Tips and Tricks to Getting Rid of Ingrown Hairs

Whether it’s once in a while or every time you shave or get a wax, ingrown hairs are a real pain. Let me take you on a tour on how to recognize, treat and most of all, prevent ingrown hairs. 

What are Ingrown Hairs? 

Is it a pimple? Is it a bump? It might be an ingrown hair… An ingrown hair is a hair strand that grows back into the skin, as opposed to growing up and through the skin’s surface. Ingrown hairs are often accompanied by uncomfortable symptoms such as redness, itching and even acne-like bumps. 

What Causes An Ingrown Hair?

1. Improper hair removal

Dry shaving, shaving too often or too close to the skin falls under the category of improper hair removal. When we shave, the first blade of the razor will lift up the hair strand so the next blade can slice it off. If we shave too close to the skin, by applying too much pressure or pulling the skin tight, the second blade will cut the hair below the skin line and give the hair strand a sharp edge. When it is time for the hair to grow, the sharp tip and awkward position of the cut will cause the hair strand to curl back into the skin and remain trapped beneath the skin’s surface.

We recommend using our Francesca Trimmer™ to avoid ingrown hairs. Francesca will trim the hair without cutting the strand low enough for it to fall beneath the skin line.  

2. Clogged pore

Ingrown hairs are also caused by clogged pores. Normally, the hair is supposed to grow up from its root and through the pore (the skin’s opening). Pores can often become clogged by dead skin cells due to a lack of exfoliation. When the pore is clogged, the hair strand cannot break through the opening and instead will curl back down underneath the skin’s surface - causing an ingrown hair. 

We recommend working our ultra hydrating Nude sugar scrub into your prep routine for hair removal. This scrub will remove the dead skin cells, dirt and oil that naturally accumulate throughout the day. This debris would otherwise seep into freshly opened pores, clog the hair follicle and leave an angry ingrown hair behind. 

3. Tight Clothing

Wearing tight clothing, especially tight undies, right after hair removal can cause ingrown hairs. If too close to the skin, the fabric will trap the hair that is beginning to grow back and force them to grow sideways. We recommend using either: 1) 100% cotton underwear; and or 2) less tight undies. 100% cotton undies are a good alternative to use after hair removal as this material doesn't bother the skin as much. In addition, looser underwear will minimize friction and irritation. 

Preventive Action Against Ingrown Hairs

The key to preventing ingrown hairs is keeping the skin moisturized and exfoliated. Moisturization is essential for two reasons: 1) it softens the skin making it easier for the hair to break through the skin’s surface; and 2) it prevents any build up of dead skin cells at the pore’s opening. In addition, exfoliation removes dead skin from the surface and unclogs the pores so the hair can grow through the skin as opposed to getting trapped underneath. 

Treating Ingrown Hairs

1. Give it Time to Heal

The best and safest way to get rid of ingrown hair is to let it heal on its own, which should take 2-4 days if you keep the area dry, clean and away from hair removal products; you should also avoid tight clothing that might cause friction with the area. Trying to extract it yourself (squeeze it, pick at it, use tweezers on it) will most likely end with pain, an actual infection and maybe a scar. 

2. Keep it Clean

Keep the ingrown area clean and make sure to exfoliate the surroundings of the ingrown hair. To do so, you might use the Bushbalm™ Nude oil, which contains tea tree oil, an antiseptic and anti-inflammatory. All the Bushbalm™ oils are 100% non-comedogenic so they won’t clog your pores! You may also want to use the Sugar Scrub, which is also non-comedogenic and will properly exfoliate the area you’re trying to preserve. 

3. Use a Warm Compress

If you have an ingrown hair on your legs, you might want to take a warm moist cloth or compress and apply it to the affected area for a few minutes. This should help soften the skin and bring out the hair to its surface. If it is deeper than expected, you might want to apply a warm compress several times a day to, at least, relieve discomfort.