Get professional suggestions from a dermatologist to stop ingrown hairs and razor bumps. These will keep easy pores and skin and relieve discomfort.
Troubled by ingrown hair? It could possibly rework easy pores and skin into tough patches accompanied by darkish spots and swelling. This irritation usually happens in delicate areas the place the pores and skin is extra susceptible to points. To maintain your pores and skin trying its greatest and to ease any discomfort, it’s essential to know how you can stop ingrown hair and razor bumps, particularly if you happen to recurrently take away hair. A dermatologist affords useful insights on this frequent concern, guiding people on how you can care for his or her pores and skin whereas sustaining its well being and radiance.
What’s ingrown hair?
An ingrown hair happens when hair that has been minimize or eliminated grows again into the pores and skin slightly than rising by the hair follicle. This typically outcomes from a buildup of lifeless pores and skin cells that blocks the hair’s pure exit route, as reported within the Biochemistry and Biophysics journal. Whereas shaving is normally blamed for inflicting ingrown hair, different strategies, akin to waxing, may contribute to the issue. Recognising the causes is step one in direction of efficient prevention.
What’s the major reason for ingrown hair?
Ingrown hair can kind on any space of the physique the place hair is eliminated. Listed below are a number of the commonest causes:
- Improper hair elimination methods: Shaving or waxing in opposition to the route of hair progress may cause hair to grow to be trapped below the pores and skin.
- Frequent hair elimination: “Eradicating hair too typically, with out permitting sufficient time for regrowth, will increase the danger of ingrown hair, dermatologist Dr Madhulika Mhatre tells Well being Pictures.
- Curly hair: People with curly hair could also be extra prone, because the pure curl can result in hair rising again into the pores and skin as a substitute of outward.

Learn how to stop ingrown hair?
To assist stop ingrown hair, keep away from shaving, tweezing, and waxing. If these strategies are unavoidable, think about using the next dermatologist-recommended suggestions:
- Common exfoliation: Exfoliating the pores and skin as soon as per week can assist take away lifeless pores and skin cells that block hair follicles. “Utilizing pure exfoliators, akin to a sugar scrub made out of sugar blended with water or milk”, recommends Dr Mhatre.
- Moisturise earlier than hair elimination: Hydration is vital. Moisturising the pores and skin earlier than shaving or waxing helps soften the hair and improves the glide of the razor or waxing strip. “A very good high quality moisturiser could make a major distinction,” states Dr Mhatre.
- Take into account your hair elimination methodology: Should you’re susceptible to ingrown hair, you would possibly wish to discover various hair elimination strategies, akin to laser hair elimination, which may successfully scale back hair progress over time.
- Sanitise your razor: Maintaining your shaving instruments clear can’t be overstated. Earlier than every use, dip your razor in sanitiser for five to 10 minutes to get rid of micro organism. After shaving, rinse the razor and retailer it in a dry space to stop contamination.
- Select disposable razors rigorously: Many individuals unknowingly misuse disposable razors, utilizing them a number of occasions. “Utilizing uninteresting blades will increase the probability of ingrown hair,” advises Dr Mhatre. At any time when doable, go for a contemporary razor with a pointy blade for the very best outcomes.
- Shave within the route of hair progress: Shaving with the grain, that means within the route of hair progress, can considerably scale back the danger of ingrown hair. “The significance of this step, noting that it’s typically ignored. Take your time to keep away from dashing by the shave,” highlights Dr Mhatre.
- Keep away from conventional soaps and bathe gels: Overly harsh soaps and bathe gels can dry out the pores and skin, resulting in an elevated danger of ingrown hair. As a substitute, select shaving lotions or gels which might be particularly formulated for shaving. These merchandise create a protecting barrier, permitting for a smoother shaving expertise.
Learn how to deal with ingrown hair?
Should you develop ingrown hair, addressing it promptly is essential to stop discomfort and an infection.
- Exfoliate to deal with ingrown hair: Light exfoliation can assist liberate trapped hair. “Using sugar scrubs for this objective. Nevertheless, folks with dry pores and skin ought to restrict exfoliation to keep away from additional irritation,” suggests Dr Mhatre.
- In search of skilled assist: For deeply embedded ingrown hair or extreme instances, over-the-counter therapies is probably not efficient. Take into account scheduling an appointment with a dermatologist, who can present acceptable care.
Disclaimer: At Well being Pictures, we’re dedicated to offering correct, dependable, and genuine info to help your well being and well-being. Nevertheless, the content material on this web site is meant solely for informational functions and shouldn’t be thought-about an alternative choice to skilled medical recommendation, prognosis, or therapy. All the time seek the advice of a certified healthcare supplier for personalised recommendation relating to your particular medical situation or considerations.