Welcome to LovelySkin.com.
If you rely on waxing, shaving, threading or tweezing to remove unwanted hair on your body, you may have encountered the ugly side effect that is ingrown hairs. These painful bumps can pop up on your otherwise smooth skin and put a major crimp in your hair removal routine. The good news is you don’t have to grin and bear it when it comes to ingrown hairs because various products can help treat them and reduce the chances of them returning the next time you wax or shave. We’ll walk through everything you need to know, including:
Ingrown hairs show up on your skin as tiny, discolored bumps that—depending on the tone of your skin—can look red, purple or brown in color. When you shave or wax, you’re removing each strand of hair from its respective hair follicle. When that strand of hair regrows from the follicle, it can curl and grow back into the skin rather than sprouting out of it. Also called razor bumps, ingrown hairs can happen anywhere on the body that you tweeze, shave or wax the hair—the face, armpits, legs or bikini line are common spots for ingrown hairs.
“Ingrown hairs can feel itchy or painful, and they can even become infected and develop into pustules,” says board-certified dermatologist and LovelySkin CEO Dr. Joel Schlessinger. An ingrown hair that becomes infected is called pseudofolliculitis barbae, which is a type of folliculitis (the word doctors use to describe an infected hair follicle).
“It’s not a good idea to pick at ingrown hairs because that can cause infection or scarring.” Instead, you can try a warm compress to help release an ingrown hair or use a topical treatment with exfoliants (see below for some of our favorites) to help the hairs eventually release on their own as they grow. “If you have a particularly stubborn ingrown hair, you may need to make an appointment with your dermatologist, so they can use a scalpel and tweezers to release the hair, allowing it to heal properly.”
The best products for ingrown hairs can help treat existing ingrown hairs and, if used regularly leading up to and after hair removal, can even help stop them before they start. Here are six of the best products for bikini ingrown hairs and ingrown hairs elsewhere on the body, from head to toe.
This convenient roll-on is one of the best products for ingrown hairs because it does double-duty for both treatment and prevention. “This product helps treat existing ingrown hairs, and you can also use it preemptively after shaving to help prevent ingrown hairs from popping up again in the future,” Dr. Schlessinger says. Salicylic acid (a beta hydroxy acid) and glycolic acid (an alpha hydroxy acid) work together to exfoliate away dead skin cells on the surface of your skin, so ingrown hairs can release on their own. Willow bark extract and camphor oil help prevent infected hair follicles. It also helps relieve irritation from razor burn as well.
If you shave your face often, making these aftershave pads part of your regular skin care routine can help keep ingrown hairs in check and also prevent acne as well. Each pre-soaked pad contains lactic acid to help aid exfoliation while allantoin reduces inflammation and witch hazel helps balance oil production to help keep acne breakouts at bay. Aloe leaf juice also adds a dose of hydration to keep your face feeling soft and smooth.
This exfoliating body gel was created to prevent ingrown hairs and also treat body acne and keratosis pilaris, aka KP. You can use it before and after waxing or shaving and let the formula’s blend of glycolic, salicylic and lactic acids go to work removing built-up dead skin cells, so your skin stays smooth and bump-free. It’s a no-rinse gel, which means you can apply it daily prior to waxing and then resume use 24 hours after your waxing session.
Parisian skin care brand Sothys created this unique body cream to smooth skin and minimize ingrown hairs. It’s one of the best ingrown hair treatments because it features plant and marine extracts that work in tandem to slow the growth of hair and reduce the thickness of hair, so ingrown hairs are less likely to pop up over time. For best results, you can start using it twice daily five days before your waxing or hair-removal treatment. After, you can apply once a day until your next hair removal session.
An exfoliating body scrub is one of the best products for ingrown hairs you can add to your shower or bath routine. This double-action scrub combines the powers of physical and chemical exfoliation. It has a grainy texture to manually smooth skin while glycolic acid helps clear away dead skin cells to clear pores and keep ingrown hairs from forming. Because glycolic acid also helps treat and prevent acne, this is also a go-to scrub for those who struggle with acne on the back, chest or elsewhere on the body.
“If you have ingrown hairs causing redness, itching or pain, a dab of this hydrocortisone cream can help ease inflammation,” says Dr. Schlessinger says. Dr. Schlessinger created this healing balm with his son Dr. Daniel Schlessinger to soothe a variety of skin ailments, from insect bites and eczema to rashes from allergic reactions. It’s also one of the best products for ingrown hairs. The balm formulation is easy to apply, and it stays put wherever you apply it, making it one of the best products for bikini ingrown hairs and anywhere else you might need relief from razor bumps.
Skin care brand CLn specializes in cleansing products for scalp and skin issues such as razor bumps, ingrown hair, body acne and shaving irritation. CLn Sport Wash is a gel body wash that can help with ingrown hairs and razor burn as well as body acne. It was formulated specifically for athletes to use after sweaty workout sessions to help eliminate bacteria that can lead to acne and folliculitis. If inflamed ingrown hairs on your face or scalp are an issue for you, you’ll want to try the CLn 2-in-1 Gentle Wash & Shampoo. This mild cleanser also helps eliminate bacteria with a mild, hydrating cleanser base that you can use on your hair, scalp and skin without risk of dryness.
Many of the products above help prevent ingrown hairs as well as treat them. However, there are also other things you tweak in your daily routine to help prevent ingrown hairs if your chosen method of hair removal is shaving. “Shaving in the direction your hair naturally grows can help minimize the chance of ingrown hairs,” Dr. Schlessinger says. “Shaving with warm water and shaving gel with a fresh razor can also help, as shaving dry or with a dull razor can increase the chance of ingrown hairs and other irritations such as razor burn.”
Now that you’re set with the best products for ingrown hairs, you can round out your shaving routine with the best men’s shaving products for sensitive skin and the best products to treat razor burn.
Aaron serves as Editor at LovelySkin. Since graduating from the University of Nebraska at Omaha in 2016 with degrees in Creative Writing and English, he has immersed himself in the beauty industry. When he’s not writing about the latest beauty trends, he spends time cuddling his dogs, scouring antique stores, playing tennis and hiking.
Other Posts by AaronFollow us on social networks and be one of the first to learn about sales, giveaways, and free samples
| Mon - Fri | 9 - 5 p.m. CT |
|---|---|
| Sat (chat only) | 9 - 3 p.m. CT |
| Sun / Holidays | Closed |
| Call or Text: | 402-697-1100 |
|---|
