Quote[/b] ]that's crap.
an ingrown hair irritates the skin and causes a local reaction. the irritated tissue can abscess. typically, the abscess will be very small and contain a batch of white cells that have rushed to the area to fend off the irritation. usually pressure will build and the offending intruder will be expelled with what we call "puss". same thing happens with splinters etc. if the offending item is not expelled, the body will try to wall it off and build scar tissue around it.
SOMETIMES the area will get infected. this usually happens because the hair, splinter, etc. has taken some bacteria into the wound with it.
if your friend had put honey ON it, it might have gotten better faster! honey has antibacterial properties. they are similar to hydrogen peroxide, but much milder.