Sometimes our bodies just seem out to get us. There are so many natural tendencies that are so frustrating to us; and none are more infuriating than that of ingrown hairs! We’ve all been there. You’re hairy so you tend to it, but then after a while you have these strange bumps thrown back in your face. We know this can be a hassle, so we teach you how to get rid of ingrown hair in painless ways.
It feels like you just can’t win. Trying to avoid hairiness only leads to another issue. But does it have to? No. We’ve come up with this list of tips for how to get rid of ingrown hair, before it happens. If it’s too late, then don’t worry; we’ve also got many solutions to getting rid of them.
So no matter what stage you’re at, we’re here to the rescue!
How to Prevent Ingrown Hair
Skin Care
The most important step you can take, before you have to wonder how to get rid of ingrown hair, is to take preventative action. Caring for your skin properly daily can help you avoid ingrown hairs. There are many steps you can take to care for your skin, but here are our three most important ones.
Exfoliation— The build-up of dead skin cells are the main things that are going to block hair follicles and lead to ingrown hair. That is why you need to regularly exfoliate your skin to make sure that you’re always getting rid of any dead skin. If you’re shaving daily or very regularly than you should make sure to exfoliate 2-3 times a week. However, make sure to never exfoliate directly before or after removing the hair, your skin is more likely to get damaged that way.
Cleansing— Cleansing can also help remove dead skin cells. Regularly cleansing your face is going to help clear out your pores and hair follicles to allow them to grow.
Moisturizing— The last two steps are going to strip your skin of any natural hydration, so you need to restore that moisture. Dry skin can also be another cause for ingrown hairs, so to avoid that and to avoid dead skin cells you should be regularly hydrating your skin.
Shave Less Frequently
If your hair removal method of choice is shaving, you need to go about things very carefully. Shaving is one of the most likely methods that can cause ingrown hairs. Your best bet to avoid this is to not shave as frequently as you are. You need to allow your skin to recover and grow hair back before removing it again.
Another trick is to be very gentle, the harder you push down with the blade the worse. Light and gentle strokes will give you a smoother shave that doesn’t simply cut the hairs and cause ingrown hairs.
Solutions
Switch It Up
If you’re already suffering from ingrown hairs, then the easiest solution could be to try a different hair removal method. Sometimes it could be that the specific method you’re using does not work with you. We’re all different, that’s why there are so many different methods out there. Try something different!
Prep, Prep, Prep!
If you’ve gotten ingrown hairs, then you need to change your hair removal routine. Dedicate more time to the process and go about things the right way.
A step you can take is to save the hair removal to after your shower. Most women do it while in there, but post-shower skin is usually soothed and softer and your hair follicles are opened up.
I’m going to say it again, exfoliating is your best friend! Even if you’ve already gotten the ingrown hair, exfoliating can really help to ease it out and avoid getting any more next time.
Tea Tree Oil
While this oil is known to help with breakouts, it can also help soothe your ingrown hair. Applying tea tree oil to it will help it come out easier and avoid any irritation. This will also work perfectly to help reduce inflammation after this final solution…
Get Rid of It!
If you’ve done all you can and that ingrown hair isn’t going anywhere, then you’re going to have to deal with it. You have to be very careful with how you approach this to avoid any irritation.
Start by gently exfoliating your skin, don’t use anything too harsh as you really don’t want to irritate this any further. Then you’re going to want to apply hot water to it to help open up the follicle as much as possible, soak a towel in hot water and rest it on the ingrown hair for a while.
Finally, take a clean tweezer and attempt to pull the hair out. This could be slightly painful depending on how deep the hair is, but if you follow these steps you should avoid any pain or inflammation.
Then, as mentioned, apply your tea tree oil to the area to soothe the follicle and avoid any future ingrown hairs. Now you’ve learned how to get rid of ingrown hairs, you won’t get any again.
