Preventing Ingrown Hairs

Have you ever noticed small bumps that appear post-shave? Well, chances are, these are ingrown hairs. Ingrown hairs can become very irritated, resulting in itchiness, redness, and even infection. Men and women alike consider ingrown hairs a major concern in regards to the health of their skin. Ingrown hairs are a result of shaving in which the freshly cut hair curls back into the surface of the skin, creating inflammation. Actively preventing ingrown hairs is a great way to feel more confident about the appearance of your skin, especially in those intimate areas where ingrown hairs tend to sprout.

In order to successfully prevent ingrown hairs, you have to stop the problem at the source, e.g. shaving. For those who have curlier hair or thicker hair, ingrown hairs may be more difficult to prevent than for those with finer, straighter hair, but these tips can still help a ton. For instance, many have found that using an electric razor, which doesn’t cut as close to the skin, leaves your skin smooth and shaved, sans irritation. It may seem logical that those razors with 4 or 5 blades are your best bet for the best shave, which may be true for some, but the sharpness of the razors is what sharpens the end of the hair, ultimately causing it to in-grow improperly into the hair follicle.

Furthermore, if you make a point to thoroughly wash your skin prior to shaving, you lift the hair out of the follicle, preparing it to be properly shaved. Also consider shaving in the direction your hair grows, or with the grain, rather than the opposite direction the hair grows, or against the grain. An example would be, for women, to shave with downward strokes on their legs versus upwards ones. In addition, immediately post shave, apply a warm, damp towel to your skin that can soothe and soften any irritation.