No matter how you remove your body hair, ingrown hairs always seem to crop up. Whether you shave, wax, sugar, or tweeze, you can’t stop the tiny hairs that stubbornly regrow back under your skin instead of through the surface. These little red bumps can be painful, itchy, and unsightly in areas where you were hoping for a smooth surface.
Ingrown hairs happen, but they can be avoided with some prep work. The best way to get rid of ingrown hairs is to prevent them! Here are the top Wax Tech-approved ways to avoid those annoying, painful red bumps to keep your skin smooth.
Exfoliate, Exfoliate, Exfoliate!
Whatever hair removal method you prefer, you should always exfoliate before. Exfoliating regularly helps remove the build up of dead skin cells that can clog your hair follicles. Gently exfoliate the area in which you wish to remove the hairs by using a dry brush in your routine regularly or a gently exfoliating scrub. We recommend the SRSLY Buffed Exfoliating Dry Brush!
Clean Skin First
Before and after hair removal, you should wash your skin with warm water and a gentle cleanser to help clear away any bad bacteria. It helps prevent bacteria from entering the hair follicle which helps prevent painful red bumps from forming.
Moisturize Regularly and Soften the Skin Pre-Shave/Wax
Keeping your skin moisturized can help keep your hair and skin stay hydrated, be less prone to over-drying, and be less likely to break or pull, making the hair easier to shave. Hydrated skin makes hair removal a breeze and less painful.
Take it one step further for a better hair removal experience and lubricate the skin with a body oil like the Jojoba & Apricot Emollient Body Oil about 10 minutes before your shave session. Oils tend to be more effective at softening the skin than leaving a shaving cream.
Shave in the Direction of the Hair Growth
You’re probably shaving against the direction of the hair growth, thinking it’s the best way to remove as much hair as possible. While it might be true, it also leads to more ingrown hairs. Try shaving in the direction of hair grown to prevent ingrown hairs. Bonus tip: swap out your dull razors regularly for a fresh, sharp razor to minimize ingrown hairs.
After Care is Just as Important
After hair removal, taking care of your skin is just as important as prepping your skin to prevent those pesky ingrown hairs. 24-48 hrs after hair removal, treat the area with an exfoliating treatment that contains salicylic acid like the Glycolic & Green Tea 3-in-1 Exfoliating Pads for Body. Avoid rubbing alcohol or alcohol-based products as they just dry out the skin.
Your best offense is a good defense. Give these tips a try and enjoy the smooth skin that follows.