Brett
...sound like what I've endured for years - acne vulgaris, or as my first doctor willing to treat vs. diagnose says "folliculitis". The ingrown hairs are a perfect example of this malady, & he has had me on Tetracycline 500mg twice-a-day for two years now. It keeps me from breaking out with boils, painful 'zits' that get huge, & take forever to pop or dry up... Other courses of action would be clindamycin, or Retin-A, a topical preparation known for its effectiveness against acne. Don't feel bad, as you're not the lone ranger, I'm 43, & had these problems since age 13... Best of luck, Brett