We get that hair removal can be a pain (quite literally). No matter what your choice of weapon is—razor, epilator or hot wax—it’s safe to say that the entire process can be cumbersome. What’s even worse? Dealing with ingrown hair—a phenomenon we’ve all encountered at some point. Thankfully, with the right kinds of body care products and a few tweaks to your routine, ingrown hair can be dealt with without any fuss or muss.
To get to the bottom of this, we spoke to Dr Madhuri Agarwal, founder and medical director, Yavana Aesthetics Clinic. She explained the dos and don’ts of ingrown hair removal and ways to prevent it from reoccurring each time you shave or wax. But we are getting ahead of ourselves.
Let’s start with the basics, shall we?
What is ingrown hair?
“It’s a hair that grows inwards instead of growing outwards.” explains Dr Agarwal. “It usually happens when the hair is thick and course in areas such as underarms, legs, beard, or pubic area. It is caused by the inflammation of the hair follicle and the skin around it.”
This can be due to genetics, curly hair, or even incorrect hair removal techniques. The expert says, “After a few days of hair removal, itchy, red rash, or dark bumps with whiteheads will be visible initially. On healing, this leaves behind raised, thick bumps with dark spots, which take months to clear.”
An expert’s guide to treating ingrown hair
As we said, treating ingrown hair requires patience. While you wait, however, there are a few body care tips one can incorporate in their daily routine to help expedite the process—and here’s what Dr Agarwal recommends.
#1: Keep the area clean
Skin impurities like debris or dead skin cells can clog your pores, causing inflammation, resulting in ingrown hair. To avoid this, it is crucial to use a non-comedogenic, mild, and non-foaming cleanser. This will gently cleanse the area and keep you free of ingrown hair.
Tira recommends:
The Derma Co 1% Salicylic Acid Daily Exfoliating Body Wash
Pears Pure & Gentle Original Body Wash
#2: Opt for a chemical exfoliator
Dr Agarwal suggests opting for a chemical exfoliator as part of your body your body care routine. Products with ingredients such as salicylic acid or glycolic acid can slough away any sort of dead skin cells that are calling your pores their home. However, avoid using physical scrubs as they may be too harsh on the skin and can aggravate existing conditions.
Tira recommends:
Minimalist 11% Glycolic Acid & Tranexamic Acid AHA BHA Body Exfoliator
Dr. Sheth's Gulab & Glycolic Acid Body Peel
#3: Moisturise:
Invest in a moisturiser that contains ceramides, squalane, and lactic acid. These hydrating ingredients will nourish the area while reducing inflammation or irritation.
Tira recommends:
82°E Body Milk SPF 20 PA++ with Coconut and Ceramides
#4: Avoid picking at your skin:
While it may seem tempting, do not attempt to pluck or pick at the ingrowth hair. This can push the hair deeper into the skin and aggravate the issue even further.
#5: Opt for an anti-bacterial:
Apply an anti-bacterial on your skin after hair removal, to prevent any infection in the ingrown hair follicle.
#6: Be mindful about your clothing :
Avoid tight clothing or synthetic fabrics as they can flare up the infection.
#7: Try chemical peels:
Another option for ingrown hair removal are chemical peels which’ll help exfoliate the skin at a deeper level. To do this, Dr Aggarwal recommends visiting a dermatologist as this requires a higher concentration of peel ingredients which are best conducted in-clinic.
How to prevent ingrown hair from reoccurring?
“The first step is to stop the hair removal method which is causing the ingrown hair,” says Dr Agarwal. She advises stopping all hair removal methods for at least 1-2 months. “Once the hair grows to 1cm, the issue usually clears on its own.” While laser hair reduction is the best form of hair removal to avoid ingrown hair, the expert recommends other tips to keep in mind when dealing with this issue.
Tip #1: Avoid dry shaving (no matter how big of an emergency it is). Instead, use a shaving foam or body wash and apply it in the direction of the hair. This calms the skin and follicles down and blunts the hair edge, which reduces the chances of ingrowth. Also, avoid stretching the area while shaving as it retreats the follicle back inside.
Tip #2: Remember to wax before taking a shower and take an anti-allergic medication before waxing to reduce any reaction.
Tip #3: It’s all about post care—always moisturise, and avoid active ingredients, perfumes and toners immediately after shaving or waxing.
Tip #4: In case you don’t want to opt for the laser hair removal method, chemical hair removal creams are an option. However, the side effect is it can be irritating and can also cause darkening of the area.
Expert’s note: Ingrown hair treatment depends on the various factors. Incase, the ingrown hair is painful, infected, and inflamed, please consult with a dermatologist for appropriate medications to treat the acute infection.
