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Ingrown hairs are one of the leading causes of blemishes on the skin following a hair removal session. In this article, we’ll show you how to avoid the pain and disappointment of having to deal with them.

This article is especially important for those with sensitive skin, and has been written in large part for those who frequently encounter ingrown hairs, razor bumps, or other blemishes following hair removal.

Recognizing Ingrown Hairs

So first and foremost, how do you know whether or not that blemish that appeared after shaving is an ingrown hair or not.

Well, a lot of is has to do with where the blemish occurs; be that the face or neck rather than your legs or pubic region.

With that said, more often than not, if you find a blemish following hair removal on an area of the skin you wouldn’t normally expect to see blemishes, you’ve probably run into an ingrown hair.

Regardless, ingrown hairs, razor bumps, and acne, all have overlap which responds well to each of the treatments listed below, so let’s get into it.

Exfoliating

Understand that ingrown hairs occur because of a blockage in the path of typical hair regrowth. This can happen for a variety of reasons, but one surefire technique for helping to clear that path for hair growth is exfoliating.

Exfoliating can help you to clear dead skin cells off of the surface of your skin, unclog your pores, and create a smoother, softer environment for your hair.

Exfoliating can also do wonders for your skin in the case of trapped oil leading to acne. We wrote an article here on a bunch of tips for effectively exfoliating your skin, but let’s briefly sum it up:

• Using mechanical exfoliants like body scrubs can help to clear your skin and make it smoother or softer
• Using a loofah or pouf in the shower can exfoliate your skin before and after hair removal
• Using moisturizing body washes can help to keep your skin hydrated and reduce irritation
• Using a dry brush works exactly like a shaving brush would to provide additional exfoliation to your skin
• Exfoliating regularly will lead to softer hair, reducing the overall likelihood of ingrown hairs, especially in areas with thick, coarse hair

Don’t Just Exfoliate Afterwards!

Know that exfoliating isn’t something you should just be doing after you shave. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a must for your post-shave ritual–especially if you’re somebody that struggles with ingrown hairs.

Exfoliating before shaving will also lower your chances of getting ingrown hairs, and give you a healthier, smoother environment to shave in.

This is because the process of exfoliating will help to ensure you get rid of existing dead skin cells, dirt, and other bacteria, which, in turn, won’t then become trapped in your skin as you shave.

Bathing Before and After

Remember that a big part of avoiding ingrown hairs and other skin blemishes that may or may not result from hair removal is generally cleanliness.

Taking care of your skin regularly is a big part of ensuring it stays healthy and isn’t prone to blemishes or infections. In fact, if you frequently encounter these sorts of problems, it could be your skin telling you to take care of things a little differently!

Bathing before hair removal allows you to soften up the skin and hair you’ll be focussing on. Not to mention, bathing obviously removes dirt and grime that may interfere with this process.

Specifically on this note, baths can help to provide extraordinary benefit to your skin as a pre-shave ritual.

Bathing after shaving also has it’s benefits, however, with helping to reduce irritation and provide an outlet to better clean your skin.

Washing up with a nice moisturizing body wash during your post-shave routine can work wonders for avoiding ingrown hairs.

Reducing Irritation

The practice of recognizing and reducing skin irritation is going to be key in avoiding most any blemish following a cosmetic procedure on the skin.

Pay attention here for redness, painful bumps or bleeding, all during or in the day or two after interacting with your skin.

These are all signs that trouble is brewing, and steps should be taken–sooner than later–to reduce the potential for irritation.

Reducing skin irritation is important because enflamed, irritated skin is much more likely to cause blockages in adjacent hair follicles, or breakouts on the surface of the skin.

To reduce irritation on your skin, try:

• Using fragrance-free moisturizers or moisturizing body washes
• Wearing loose-fitting clothes and avoiding constricting your skin
• Avoiding sitting or lying on the irritated areas for long periods
• Applying a cold compress to the irritated area
• Applying cooling agents, such as menthol or calamine
• Drinking enough water
• Eating food, including leafy greens, that are rich in vitamins A, C, and E
• Getting adequate amounts of sleep

Techniques for Shaving

One of the most important bases to cover when addressing ingrown hairs that appear shortly after shaving is to ensure you’re shaving properly.

