Being beach-ready at a moment’s notice means perpetual grooming in order to maintain smooth, swimsuit-worthy limbs. However, frequent hair removal by way of shaving, waxing, and threading can also lead to unwanted ingrown hairs. These occur when hair follicles curl back into your skin instead of rising through it. Ingrown hairs can result in painful, unsightly bumps that last a long time if not treated properly. Read on to find out how to get rid of ingrown hairs quickly and efficiently.
The first step to treating ingrown hairs is to throw out your old, dull razors and incorporate regular exfoliation into your grooming routine prior to shaving or waxing. Exfoliate the affected area twice a day with a refining body scrub to bring the ingrown hair to a head. We recommend the Molton Brown Ylang-Ylang Comforting Body Polisher (US $50; AED/SAR 184).
Next, run a washcloth underneath hot water for ten minutes before applying to the affected area to soften skin. This will open up your pores and allow easy extraction of the trapped hair. To remove the ingrown hair, use a sanitized pair of tweezers. Then, apply a soothing anti-inflammatory treatment to soothe any swelling.
The Shaveworks The Cool Fix™ (US $26; AED/SAR 95) combines powerful exfoliating agents to release trapped hair from the skin, and prevent ingrown hairs from reoccurring. The Jack Black Bump Fix™ Razor Bump & Ingrown Hair Solution (US $25; AED/SAR 92) blends salicylic acid with organic chamomile extract to dissolve dead skin cells and free trapped ingrown hairs before soothing and calming the skin. Try the Bliss Ingrown Hair Eliminating Pads (US $38; AED/SAR 140) to banish ingrown hairs. Filled with witch hazel, oat extract, and lavender oil, the pads should be used daily in between waxing or shaving.
Homepage image: Photographed by Joshua Bright, Vogue, June 2010
