How to Treat and Prevent Ingrown Hairs
A Grooming Guide for a Smooth, Bump-Free Look
Ingrown hairs are the annoying speed bumps on the road to a smooth shave and a sharp neckline. They pop up when hairs curl back into the skin instead of growing out. This can cause irritation, redness, and sometimes painful bumps. Whether you prefer to be clean-shaven or keep your beard tidy with crisp edges, preventing and treating ingrown hairs should be part of your grooming routine. With every shave and beard trim, I tend to the skin by removing the ingrown hairs if needed (safely and with proper sanitation), and educate my clients on how to properly treat and prevent them from happening. Let’s dive into these golden nuggets of info:
What Causes Ingrown Hairs?
Ingrown hairs are most common in areas where hair is frequently shaved, trimmed, or plucked. They occur when:
The skin isn’t properly or regularly exfoliated.
Dead skin cells clog follicles, trapping new hair underneath.
Bacteria is introduced into your pores and is causing inflammation and infection.
You have coarse or curly hair that is more prone to growing back into the skin rather than straight out.
The hair is shaved too closely without exfoliation and causes the hair to grow internally without the opportunity to break through the skin.
How to Treat Ingrown Hairs
Already dealing with an ingrown hair? Don’t pick at it—this can lead to scarring and infection. Instead, follow these steps:
Exfoliate Gently – Use a warm washcloth and a mild exfoliating scrub to help loosen the trapped hair. A soft-bristle (unused) toothbrush can also work in small, circular motions. I prefer to keep an exfoliating brush in the shower to easily use with a gentle cleanser while the hot water is steaming my skin.
Apply Warm Compresses – Soak a washcloth in warm water and press it against the affected area for a few minutes to soften the skin. Fresh out of the hot shower also works.
Use a Sterile Needle or Tweezers – If the hair is visible, carefully lift it out using a sterilized pair of tweezers. To sterilize your needle or tweezers, use rubbing alcohol pads or soak a cotton ball with isopropyl alcohol, and fully clean the tool. If the hair isn’t poking out from the skin and easily available to grasp, it’s best to leave it alone and let it do it’s thing naturally. The more you mess with it to force it out, the more you risk infection and scarring. If you’re unsure if it’s ready to be plucked, leave it alone and avoid shaving over it until it grows more and becomes less inflamed.
Soothe the Skin – Apply an anti-inflammatory or antiseptic solution, such as witch hazel, tea tree oil, organic apple cider vinegar (if you can stand the smell), or an aftershave balm with salicylic acid, to reduce redness and prevent infection. If you have sensitive skin, witch hazel is your best option as it’s more mild and will clean the area while still soothing. If you have any swelling in the area that you want to remedy, you can hold an ice cube on the blemish. Applying witch hazel before and after the ice cube will lower the risk of infection.
Let It Heal – If the ingrown hair isn’t causing major irritation, leave it alone and let your body naturally push it out over time. If you begin to notice a cyst starting to form… I recommend contacting a dermatologist so they can safely remove it for you. It’s best to leave the bigger jobs to the professionals so you don’t create a problem that’s worse than what you started with.
How to Prevent Ingrown Hairs
The best way to deal with ingrown hairs is to stop them before they start. The best vocab word for today is EXFOLIATE. Learn it, live it, love it, and follow these steps:
1. Prepare Your Skin Before Shaving
Wash your face with warm water, a gentle cleanser, and an exfoliating device like a cleansing brush or gloves to remove dirt and oils and slough off the dead skin that causes the pores to clog. A one stop wonder that I constantly recommend: BAKING SODA. It’s all natural, and gritty enough to exfoliate but gentle enough to avoid further irritation. Baking soda is also very cost effective and won’t break the bank. I like to keep a jar in my shower so I can scoop some out and use it without making a mess.
Shave after a hot shower when hair is soft and pores are open. If you don’t have time to hop in the shower, you can soak a clean washcloth with hot water and hold it to the area you’re shaving for about 30 seconds before you apply your shaving oil or cream.
Use a pre-shave oil or gel to soften the hair and create a protective barrier and nourish the skin during your shave. You want your blade to glide gently not tug.
2. Upgrade Your Shaving Routine
Use a sharp, clean razor—dull blades tug at the hair, making it more likely to grow back improperly. Additionally, having a clean and sterile blade prevents bacteria from entering your pores.
Shave with the grain (the direction your hair grows) to minimize irritation. Yes shaving against the grain gives a smoother feel… but will 100% cause you more issues if your skin isn’t used to it or if you have coarse hair. 9 times out of 10 I only shave my clients with the grain, rather than against.
Avoid stretching the skin too much while shaving, as this can cause hairs to retract beneath the surface.
3. Exfoliate Regularly
Use a gentle exfoliating scrub, like baking soda, or chemical exfoliant (like salicylic or glycolic acid) 2-3 times a week to remove dead skin cells and prevent clogged pores.
If you have sensitive skin, opt for a clean washcloth and a gentle cleanser to get the job done.
4. Keep Your Skin Moisturized
Apply a lightweight, non-comedogenic moisturizer after shaving to keep skin hydrated and supple. I really like CeraVe for this.
Look for products with soothing ingredients like aloe vera, chamomile, or niacinamide to calm irritation.
Rubbing an ice cube or a clean cold roller on your face after a shave can really soothe the skin and bring down any irritation.
5. Consider an Electric Razor or Trimmer
If you frequently deal with ingrown hairs, switching to an electric razor or trimming hair slightly longer can reduce irritation.
Using a single-blade safety razor may also help, as it prevents cutting hairs too close to the skin. The more blades you have on your razor, the more irritation you can incur. Every blade is one more irritating pass that you can easily avoid.
Final Thoughts
Ingrown hairs don’t have to be a constant battle. With the right shaving techniques, exfoliation routine, and skin care habits, you can minimize irritation and keep your face or neckline looking sharp. Whether you rock a clean shave or a well-groomed beard, taking care of your skin is just as important as keeping your hair in check. A little effort goes a long way in maintaining a smooth, bump-free look. Your barber should have this knowledge on hand if you have questions during your next cut, but getting regular facials (yes men get facials too) can also help prevent build up and skin issues. In extreme cases, consulting a dermatologist is also recommended.
This post contains affiliate links to some of my favorite products that I recommend to make your smooth skin journey even more accessible. Currently, I’m in the process of developing a game changer to help you even further and create a one stop shop for all of your skin, hair, and scalp needs. If you want the latest and greatest updates on this secret project of mine as well as first dibs on these blog posts, be sure to subscribe to my mailing list by clicking the link below. Talk soon!
XOXO,
Andy Fischer
