Ingrown Hairs – Prevention

Ingrown hairs are the last thing you want to see after shaving the face or any other part of the body. Unfortunately, there are many different factors that can contribute to the development of this rather common response to the removal of hair. Whether you are getting rid of your beard or tidying up the bikini line – ingrown hairs can destroy the clean and smooth appearance of freshly shaven regions. However, the more you know about preventing this condition from occurring in the first place will certainly lessen your overall risk.

Ingrown hairs take place when the natural pattern of regrowth becomes disrupted and emerges out of follicles at an angle. If hair tips are jagged and sharp, they can curl back and penetrate the skin – causing irritation, inflammation, and razor bumps. Swelling, itchiness, and pain are common symptoms of ingrown hairs and can attack any place where you use a razor, blade, shaver, or clippers – including the:

Face
Legs
Arm Pits
Genital Region
Bikini Line
Sideburns
Chest

Since ingrown hairs are a common occurrence, you will encounter an array of prevention methods that range from herbal concoctions to simple changes in your shaving habits. A few suggestions include:

using a pre-shave oil
purchasing glycerin-based shaving creams
bringing home a specialized shaving brush
shaving with the grain
treating nicks and cuts immediately
cold water rinses