How to Prevent Ingrown Hairs

June 14, 2023

Ingrown hairs aren’t just unsightly, they can also be itchy and even painful. Ingrown hairs can occur anywhere that you shave, including the face, armpits, legs, and groin. If you’ve just accepted ingrown hairs as a side effect of shaving, think again: Not only can you treat ingrown hairs to make them go away faster, but you can also prevent them by using the right shaving products. In this guide, we’ll tell you how to both treat and prevent ingrown hairs to get a smooth, bump-free shave.

What Causes Ingrown Hairs

An ingrown hair occurs when hair reenters the skin after leaving the follicle instead of growing away from the skin like it’s supposed to. Ingrown hairs are especially common in the pubic area because the coarse, curly nature of the hair makes it more likely to curl back on itself and reenter the skin. Shaving the area can also create an uneven surface on the skin that makes it more likely a hair will get caught and become ingrown.

 You may be able to see the hair beneath a translucent layer of skin. It may also become embedded in a solid, inflamed bump or create a pus-filled sore. This can be painful and/or itchy, especially if clothing rubs against the area. Ingrown hairs can also result in hyperpigmentation, scarring, or a bacterial infection if not treated properly.

 How to Treat Ingrown Hairs

Most ingrown hairs will release themselves from your skin once they grow long enough; in most cases, your ingrown hair will resolve itself if left alone. Try not to rub or scratch the area, which can cause irritation and introduce bacteria to the area that can lead to infection.

If you notice any signs of infection, see your medical provider. They can prescribe medications to treat the ingrown hair, such as steroids and antibiotics. They might also prescribe a retinoid to encourage skin cell turnover, which will help to remove dead skin cells and loosen up ingrown hairs.

How to Prevent Ingrown Hairs

To prevent ingrown hairs, lubricate the skin beforehand with a shaving lotion, such as our new Trail Blazer Shave Anywhere Lotion. Always use a sharp razor and change the blade out frequently to prevent drag. Rinse the razor after every stroke to get the closest shave possible. This will reduce the chances that you have to go back over the same area more than once, which will increase the odds of developing ingrown hairs.

Try to shave with the direction that the hair is growing in, rather than against it. While shaving against the grain may result in a closer shave, it also increases the chances of ingrown hairs. Switching to an electric razor or clippers (vs. a manual one) can also reduce ingrown hairs. Again, the shave won’t be as close as a manual razor, but many people find the tradeoff worthwhile. Waxes or cream hair removal products will also reduce ingrown hairs since they remove the hair entirely rather than leaving some in the follicle to keep growing.

 Moisturize after you shave to keep the skin hydrated and smooth it out, which will make hair less likely to get caught. You can also try out a serum specifically targeted toward ingrown hairs. We also recommend regularly exfoliating the area with a washcloth and exfoliating body wash to get rid of dead skin cells and make your skin even smoother. You might want to do this on days that you don’t shave to avoid irritating the skin too much.

 Ready to upgrade your shave routine? Grab our Trail Blazer lotion for shaving to get a smooth shave every time and reduce the risk of ingrown hairs. While you’re at it, take our personalized skincare quiz to discover what other Fieldtrip skincare products will work for your unique skincare needs! Try our shaving lotion for a smoother, more comfortable shave!