Ingrown hairs occur when the growing hair grows into the tissue of the skin, rather than out of the follicle. This condition can cause painful skin irritation and carries a risk of infection. If you're sick of the ingrown hairs that crop up after your morning shave, changing your methods could help you prevent ingrown facial hair from appearing after you shave.
Step 1
Wet a washcloth with warm water, fold into quarters and apply it to your face. Warm water helps to soften the beard so the hair is easier to slice through and you get less irritation and pulling, according to Go Ask Alice!, Columbia University's advice column. You could also try having a steamy shower before you start shaving.
Step 2
Apply a good-quality, lubricating shave gel to the area you'll be shaving, suggests MayoClinic.com. Shaving removes the topmost layer of your skin along with the hair, so it's important to protect your skin. Without a shave gel, you'll be dragging and pulling the hairs, which could cause them to break and grow improperly after you shave.
Step 3
Start with a new razor with sharp blades, and remember to change your razor often. As you shave, use long, downward strokes so you're shaving along with the hair growth. Shaving against the growth forces the hair back on itself or into the skin, which causes both irritation and ingrown hairs, for a bumpy, irritated shave.
Step 4
Allow your skin to remain in a neutral position as you shave. While you may be tempted to pull your skin taut to get the closest possible shave, this pushes the hair above the skin's surface and causes the hair to be cut too far under the surface. When the hair grows again, you'll have a greater chance for an ingrown hair due to improper growth within the follicle.
Step 5
Apply a cold compress to your skin after shaving by wetting a washcloth with cool water and applying it to your face. The cool water will help to contract pores and soothe any irritation.
Things You'll Need
- Washcloth
- Water
- Razor
- Shave gel
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