How to Prevent Ingrown Hairs

Co-authored by Megaera Lorenz, PhD | Medically reviewed by Sarah Gehrke, RN, MS

Last Updated: February 1, 2021 References

Ingrown hairs happen when a shaved or plucked hair begins to grow back in under the skin instead of emerging from the follicle. This process not only causes unsightly red bumps, but can also lead to irritation, infection, or even permanent scarring. Reduce your chances of getting ingrown hairs by properly preparing your skin before hair removal and using safe, gentle hair-removal techniques. Once you’ve removed the hair, use appropriate aftercare to make ingrown hairs even less likely.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Preparing Your Skin and Hair

1
Exfoliate your skin regularly. Exfoliating can remove dead skin cells that build up on the skin and clog your hair follicles.^{[1]
X
Research source} Gently exfoliate the areas where you plan to remove hair by gently rubbing your skin with a wet washcloth or a mild exfoliating scrub.
- Use circular motions while exfoliating for maximum effectiveness.
- You can make a gentle exfoliating scrub at home by mixing three parts baking soda with one part water.^{[2]
  X
  Research source} Use this scrub once a week for best results.
- Chemical exfoliants, like alpha hydroxy acids, are also effective.^{[3]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Heather Richmond, MD
  Board Certified Dermatologist
  Expert Interview. 15 September 2020.}
2
Moisturize your skin and hair. Keeping your skin and hair hydrated will make your skin less prone to over drying and your hair less prone to breakage. Soft, hydrated hair is also easier to shave. After exfoliating your skin, treat it with a gentle moisturizing lotion.^{[4]
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Research source}
- Check the label on your moisturizer to make sure that it is non-comedogenic (won't clog your pores).
- If you plan to shave your head hair, you can keep it moisturized and supple with a hair conditioner.
- You can help keep your body and facial hair moisturized just before or during a shave by soaking the hair in warm water and using a lubricating gel or moisturizing shaving cream.
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3
Clean your skin before removing hair. Most hair removal techniques leave your skin and follicles more vulnerable to infection. Use warm water and a mild face or body cleanser to wash away dirt and bacteria before shaving, plucking, or waxing.^{[5]
X
Trustworthy Source
Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Using Good Shaving Techniques

1
Wet your skin and apply gel or shaving cream before shaving. If shaving is your preferred method of hair removal, keeping your hair and skin moisturized during the shave is a must. Using a cream or gel will make the hair easier to cut, and will prevent skin irritation.
- For best results, apply your shaving gel or cream a few minutes before you start shaving.^{[6]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  Mayo Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  Go to source}
- It’s a good idea to shave in the shower or immediately after getting out of the shower. The warm water will soften the hair, making shaving much easier.
2
Shave in the direction of hair growth. Shaving “with the grain” may help reduce friction and prevent damage and irritation to your skin. However, this technique doesn’t work for everyone. Experiment with the shaving direction that is most effective and least irritating for you.^{[7]
X
Trustworthy Source
Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}
- Also, make sure that you do not pull your skin taut while you are shaving it. This may lead to ingrown hairs.^{[8]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  Mayo Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  Go to source}
3
Shave with a sharp blade. A sharp blade will cut your hair more easily and is less likely to irritate your skin. If your razor is getting dull, replace it with a new one.^{[9]
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Research source}
- While some experts recommend using a single blade razor, it is unclear whether this really helps prevent the development of ingrown hairs. Stick with your multi-blade razor if you find that it is less irritating and more effective for you.^{[10]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  Mayo Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  Go to source}
4
Rinse your razor frequently while shaving. Razors quickly become clogged with shaving gel and hair during the shaving process, which reduces their effectiveness and makes irritation more likely. Rinse your razor between strokes to prevent buildup and keep it shaving smoothly.^{[11]
X
Trustworthy Source
Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}
5
Shave with an electric razor. Electric razors and clippers don’t cut as close to the skin as traditional safety razors, which can reduce your chance of developing ingrown hairs. It may be worthwhile to sacrifice a super close shave if you shave frequently and regularly develop ingrown hairs.^{[12]
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Research source}
- Avoid setting your razor/clippers on the closest shave setting, and hold the blade slightly away from your skin while shaving.
- Do not use your electric razor unless it is fully charged. If the razor battery is low, then the blades may pull at your hairs, which can be painful.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Using Other Hair Removal Techniques

