How to get rid of ingrown hairs
Ingrown hairs and folliculitis are a pesky and uncomfortable issue for sooo many people; me included! These conditions happen when hair follicles become clogged with dead skin cells, bacteria, or other debris, leading to irritation, redness, and sometimes infection. They tend to be more common where hair is regularly removed however it can totally occur anywhere on the body.
Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to prevent ingrown hairs and folliculitis:
Exfoliate regularly: One of the main causes of ingrown hairs and folliculitis is a buildup of dead skin cells that can clog hair follicles. By exfoliating 2x weekly you can help prevent this buildup and keep your skin smooth and clear. Use a gentle exfoliating scrub or a chemical one to slough off dead skin cells and prevent ingrown hairs. Product recommendations will be linked.
Avoid tight clothing: Dun..dun..dunnn… Wearing tight clothing can increase friction and irritation on the skin!!! This can lead to ingrown hairs and folliculitis. Opt for looser, breathable fabrics that allow your skin to breathe and reduce the risk of irritation.
Evaluate your hair removal method: Here is the #1 thing about this. Do NOT go between waxing to shaving nor between waxing shaving to laser to waxing. This is going to hurt you so much. This is the thing, waxing thins out your hair which is why if you do laser hair removal you cannot wax but you do shave. Waxing pulls the hair out of the follicle with the bulb which the laser must target for it to work. In addition to this for shaving with waxing you are messing with the hair being thin to a blunt cut
If you shave use a sharp razor and shave in the direction of hair growth. Dull razors can cause irritation and nicks on the skin, leading to ingrown hairs and folliculitis. Shaving against the grain can cause hairs to become trapped under the skin, leading to irritation and ingrown hairs. Ensuring to regularly replace your razors for a smooth and clean shave is essential.
Waxing is recommended over shaving for reducing ingrown hairs. It removes hair from the root reducing the chance of sharp tips that may curl back into the skin. Removing from the root leads to thinner, sparser hair growth minimizing ingrown hairs.
If you wax, I recommend every 4-6 weeks! This will help prevent ingrowns because it gives the hair enough time to grow back evenly allowing for a full clean wax! Plus if you go past 6 weeks then the hair already starts a new growth cycle meaning there is a new tiny hair behind the ones you see ready to come out compromising the quality of your wax. refer to this blog for for more details on hair growth cycles
Moisturize regularly: Keeping your skin hydrated and moisturized is essential!!!! Using a gentle, non-comedogenic moisturizer to keep your skin soft and supple, and prevent dryness and irritation. Product recommendations will be linked.
Avoid picking or scratching: It can be tempting to pick or scratch at ingrown hairs, trust me I know, but this leads to further irritation and potential infection. Instead, use a warm compress to help soothe the area and encourage the hair to come to the surface.