If you suffer from ingrown hair after a shave, you'll know that this phenomenon can seriously mess up your look. Instead of a smooth, uniform canvas, your complexion is riddled with red, itchy spots. They can appear anywhere on your face and body, and they can be a major eyesore.
Luckily, there are a number of ways you can get rid of ingrown hair, and LOOKFANTASTIC has you covered with a guide to get you started. You'll find answers to all your most pressing questions about ingrown hair here.
What are Ingrown Hairs and How are They Formed?
Ingrown hair is exactly what it sounds like: hair that has grown back into the skin instead of outwards. They are the result of hair removal practices like shaving, tweezing, and waxing.
When the hair is severed during removal in a way that leaves it fragmented or sharpened at the edge, it may start to curl back into the skin. When it re-enters the surface of the skin, it causes the skin to become irritated and inflamed. You'll notice a small, raised and rounded bump on the skin. They may also appear darker, contain pus, and feel painful or itchy. In some cases, the trapped hair may be visible under the skin.
Ingrown hair can appear anywhere on your body, and occurs most in areas that are frequently subject to hair removal. Areas like the face and neck, armpits, legs, and pubic region can all be affected by ingrown hair, making it one pesky problem you don't want to have to deal with.
How is Ingrown Hair Treated?
To avoid worsening the problem, it's recommended to stop any hair removal methods for one to six months. If that's not possible, however, you can seek out alternatives to shaving and waxing like laser treatment.
For relief from pain and discomfort, you can use anti-itching creams and anti-inflammatory steroid creams. You may also want to use a mild antiseptic or antibiotic ointment to stop infection. Exfoliating products like retinoids can also be excellent for clearing dead skin cells out of the way and preventing ingrown hair.
Treat areas with ingrown hairs gently when cleansing or applying product. Avoid picking, scratching, or squeezing at the little bumps, or you could be inviting infection. You can wash the skin carefully with a soft cloth or soft-bristled toothbrush.
These are all ways you can treat ingrown hair on your own at home, but you can also consult a doctor. Medical attention is necessary if the area around your ingrown hair is highly painful, swollen, or accompanied by symptoms like nausea and fever.
What are Some Prevention Tips for Ingrown Hair?
The best way to avoid developing ingrown hair is simply not to remove hair, but we know that that doesn't fit with everyone's beauty goals. So instead, you can cultivate better hair removal practices.
When shaving, make sure to wash your skin with a mild cleanser and warm water beforehand. You can also apply a shaving cream or gel, or a warm compress, to prep the area. When you're ready, shave in the direction that your hair grows. Use short strokes and give the razor a rinse after each stroke. After you're done, soothe your skin with a cool, damp cloth and moisturize thoroughly.
To be extra safe, you could also opt for hair removal methods with less of a risk of causing ingrown hair. Products like hair removal cream, or long-term treatments like laser removal, are less likely to lead to ingrown hair.
What Products Treat Ingrown Hair?
Read on to check out what products LOOKFANTASTIC recommends for banishing ingrown hair once and for all.
5 Products to Eliminate Ingrown Hair
1. Magnitone FuzzOff 3-in-1 Trimmer - White 2. GLAMGLOW Supermud Mask 15g 3. Tweezerman Ingrown Hair Splintertweeze® 4. AMELIORATE Smoothing Body Exfoliant 150ml 5. SVR Xérial 30 Cream for Rough, Bumpy Skin + Ingrown Hairs - 100ml
1. Magnitone FuzzOff 3-in-1 Trimmer - White
Tame unwanted hair and fuzz with the Magnitone’s FuzzOff 3-in-1 Trimmer. This expert grooming device can be used all over the face and body to eliminate even the finest hairs in a speedy and painless fashion. Features like super-fast precision heads and a comb-guard make it easy to control trimming length. Plus, it's USB-rechargeable, compact, and travel-friendly.
2. GLAMGLOW Supermud Mask 15g
Treat yourself to total refreshment with the GLAMGLOW Supermud Mask. Enriched with glycolic, salicylic, and lactic acids, it's a deeply healing formula that visibly refines facial skin. Use it as a full facial mask or to target problem spots, like breakouts, blemishes, and ingrown hairs. You'll find your visage looking and feeling comforted, clarified, and calmed.
3. Tweezerman Ingrown Hair Splintertweeze®
Tweezing can be the quickest way to remove ingrown hairs, but it needs to be done very carefully, and only on ingrown hairs that are fairly small and mild. If you do decide to tweeze, make sure to use a clean and sterilized tool. LOOKFANTASTIC recommends the Tweezerman Ingrown Hair/Splinter Tweezers for the most precise, targeted hair removal.
4. AMELIORATE Smoothing Body Exfoliant 150ml
Resurface, renew, and revitalize your skin with the Smoothing Body Exfoliant from AMELIORATE. This formula effectively sweeps away dead skin cells, relieves irritation, and helps eliminate ingrown hairs. Lactic acid and biodegradable bamboo granules perform thorough exfoliation, while cocoa butter, coconut oil, and shea butter envelop the skin in moisture for as long as 8 hours. Expect skin that appears visibly softer and smoother. This product is dermatologist-approved and great for use on all skin types.
5. SVR Xérial 30 Cream for Rough, Bumpy Skin + Ingrown Hairs - 100ml
Help your skin recover from ingrown hair with the soothing SVR Laboratoires XERIAL 30 Crème Corps Body Care. This body lotion is formulated with nourishing ingredients like salicylic acid and shea butter. It boasts a velvety texture that melts right into the skin, smoothing and softening irritated skin. Get 24 hours of hydration and relief from redness, rough patches, and ingrown hair. This product is free from fragrances and parabens too!
Find more solutions to all manner of skincare concerns and conditions at LOOKFANTASTIC US today.