1
Use sanitary waxing practices. If you decide to wax instead of shave, you are still at risk for getting ingrown hairs, especially in the bikini area. Always cleanse and exfoliate your skin before waxing. Reduce your risk of infection by using a new applicator stick for each application of wax.^{[13]
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Research source}
2
Try a chemical hair remover. Depilatory creams work by dissolving the hair rather than cutting it or pulling it out of the skin. For this reason, they are less likely to lead to ingrown hairs.^{[14]
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Research source}
- Chemical hair removers can cause rashes or irritation in some people. Test the product on a small area of your skin before use.^{[15]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  Mayo Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  Go to source}
3
Use laser hair removal.^{[16]
X
Expert Source

Heather Richmond, MD
Board Certified Dermatologist
Expert Interview. 15 September 2020.} Laser hair removal is a semi-permanent hair removal technique that involves destroying the hair and the root with a guided laser beam. While this technique does not usually completely eliminate hair in the treated area, it will reduce hair density significantly. This reduces the need for shaving, plucking, and other hair removal techniques that lead to ingrown hairs.^{[17]
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Research source}
- Laser hair removal is relatively safe, and the side effects (typically redness and irritation) are usually mild and temporary. In rare cases, permanent scarring may occur.
- Keep in mind that laser hair removal can be costly. Typically, multiple treatments are needed over the course of several months for the treatment to be effective.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Treating Your Skin after Hair Removal

1
Rinse your skin with cool water after shaving. Splash on a little cold water, or gently wipe the shaved area with a cold, wet washcloth. Rinsing will help cleanse the skin, close up your pores, and reduce irritation.^{[18]
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Research source}
2
Apply a moisturizing lotion after removing hair. Whether you wax, pluck, or shave, it’s a good idea to treat your skin with a gentle lotion afterwards. Make sure your lotion is free of perfumes and alcohol.^{[19]
X
Research source} Moisturizers containing colloidal oatmeal or aloe may be particularly soothing.^{[20]
X
Trustworthy Source
PubMed Central
Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
Go to source}
- You may also try applying some cool chamomile tea to your skin after shaving. Chamomile is soothing and it has antibacterial properties.^{[21]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  PubMed Central
  Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
  Go to source}
3
Exfoliate again after removing hair. Exfoliating is especially important after waxing, since it can help new hair growth emerge the way it’s supposed to. Apply a mild, gentle exfoliating scrub daily for the first few days after waxing.^{[22]
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Research source}
4
Use glycolic acid or salicylic acid on your skin. Glycolic and salicylic acid both help exfoliate the skin and prevent ingrown hairs by keeping pores unclogged. Salicylic acid is a key ingredient in many acne medications, so it can also help prevent post-shave breakouts.^{[23]
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Research source}
- Try post-shave serum or cleansing pads containing glycolic and/or salicylic acid. If your skin is sensitive, you may need to avoid using these products more than once a week.
- Avoid using glycolic or salicylic acid on freshly shaved or waxed skin. Let your skin rest and heal for a day or two before applying.
- These products can be drying, so use them in combination with a moisturizer.

Expert Q&A

Question

How do you treat an ingrown hair scar?

Heather Richmond, MD
Board Certified Dermatologist
Dr. Heather Richmond, MD is a board certified Dermatologist at Dermatology and Laser Surgery Center in Houston, Texas. With over nine years of experience, Dr. Richmond specializes in comprehensive dermatology including medical, surgical, and cosmetic procedures. She graduated cum laude from Yale University with a BA in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology. She earned her MD from the University of California, Irvine School of Medicine, where she was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. She completed her Internal Medicine internship at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and her Dermatology residency at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. Dr. Richmond is a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and is a member of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, and the Texas and Houston Dermatological Societies.

Heather Richmond, MD

Board Certified Dermatologist

Expert Answer

If the scar is just discoloration, using a bleaching cream can be helpful. For thickened scars, injectable steroids can be quite beneficial as well.

Warnings

If you do get an ingrown hair, don’t attempt to remove it by picking at the skin. If the problem does not resolve on its own, your doctor may be able to release the hair by making a small incision in your skin. They may also recommend a topical treatment to reduce inflammation and help the hair emerge.

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