How to Say Goodbye to Ingrown Hairs for Good

Ingrown hairs can be a pain, literarily.

But fear not, because we've got your back (and your legs and your face...) with some seriously handy tips to kick those ingrown hairs to the curb in no time.

Sit back, relax, and get ready to bid farewell to those irritating hair bumps. Our guide is here to turn your hair-raising experience into a smooth journey.

What Are Ingrown Hairs?

If you've ever had an ingrown hair, you know how frustrating it can be. Not only are ingrown hairs painful, but they can also be challenging to get rid of.

Ingrown hairs occur when the hair follicle becomes trapped under the skin. This can happen for various reasons, including shaving, waxing, or even using tweezers. When the hair follicle is trapped, it can become irritated and inflamed, causing an ingrown hair.

How Do You Remove Ingrown Hairs?

The first step to removing ingrown hairs is to exfoliate regularly between shaves. This helps slough away dead skin cells that can clog up pores and trap hairs.

The gentle scrubbing motion removes the upper layer of skin, allowing the hair to break through to the surface. You can use a gentle exfoliating scrub or a loofah to exfoliate your skin. Just be sure not to overdo it, as exfoliating too much can actually irritate the skin and make ingrown hairs worse.

If you don’t like the idea of scrubbing your bikini line, you can also use a cleansing pad soaked in AHAs like glycolic acid. The acid works to break down debris and unblock pores.

The Replenix Glycolic Acid Resurfacing Cleanser is a great choice for this. The advanced, dermatologist-developed skin-resurfacing cleanser effectively cleans the skin by targeting impurities, dirt, and oil without stripping the skin’s moisture barrier.

While tempting, don’t squeeze your ingrown hairs. Hairs very close to the surface can be gently coaxed out with a clean and sterile need or pair of tweezers. But, don't dig around if the hair is deep in the skin.

If you do, this could lead to folliculitis, when the pore becomes inflamed, infected, and ugly. If you think you might be developing folliculitis, dab on an antibacterial treatment to calm and treat the area.

How Do You Prevent Ingrown Hairs?

Prevention is key, right? Fortunately, there are several ways to avoid ingrown hairs.

Use a Sharp Razor

If you shave, be sure to use a sharp razor. A dull razor can cause more irritation and increase the chances of getting an ingrown hair.

And when you do shave, be sure to move toward the hair growth to avoid nicking the skin and use a lubricating shaving product. You should also always rinse your blade between strokes.

Choose the Right Products

You should also consider using a shaving soap bar. Shaving foams often contain various chemical foaming agents and gases to push the product out of the can, contributing to dry, irritated skin after shaving.

Shaving soap, on the other hand, is designed to offer a protective barrier between the skin and razor blade, creating less friction, which can lead to razor burns or bumps and ingrown hairs. Many ingredients typically found in shaving soaps hydrate and calm clean-shaven skin, creating a lighter, creamier lather with plenty of moisturizing properties.

BHAs like salicylic acid can help to banish those unwanted bumps left by shaving, too. Reach for the Avant Dynamic Salicylic Acne & Blemish Battling Cleanser for smooth, bump-free skin.

Switch your Blades

Swapping your blade regularly is crucial too. In fact, pros recommend switching blades every ten shaves.

Try Epilation

You can also try a different hair removal technique, like epilation. This technique removes the hair from the root for a longer-lasting smooth finish. Some devices come with a selection of exfoliation brushes that can help prevent ingrown hairs.

Post-hair removal, slather on a soothing moisturizer packed with cooling ingredients, such as aloe vera, to ensure the skin stays hydrated and nourished.

The Tuel Botanical Blast Ultra Rich Body Lotion is an excellent, fail-safe body lotion choice. The lotion teems with antioxidants, botanical extracts, and vitamins your skin will love. Apply the lotion after shaving, and your skin will be left feeling super soft, nourished, and conditioned.

The formula contains 15 cold-pressed plant extracts, natural emollients, vitamins, and pure essential oils that work together to improve, protect, and prevent dryness.

Finally, if you find yourself with an ingrown hair, don't try to dig it out with a tweezer or other sharp object. This will only irritate the skin further and could cause an infection.

Do you want more skincare advice? Discover the skincare benefits of seaweed here.