How to Prevent Ingrown Hairs

Learn how to prevent ingrown hairs for a comfortable shave and blemish-free skin.  Shaving is one of the primary causes of ingrown hairs, but when you follow a few simple tips and techniques, you can reduce the likelihood of getting these painful irritations.

How Ingrown Hairs Are Formed
Shaving causes ingrown hairs, whether on the face, armpit, legs or other part of the body. When the razor blade glides over the skin and hair, it slices the hair shaft close to the skin. The end of the hair is sharpened and can occasionally retract back into the hair follicle. As the hair starts to grow, the tip of the hair curls back down into the follicle rather than grow outward through the surface of the skin. The result is an infected, irritated and inflamed area.

Preventing Ingrown Hairs
To avoid ingrown hairs, shaving should consist of the right equipment and supplies as well as proper technique for achieving a smooth shave without enhancing the conditions for ingrown hairs to form.

1. Wash the skin thoroughly before shaving. Exfoliating the skin will also slough off oils, dirt and dry skin.
2. Allow the hair to soften, if possible. For example, a man shaving his face may wrap a hot wet towel around his face so the moisture can penetrate the facial hair.
3. Apply a shaving cream or gel. Proper lubrication allows the razor to glide over the skin and avoid irritating the surface.
4. Shave in the direction the hair grows. For example, a woman shaving her legs should shave down rather than up. This is because the hair will be more prone to grow out straight rather than curly.
5. Use a fresh blade because dull blades will not cut the hair shafts evenly or smoothly.
6. Keep the pressure on the blade light. Aggressive shaving can press the blade down farther than intended into the skin, causing the hair to be cut of lower than what is comfortable.
7. Avoid running the blade over the same area of skin once it has been shaved to reduce irritation and bumps on the skin.
8. Keep the area soothed and moisturized when shaving is finished. Applying specialized lotion can keep the skin from swelling up around the hair follicle.