Don’t shave with old, dull razors. This can certainly lead to a greater chance of ingrown hairs, along with the risk of cutting or nicking your skin.

Traditionally, advice is given on the idea of shaving with the grain, and avoiding getting too close of a shave. However, this idea contrasts greatly with the goal of hair removal in relation to looking more feminine.

Instead, try shaving with razors that have fewer razors on the head. Mechanical store-bought razors can have five or more razors on the head, with each of these dragging against your skin every single time you go over the area you shave.

When shaving, try to:

• Avoid going over the area you’re shaving multiple times
• Rise the razor after every stroke
• Practice the exfoliating techniques listed above to soften your hair and cleanse your skin
• Never shave without shaving gel, cream, or foam
• Try shaving with razors that have fewer blades, ones designed specifically for sensitive skin, or the female bikini region
• Ensure you’re reducing irritation using the techniques listed above

Hair Removal Without Shaving

If you find that the above doesn’t help, or that you’ve already given these tips a try in the past, don’t worry!

There are many other ways to remove the hair on your body. Several of these techniques work better, work faster, are more cost effective, or have longer-lasting results.

Some of your other options for hair removal include (but are not limited to):

• Using an epilator
• Using hair removal creams (like NAIR, Veet, or Nads)
• Using a body trimmer that gets close to the skin
• Using an IPL device
• Using an at-home waxing kit
• Using salon hair-removal treatments (such as laser hair removal or professional waxing)

Tea Tree Oil

Now we’re onto something that has been a miracle cure for ingrown hairs, at least for me.

Tea tree oil is a natural solution for preventing and resolving ingrown hairs and other skin-related blemishes.

Depending on how well your skin takes to the oil solution, some people report seeing a partial (or in some cases a complete reduction) in ingrown hairs and razor bumps in just a matter of a couple hours.

Tea tree oil itself is quite strong, so you’ll have to mix it with a carrier oil, or another solution like water.

For me personally, I mix tea tree oil with coconut oil, and then use this after applying a moisturizer on the days I shave. Occasionally I will use this at night on days I don’t shave just in case.

You can find a coconut oil mixing kit here.

Baths and Hot/Cold Compresses

Taking a hot bath or shower before shaving is a nice way to loosen up your pores and soften your hair.

Additionally, this will help you to clear away dirt and other bacteria on your skin that might get in the way while shaving.

For those with sensitive skin, importantly, remember to wait until the redness on your skin (as a result of the heat from the bath or compress) fades before shaving.

It’s important to use baths or hot compresses to loosen up the skin and not increase irritation before shaving.

Cold compresses can also be a great way to reduce swelling and irritation after the hair as been removed, which can be important especially after painful waxing or epilating sessions.

Moisturizing

Remember when shaving to ensure the razor isn’t pulling or tugging at your skin or hair.

Additionally, keeping your skin moisturized in the time after you shave is a great way to assist in the process of hair regrowth.

Know that selecting the right moisturizer can be a challenge, and the right moisturizer for your face might not be the right moisturizer for your lower body.

For me, I’ve found this CeraVe moisturizer to work great on my legs and butt.

Fading Blemishes

So you’ve gotten an ingrown hair, now what?

Well, nobody wants to see the markings of ingrown hairs for days, weeks, or even months after they’re gone.

To get rid of the markings left behind by ingrown hairs (sometimes referred to as Post Inflammation Hyperpigmentation, or PIH), try using a moisturizer or other skin cream that contains dermatological ingredients recognized as those that promote cell regeneration.

A list of these ingredients are as follows:

• Vitamin C
• Antioxidants
• Niacinamide (also known as vitamin B3)
• Vitamin E
• Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA)
• Panthenol
• Salicylic Acid
• Retinoids, such as Adapalene or tretinoin

Also remember that hyperpigmentation (as well as most other forms of skin discoloration) are made worse by UV light exposure, so get that sunblock handy!