes out, but I know there's something deep that will worsen over time
I just do not understand what's going on. Sometimes I get none for weeks, other times a few at the same time for a while. There doesn't seem to be any pattern/dietary issue. I've taken to a bit of a routine of proper face cleaning every night with face scrub, a clean pillow and sleeping on my back, but it still occurs, if less often. The only real way of dealing with the 'spots' I've found is if there is an obvious pore involved. If so I can insert a very sharp needle into the pore (i.e. without breaking the skin) and then if I squeeze gently one of above will come out - usually to return at some point). If there's no pore, I'm learning to leave it alone as only messes up my face.
This has been a nightmare for me for years - and at times left my face a warzone and me not wanting to face the world. I'm not in a job where I can grow a beard. I really don't want to pick (i.e I'm not obsessive), but I know that if I leave them they only get worse.