How to Stop Getting Ingrowns After Shaving

Prone to getting ingrown hairs after shaving? You’re not alone. Turns out, it’s actually really common to get ingrowns after shaving — especially if you have coarse, curly hair that’s prone to curling into your skin.

If you’re sick of seeing ingrowns after your hair removal sesh, consider changing your overall shaving technique and invest in a few good skincare products to keep your skin smooth, healthy, and irritation-free.

Here’s your quick and easy guide to putting an end to post-shave ingrowns.

Shave Less

That’s an easy one. Explain??

It might seem like a good idea to raze away body hair on a daily basis, but it can actually set you up for a body full of ingrowns. When you try to remove hair that’s shorter than 1/4 of an inch, either through shaving or waxing, hair ends up breaking in half instead of being pulled out of the root or cut off at the surface — leading to ingrown hairs and A LOT of irritation.

Aim to shave no more than twice a week to avoid ingrown hairs.

Exfoliate Before Shaving

According to dermatologists, an ingrown hair often occurs when the hair follicle is clogged with dead skin cells — causing a hair to grow sideways. Regular exfoliation can help sweep away dead skin cells on the skin’s surface, keeping you ingrown-free.

Opt for a chemical exfoliant like lactic, glycolic, or salicylic acid which can help dissolve excess oil and dead skin cells that trap ingrowns. Alternatively, grab a washcloth, saturate it in warm water, and move it around your skin in circular motions to buff away dead skin.

Fortunately, there are many serums available today that contain exfoliating ingredients like these like Rainbow’s Glow Serum — a radiance-boosting blend of glycolic acid and bakuchiol.

Exfoliating before shaving doesn’t just prevent ingrowns. It can also help prevent razor bumps, razor burn, and general skin irritation caused by shaving.

Always Use Shaving Cream

Shaving gel, cream, or butter — you decide. Just make sure you use some form of lubrication to give an extra slip to the skin so blades don’t drag. Most of these formulas soak into the skin and soften hair for an overall easy razor glide.

Whether you’re shaving your armpits, bikini line, or legs, everywhere you plan on dragging a razor over needs to be lathered up with shaving cream first, otherwise you can expect a body full of nicks, red bumps, and ingrown hairs.

Using shaving cream helps you achieve a close shave for that soft on sheets level of silkiness. You can also try using a warm compress before you shave to soothe your skin and reduce your risk of post-shave irritation.

Try Rainbow’s Smooth Shave Butter for an effortlessly smooth shave. It’s made with coconut and vanilla to hydrate skin while warding off irritation.

Start with a Sharp Razor

If you’re not shaving with a sharp razor, you’ll end up applying more pressure to the skin, triggering bumps, burns, trapped hairs, and rashes. From your underarms to your legs, always start with a clean, sharp razor to get a close and smooth shave sans irritation.

Shave in the Right Direction

Always shave in the direction of hair growth to prevent the formation of ingrown hairs. Going against the grain may allow for a closer, smoother shave, but it’s easier for hair to curl back into the skin when it’s cut at a sharper angle. Whether you’re shaving your facial hair or your pubic hair, always remember this rule to avoid getting ingrowns and other forms of shave-related irritation, which can leave you feeling very uncomfortable. Shaving with the grain is the easiest way to help prevent ingrown hairs.

Don’t Tweeze

Just spotted a stray hair in your pubic area? As tempting as it may be to go grab your tweezers and pluck it out, take a pass. Tweezing the hair can leave a fragment of hair under the skin’s surface, which can cause inflammation and ultimately an ingrown hair.

It doesn’t matter where a hair pops up (other than your eyebrows of course), avoid reaching for the tweezers to prevent ingrowns. If it’s really frustrating you, try cutting it with a trimmer instead.

Treat with Tea Tree Oil

If you’re seeing any redness or irritation after shaving, dilute several drops of tea tree oil with water and apply the solution to affected areas. A natural anti-inflammatory, tea tree can help soothe any burns, pimples, or rashes while stopping ingrowns from sprouting.

Moisturize

Moisturizing keeps your skin smooth and hydrated after shaving, thus reducing the chance for irritation. We recommend using a rich and nourishing lotion, and applying a generous amount all over to support your skin barrier and keep irritation at bay.

Try Rainbow’s Hydrate Body Butter, a thick and fluffy lotion formulated with hydrating coconut and antibacterial vanilla to deeply condition and strengthen skin while keeping skin clear of irritation and ingrowns.

Consider Using an Electric Shaver

If you’re constantly dealing with ingrowns and razor burns, you might want to consider using another tool to shave with, like an electric razor, trimmer, or clippers.

They’re not exactly the ideal tools for getting a super close shave. However, they’re a much better option for people who are prone to getting ingrown hairs. It’s definitely worth considering if ingrowns are getting you down.

Speak to Your Dermatologist About Laser Hair Removal

There are precautions you can take to prevent ingrowns after shaving. However, sometimes they can be difficult to control. One of the best ways to stop them from forming altogether is to try laser therapy. This procedure removes hair at a deeper level, keeping it from growing back over time. It might just be the best hair removal method for you. Speak to your dermatologist before booking an appointment.

Ingrowns are painful and annoying, but you can prevent them from making your life uncomfortable by following these fundamental shaving tips. Once you learn how to prep and shave properly, you won’t have to deal with razor burn, bumps, or ingrowns again.