If you’ve ever waxed or shaved, you’ve probably dealt with one of its side effects, ingrown hairs. They occur when a hair grows under the skin rather than above the skin. For women, ingrown hairs are commonly found in the pubic area. This is because the hair in that region is coarse and curly.   

Ingrown hairs result in inflammation and often a build up of pus. If untreated, ingrown hairs can cause scarring. Although they can be unsightly, ingrown hairs are preventable and treatable.   

Preventing Ingrown Hairs

Here are some tips for preventing ingrown hairs:

·    Exfoliate before and after waxing. If you already have ingrown hairs, avoid exfoliating the skin. It might result in further irritation.

·    Use products designed to prevent and treat ingrown hairs. You can use them   before and after you shave or wax. You can find such products at a salon, online, or at a hair and beauty store.

·    When you wax, make sure you pull hair out by the roots. If the hair breaks off above the root, ingrown hairs may result. You can ensure this by carefully following the directions on the wax kit.

·    When you shave, wait until you’ve been in the shower or bath for a few minutes to soften the hair. This helps prevent the hair from growing into the skin.

·    Shave in the direction of hair growth rather than against it.

Treating Ingrown Hairs

Use the following steps to treat ingrown hairs:

·    When you recognize an ingrown hair, look to see if you can see the hair under the skin.   

·    Once you can, hold a warm compress against the skin in the area of the ingrown hair to soften it. Hold the compress against the skin for several minutes. You may need to repeat the compress a few times throughout the day before you are ready to remove the ingrown hair.

A more drastic step is electrolysis, which permanently removes hair.

Although the purpose of shaving and waxing is to make your skin smooth, you do have to put up with ingrown hairs now and then. But with a few simple steps, you can prevent and treat ingrown hairs and get the smooth look you want. 

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