How to Get Rid of and Prevent Ingrown Hairs in the Bikini Area

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 tell you how to treat existing ones and prevent them from ever making their way onto your bikini area (and elsewhere) 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 it looks identical to a whitehead. However, 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 soften the bump, reducing its pain 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 working, it may be time to see a doctor. Depending on the state of your skin, they’ll likely prescribe you a retinoid to increase cell turnover or a topical steroid to reduce the inflammation of the area.

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 tight pants, and no vigorous exercise.

5. Make the switch to laser hair removal

Why not stop the endless cycle of shaving and getting ingrowns? Laser hair removal offers a more permanent solution, using 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 and stem cells so that the hair doesn’t grow back, making ingrown hairs a thing of the past!

A series of laser hair removal treatments can result in up to 80% permanent hair reduction, saving you time and money in the long run compared to shaving. Not to mention, that hair that remains will be softer and easier to manage.

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, where all treatments are performed by skilled and experienced registered nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician associates, so you know you’re in good hands!