Ingrown hairs - how to avoid them

The appearance of ingrown hairs (or pseudofolliculitis in medical jargon) is unfortunately a risk when we practice so-called "non-permanent" hair removal methods. They occur when the hair follicle is blocked by dead skin cells, and as a result the hair begins to grow under the deviating skin so their normal growth grows. This is especially common in people with curly, thick hair or after a recent shave. Sometimes, these hairs can even come out of the skin, before bending and re-entering.

You'll notice when you have an ingrown hair, a small pimple may appear around this area, which can be itchy - and you can even see the hair grow under your skin.

Very few people have ever suffered, however there are steps to avoid them, and minimize the risk of seeing an ingrown hair appear.

exfoliate

Exfoliation is your first and best defense against ingrown hairs. It is by exfoliating your skin that you will get rid of dead skin that can clog the follicles and cause ingrown hairs. The best time to do it is in the bath or in the shower. Before your shower or bath, start by brushing your skin with a dry horsehair glove or an exfoliating sponge, this will soften the dry skin. Then wet your entire body from head to toe using a sponge or loofah. Start by making small circles on your skin. Go off your feet and climb your body, paying close attention to certain areas such as the jersey area, as the skin may be very sensitive. This should not take much time, but this simple routine is the best way to avoid ingrown hairs.

Choose the right hair removal method

Some hair removal methods are far more likely to cause ingrown hairs than others, so it is important that you choose the right one for you.

The shave is certainly fast, but the hairs cut at the ends are much more likely to dig into the skin and grow inwards.
Depilatory creams may run a risk similar to shaving because it is also a form of depilation except that the hairs are dissolved rather than cut.
Waxing is often the best option to avoid ingrown hairs as it completely removes hairs at the root. Because they do not grow back, it's important to exfoliate your skin to keep your follicles clean, to make sure they do not tilt the hair inward. Hot wax is the ideal hair removal solution because as mentioned above, the heat allows the pores to open so the hair can be removed cleanly.
 

Whichever method you choose, it is important to make sure that you are comfortable with it, as it is often a bad technique that causes ingrown hairs. So always read the instructions, and remember that there is only practice that will give you a result close to perfection!