How to prevent ingrown hairs

how to get rid off ingrown hairs

Ingrown hairs is a common condition that happens after shaving. It can affect everyone who shaves, waxes or uses other hair removal techniques. The consequence of ingrown hair is an inflammation, bumps on the skin and pimples. The most common area of ingrown hair in women are pubic areas, legs, armpits. 

People with thicker, darker hairs tend to develop ingrown hairs more often than people with light hairs. Especially, a pubic area can be the most challenging for those, who wears tight clothes. In addition, if you workout a lot during summer time and tend to sweat more, it can be a night mare. The symptoms begin with a swelling, redness, itching. 

Prevention

Exfoliate before shaving

This is a game changer. Exfoliating really makes miracles. It removes your built-up dead skin. However, don’t use any exfoliators that can make your skin too sensitive before shaving. For example, don’t exfoliate with a sea salt scrub just before shaving. You can use this scrub a few days after and it works great, however, a combination of sea salt scrub with fresh shaving can cause pimples and can irritate the skin. 

Heat up the skin

Prepare your skin by using a hot towel before you shave. You can also shave after a shower. Heat opens up your pores so the skin will get less irritated.

Use suitable shaving cream whilst removing the hair

Cover your hair with a gel or shaving foam for easier removal. Remember – never shave on dry skin or just with water. It will cause irritation and ingrown hairs very easily. 

Use a sharp razor

The razor should be sharp and clean. Don’t use a blunt razor. It will pick the hair and irritate it by pulling it. 

Shave in the direction of hair growth

To avoid razor bumps, never shave against the grain. To reduce force on your hair, hydrate your skin for at least 3minutes before shaving, it reduces the force by 70%.

Don’t shave too close 

Don’t make pressure on your skin whilst shaving. It will cause injury to your skin and it can let bacteria get into your skin. Consequently, you will create an infection that causes pimples, bumps and ingrown hairs. 

Apply after care lotion after shaving

After shaving, let your skin to rest for a bit and then apply after shaving care. Don’t rub it when your skin is still wet or warm from shower as it will clog your pores and it can cause inflammation. 

Wear lose clothes

If you shave the same day that you are just heading out, don’t wear tight clothes. It will rub your skin, irritate it and you will end up with pimples, red bumps and consequently you will feel frustrated. 

Shaving options

Razors

Electric shavers

Epilators and shaver in one

Hair removal creams

Laser removal

Wax

Tips to heal ingrown hairs faster

Never pick the ingrown hair

Leave them alone, don’t pick it all the time. it will just cause getting more bacteria into your skin and keep you irritated.

Don’t squeeze bumps that appear with an ingrown hair

By squeezing these bumps, you can make the bump even worse. Last but not least you can create a scar or pigmentation that might never go away or slightly fade with a very long time. Use the right skin care and be patient.

For example – tea tree oil is a great antibacterial treatment. However, don’t over use it. Tea tree oil can thin your skin and cause scars and dark spots. Be mindful of the use. A perfect treatment seems to be a special cream that has a combination of honey with tea tree that has an antibacterial effect and don’t leave your skin too dry and it will heal it. It is called Comvita wound gel. It really works well.

Don’t use oils or vaselines that clog your pores

If you suffer from ingrown hairs, don’t use too many oils or thick creams. If you have a dry skin, you can use it ocassionally but don’t apply it on freshly shaved skin. Remember that your pores need to breathe. Covering them all the time will stuck the bacterias inside and causes pimples and redness.

Be mindful with AHA acids

They are great antibacterial treatment and exfoliators, however, if you have an open wound, don’t use it. They will thinner the skin which will create a spot that will darken especially if you go on sun. 

They also tend to make your skin more dry and make it peel. By too frequent use, your skin will peel more and not be able to naturally heal and you might end up with scarring or flaky skin. 

How to heal existing bumps and scars

Don’t use too hot shower and try to limit your shower time if you have existing scars or open wounds. Then just apply Comvita wound gel and don’t pick it!

For bumps – use tea tree oil roll-on or antibacterial cream and wear lose clothes until it is healed.

Try to limit tight clothes whilst having bumps or scars. It will just rub your skin over and over and it will take ages to heal it. 

Don’t squeeze them as it will cause inflammation and it can also increase the size of the bump by swelling. However, you can squeeze it if the skin is ready and only if it is easy to pop. It is up to you to take this risk as it might create some inflammation and redness. If you squeeze the bump and it hurts, definitely leave it and be patient with the healing process. 

Recommended products

Tisserand Tea Tree & Aloe Skin Rescue Stick 8ml

Pai Skincare Rosehip Bioregenerate, Rosehip Seed and Fruit Universal Face Oil 10ml

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% 30ml

The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 Hydration Support 30ml

The Ordinary Retinol Serum 0.5% in Squalane 30ml

Dr Dennis Gross Skincare Ferulic and Retinol Anti-Ageing Moisturizer 50ml

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