Waxing and Shaving 101: Ingrown Hair Removal

It is common for anyone that shaves to develop ingrown hairs after any type of hair removal procedure. This occurs because as the hair begins to grow, it curls back on itself and is unable to break through the skin. This can cause problems such as infection or pain.



Ingrown hairs are much more common in people with curly hair. For this reason you should take time to preparing the skin and hair before removing any of it. Prevention is a simple step that can help avoid future problems.



Preventing Ingrown Hairs



You can prevent ingrown hairs from forming by following these simple steps.



*Always make sure that you are using a sharp blade. Dull blades make the ends of the hair jagged. This makes it easier for them to burrow under the skin.



*Before you shave, prepare your skin with a shaving product that will make skin moist. This helps soften the skin and the hairs. Shaving should be easier and less irritating.



*Use an electric razor rather than a hand razor. An electric razor does not cut the hair to a sharp edge. This helps keep the hair from reentering the follicle.



*If you wax, make sure that your hair growth is at least a quarter of an inch. If it is shorter, chances are the shaft will break during the waxing process. This will make your risk of developing ingrown hairs even higher.



How to Remove Ingrown Hairs after Hair Removal



The basic idea behind ingrown hair removal is to release the hair that is trapped underneath the skin. This should prevent any infection or irritation from setting in. Ingrown hair removal is simple and can easily become part of your daily skin care routine.



After having removed hair (by waxing or shaving) you should exfoliate the treated area. This can help you keep the skin from closing over the hair follicles. Use a body scrub in the shower to make this process easier and faster.



The use of a scrub, or mechanical exfoliation, is a very popular way of exfoliating the skin. However, if you don't want to use abrasive substances then you can use a chemical exfoliator on your face. AHAs and salicylic acid are probably the most popular chemical exfoliators.



These ingredients can be found in several different products. They are normally used to treat acne, and can be used on any skin type as long as it isn't too sensitive. Apply the product to the areas that are usually affected by ingrown hairs (chin and sides of the face) before the hair begins growing back.