How to Prevent and Treat Ingrown Hair

An ingrown hair irritates the skin. It produces a raised, red bump (or group of bumps) that looks like a little pimple. Sometimes an ingrown hair can form a painful, boil-like sore.

Hair structure and direction of growth play a role in ingrown hairs. A curved hair follicle, which produces tightly curled hair, is believed to encourage the hair to re-enter the skin once the hair is cut and starts to grow back. Shaving creates sharp edges in this type of hair, especially if the hair is dry when shaved.

Exfoliation means getting rid of dead cells.

You should always do it before each epilation, waxing or shaving session and then daily or once every two days.

Ingrown hairs can be caused by the existence of a thick layer of dead skin. It’s pretty logical. The hair can’t break to the surface and grow normally above the skin because of the dead skin so it curls back under.

Right after shaving, apply a pea-sized amount of cream over any irritated spots where you're prone to ingrowns--say, under the arms or along your bikini line. Continue to apply cream to the affected areas twice a day for a few days (but no more than a week, as it can thin the skin) until the inflammation subsides.