Ingrown hairs occur when shaved hair grows a short way out of the follicle and quickly curls back toward the skin, penetrating it. This commonly happens on skin that is irritated, often from frequent shaving or other types of friction. Ingrown hairs typically cause redness, swelling and extreme tenderness. This tenderness makes it even more difficult to shave until the pain subsides. There are several things you can do to avoid ingrown hairs.
Step 1
Trim or shave your hair so that it is longer than usual. The longer your hairs are, the less likely it is they will curl back into your skin.
Step 2
Shave with the grain of your hair. This results in less resistance by your face, and it typically causes less skin irritation. Be wary of using multi-blade razors, which may be too aggressive on skin; stick with single razor blades for best results.
Step 3
Minimize the number of razor strokes on the same spot. Take long, controlled swipes with your razor rather than fast, repeated strokes. Each razor stroke is more likely to condition the hairs to curl.
Step 4
Let your hair grow longer in between shaves. This will cause less skin irritation, and the longer your hair is allowed to grow, the more time it will have to grow straight before being cut.
Tips and Warnings
- Make sure your razor is nice and sharp. The more nicks and bumps there are in a razor's blade, the more likely you are to suffer skin irritation, which can lead to ingrown hairs. Take a hot shower or wash your face in hot water before shaving. This opens up your pores and creates a layer of water between the lather, gel or cream used when shaving and helps stave off ingrown hairs. Rinse your face or the shaved area completely after each shave to close the pores.
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