The best way to prevent ingrown hairs from developing is to avoid shaving, tweezing, and waxing altogether. However, if that is not a possibility, here are some other tips that can reduce your risk of developing ingrown hairs and prevent ingrown hairs from developing.
Exfoliate often.
Dead skin cells can accumulate on your skin and block your hair follicles, which will force the hair strands to grow sideways underneath your skin rather than upwards and outwards. Exfoliation can help to get rid of dead cells. You should exfoliate your skin each time before shaving or waxing, as well as at least every other day. There are different types of exfoliation that you may need to experiment with to determine which works the best with your skin type.
Use shaving cream or gel.
Shaving too close to your skin can cause the hairs to be cut too short, which makes it easier for them to become ingrown. This is why using a thick shaving cream or shaving gel is important every time you shave, as this provides a barrier between the razor and your skin as this protects your skin from becoming too damaged and irritated by the razor blades.
Don’t use dull razors.
Dull razors can contribute to the irritation that causes ingrown hairs to develop. Therefore, you should always use a sharp razor every time you shave and change razors after every four to six uses.
Don’t pull your skin while shaving.
Pulling your skin taut while you are shaving causes you to cut the hair too short, which can lead to it retracting into your skin after you release it. Since you are creating sharp edges on the ends of your hair, this creates the perfect conditions for your hair piercing your skin and developing into an ingrown hair.
Shave in the right direction.
The direction of your shave will depend on the location of the area you are shaving. For men shaving their face, the best way to prevent ingrown hairs and razor burn is to shave with the grain, which means in the direction the hair is growing. However, women shaving their legs should be able to shave in the opposite direction of hair growth with no problems at all.
Use an electric razor or clipper instead.
Electric razors or clippers have been shown to reduce razor burn for men. Try to avoid the closest shave setting when using an electric razor, and hold the device slightly away from your skin in order to trim the hair rather than shave it, as this will work to prevent razor burn and ingrown hairs from occurring.
Try other methods of hair removal.
If you get razor burn often, there are other methods that can help to prevent ingrown hairs from developing that you could try. Chemical hair removers may be a better option for you, but it is possible for these types of products to irritate your skin as well, so test the product on a small area of skin before using it. There are also prescription creams that can decrease hair regrowth, such as Vaniqa (eflornithine). This type of product works best when combined with laser hair removal.
