The Sunday Edit
  • Beauty
    • Makeup
    • Skincare
    • Hair
    • Nails
  • Wellness
    • Nutrition
    • Holistic & Spiritual
    • Fitness
    • Love
  • Lifestyle
    • Home
    • Food
    • Culture
    • Travel
  • Shop
    • Sunday Riley
    • Subscription Box
How Ingrown Hairs Form and What to Do About Them
Shutterstock | Caroline Smith

How Ingrown Hairs Form and What to Do About Them

Jessie Quinn
Jessie Quinn
February 1, 2019

Hair removal is an experience — and a curse. With any type of hair removal, there is one thing that may be unavoidable: Ingrown hairs. “Ingrown hairs are hairs that grow sideways into the skin,” says Debra Jaliman, M.D., a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist. “They form because the hair curls back instead of growing straight,” she says.

But what makes the hair curl back and ultimately lead to an ingrown? One way is dry skin buildup that prevents hairs from poking through. Shaving techniques, waxing and other forms of hair removal might also play a part in their formation, especially if a proper prep routine isn’t followed. Jaliman says ingrown hairs are quite common in other areas than bikini region like legs, armpits, and men’s beards.

The good news is that you can treat and prevent ingrown hairs from happening, and the steps below are dermatologist-approved ways to promote clearer, smoother, healthier-looking skin.

An illustration of a body scrub.

1. Exfoliate

“It’s important to exfoliate well so that the dead skin doesn’t sit on top of the hair,” says Jaliman. “Exfoliation is crucial because it allows for dead skin to be removed,” says Jaliman. “Eliminating dead skin will help you get a closer shave.” To exfoliate the skin, Jaliman suggests using a slightly abrasive cloth. To do so, simply wet the cloth and rub in upward circular motions. Using a sugar or salt scrub in the shower might also do the trick, as the abrasive texture of both can gently lift away dry skin.

An illustration of a shaving brush.

2. Use a Shaving Brush

“Some people that get ingrown hairs have curly hair that coils down on itself and grown [inward],” says Jaliman. To prevent this from happening, she suggests using “a shaving brush when shaving, since it lifts the hair off the skin, making it easier [to shave].” If you wax, exfoliating with a dry brush the day before your hair removal could help lift some of the curly hairs away from the skin and make it easier to remove. You will want to hold off on exfoliating the area post-wax, too — at least until any irritation has gone down.

An illustration of a shower head.

3. Don’t Shave Until The End of Your Shower

“It’s helpful to shave [at] the end of the shower when the hairs are hydrated,” says Jaliman. “Taking a warm shower will cause your pores to open up for a more efficient shave [as] using warm water lessens the chances of your skin becoming irritated and the risk of getting ingrown hairs.” Jaliman also stresses the importance of shaving in the direction that your hair grows, as it gives you a closer shave. On top of that, she warns against shaving too frequently, as “your skin needs time to recover.”

An illustration of an epilator.

4. Try out New Products

The shaving market is trending more and more toward female-centric razors. You may think it doesn’t make a difference, but trust us, it does. Billie and Flamingo, both direct-to-consumer launches, are just two of the razors for womenkind taking over the market. With razors designed specifically for women (because why would you want to use anything else) the end result is healthy and happy skin. Of course, you may still get in-grown hairs — as they are inevitable — but new products are evolving and meeting more and more skincare concerns.

Additional reporting by Drew Carlos.

As an Amazon Associate, SRMS may earn a portion of sales from qualifying purchases.

Beauty Skincare

Your Sunday Edit

Sign-up today!

By clicking “Sign me up,” you agree to receive emails from The Sunday Edit and SundayRiley.com and accept our web terms of use and privacy & cookie policy.

Most Popular

An Open Discussion on Sex Toys and Orgasms

Wabi Sabi: The Art of the Imperfect

Coconut-Pistachio Rice Pudding Cups with Rose Water

Shop The Article
Shop
U.F.O.

U.F.O.

Ultra-Clarifying Face Oil
$40.00 - $80.00
Shop
Miusco & Sanheshun

Miusco & Sanheshun

Hair Shaving Brush and Shaving Stand Set
$19.99
Shop
T3

T3

Chrome Shower Head with Chlorine Filter
$150.00
Read More
Editor’s Choice: Embellished Parts

Editor’s Choice: Embellished Parts

By The Sunday Edit
Vagina Skincare; It All Started With a Move to Denmark

Vagina Skincare; It All Started With a Move to Denmark

By Drew Carlos
Fire and Ice: How Infrared Sauna and Cryotherapy Benefit Skin

Fire and Ice: How Infrared Sauna and Cryotherapy Benefit Skin

By Jessie Quinn
Probiotics: Your Skin’s Savior

Probiotics: Your Skin’s Savior

By Daley Quinn
  • About Us
  • Our Story
  • Team
  • Policies
  • Terms + Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
Sunday Riley slogan, "Your skin, Your results, Your brand."
© 2019 The Sunday Edit

We use cookies to ensure that you have the best experience on our site. By continuing to use our site, you accept the use of cookies.
You can learn more about our use of cookies in our Privacy Policy. Learn more

The Sunday Edit

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

You can adjust all of your cookie settings by navigating the tabs on the left hand side.

Strictly Necessary Cookies

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.