.png?width=25&height=25&name=facebook%20(1).png){kind=small}
Treating and preventing ingrown hairs down there
Raise your hand if you’ve ever been personally victimized by an ingrown hair.
The physical and mental pain of an ingrown hair is one to put in the Burn Book…in bright red ink. We’re here to let you know how to treat existing ones and prevent them from ever making their way onto your bikini area (and elsewhere) ever again!
First things first...here's how to treat ingrown hairs in the bikini region
Ingrown hairs are a common side effect of hair removal. Because the hair in the pubic zone is thicker and curlier than the hair on the rest of your body, it tends to turn back into the skin when growing. Luckily, if you have a few cumbersome ingrown hairs, there are a few things you can do to treat them:
1. Avoid squeezing the ingrown at all costs
Squeezing an ingrown hair can be so tempting, given that they look identical to a whitehead. But a failed attempt at squeezing out an ingrown could push the hair even further into the skin and even lead to a skin infection. Seriously, save yourself the risk and opt for one of our other treatment tips below.
2. Apply witch hazel to reduce swelling
Witch hazel is an astringent, meaning it causes skin cells to constrict when applied topically. Because it’s an alcohol-free astringent, witch hazel has the power to deliver all the soothing, healing properties you need while simultaneously reducing the inflamed area.
3. Try a warm compress to ease pain
As the area surrounding an ingrown hair is quite hard and aggravated, a warm compress will help to soften up the bump, reducing how painful it can be to the touch.
4. If ingrowns are chronic, see a doctor for prescription treatment products
If your ingrowns become trapped for too long because the home remedies aren’t doing it for you, it may be time to see a doctor. They’ll likely prescribe you a retinoid to increase cell turnover, or a topical steroid to reduce the inflammation of the area, depending on the state of your skin.
Next up...here's how to prevent ingrown hairs around the bikini line
If you'd rather prevent them altogether rather than focus on treating them as they crop up, follow these tips:
1. Exfoliate first
Ingrown hairs are defined as "an occurrence of when the hair follicle becomes clogged with dead skin cells." Exfoliate all the dead skin off until you’re glowing with a fresh new complexion that leaves no grounds for ingrown hairs to form.
2. Use a sharp, quality blade
Dull razor blades set you up for disaster. The first go-around won’t come out so smooth, so you’ll have to keep going until it’s all gone. Shaving the same area over and over again raises your risk of skin irritation, cuts, and, you guessed it — ingrown hairs.
3. Shave in the direction the hair grows
While shaving in the opposite direction of the hair scores you a closer, quicker shave…the closer the shave, the closer your hair is to growing the other way. So, taking the extra time down there will give you less to worry about in the long run.
4. Avoid friction for 24 hours
No elastic panties, no skinny jeans, and that’s right…no sex.
5. Make the switch to laser hair removal
Laser hair removal uses fast laser light pulses to selectively destroy hair follicles by targeting their melanin. The pigment in the hair follicle absorbs the laser’s light pulse, which safely damages the follicle enough to significantly slow hair regrowth. Lasers travel deeper into the skin to destroy both the hair bulb & stem cells so that the hair doesn’t grow back, making ingrown hairs a thing of the past!
Ready to ditch the razor (and ingrown hairs) for good?
Did we have you convinced in that last part? If you’re ready to hear more about laser hair removal and its lifelong benefits, check out LaserAway, the nation's leading aesthetic dermatology provider with over 100 convenient locations across the United States.
