Ingrown hairs are a common problem for many individuals. Ingrown hairs occur on any area of the skin that the hair has been shaved or removed with tweezers. These methods of hair removal can provide the right circumstances for hair to grow back into the skin, causing pain and inflammation resulting in bumps on the skin. Ingrown hairs can occur on any part of the body, including the face, neck, back and arms.
Curly Hair
Having naturally curly hair can increase your risks of getting ingrown hair bumps. The structure of curly hair strands allows the hair to bend back around and penetrate the skin of your arms easier than hair that naturally grows out straight.
Shaving
Shaving is the most common cause of ingrown hairs. When you shave, the remaining tip of the hair becomes sharp. As the hair grows back out, the added sharpness increases the ability of the hair to cause extrafollicular penetration, or the penetration of the hair back into the arm's follicles causing inflammation. To remedy this problem, try other methods of hair removal, such as depilatory creams, laser hair removal or electrolysis.
Multiple Blades
Popular shaving brands have created razors with three or even four blades on them. While this provides a closer shave, multiple blades can also put you at a higher risk for the development of ingrown hairs bumps. The closer you shave the hair to the skin, the easier it is for the hair to retreat into the follicle. Switch to a single blade razor or electric razor if you have problems with regular ingrown hair bumps on the arms to leave the hair a little longer on the skin.
Dry Shave
According to the Mayo Clinic, shaving while the hair is dry causes the remaining tips of hair to become sharper than if you were to shave after taking a shower or placing a moist warm towel on the area to be shaved. The sharper the hair, the easier it is for the hair become ingrown. The use of a shaving medium, such as shaving gel or cream, can also provide moisture to the hair to help prevent ingrown hair bumps from forming on the arm.
Pulling Skin
Pulling your skin tight as you shave can encourage the formation of ingrown hairs. As you pull the skin, you also pull the freshly cut hairs back into the skin follicles. As you release the skin, some hairs remain in the follicle causing them to grow into the follicle before they have a chance to grow out.
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