Ingrown Hairs: Causes, Prevention & Treatment
Ingrown hairs occur when a hair becomes trapped beneath the skin instead of growing outward, leading to bumps, redness, irritation, and discomfort. Whether you shave, wax, use sugaring, or undergo laser hair removal, these tips can help prevent and treat ingrown hairs for smoother skin.
What causes irritation, bumps, or ingrown hairs?
This happens following any hair removal treatment, when the new hair is trying to grown and pierce the skin, but instead becomes trapped under the skin because of dead skin clogging up the hair follicles. This tends to be more frequent for people who have thick, curly, coarse hair.
How to prevent ingrown hairs before hair removal?
- Your skin should be healthy and clean before any hair removal treatment.
- If you exfoliate regularly, do so gently, and preferably not on the day you are going to shave or wax.
- Don’t use your retinol products for 2-3 days before your (facial) hair removal treatment.
- If shaving daily, make sure to warm up your skin before using your razor as this will help to open up the hair follicles and soften the keratin plugs.
- If shaving, regardless of gender, avoid dull blades and use a razor made for male skin. These still tend to offer the best technology on the market.
How to prevent ingrown hairs after hair removal?
- Use an anti-inflammatory soothing gel to help heal the skin post hair removal. We swear by our Skin Repair Gel, for face, neck, scalp, and body. This product is perfect for the most sensitive areas including bikini.
- In the case of body hair removal, avoid any super tight clothing that might rub on the treated area for a day or two.
- Avoid hot baths or showers for 24 hours following your hair removal treatment (again, this is particularly relevant to body hair removal).
How to treat ingrown hairs?
- Whatever, you do, don't pick.
- Exfoliate the skin very gently. Our Gentle Refining Scrub is perfect for this, on face or body, as it simultaneously nourishes the skin.
- Use soothing, anti-inflammatory products. Our Skin Repair Gel, powered by anti-inflammatory rosemary and turmeric, will help heal razor bumps, post hair removal irritation, and ingrown hairs.
