You’d think after putting ourselves through a painful session of waxing would make sure we have smooth skin. But most often, we’re leave with ingrowth, which is quite a bummer. Be it a tedious session of shaving or waxing, pesky ingrowth can plays spoilsport almost every time. Fret not, ladies, for getting rid of hair ingrowth is quite easy. Here are some simple things you can do to help get rid of ingrowth.
Here’s how to prevent ingrown hair
1. Choose loose fitting clothes
If you’re prone to ingrown hair, then try to stay away from tightly fitted clothes that cause unnecessary friction. This causes your hair follicles to push the hair back down causing the dreaded in-growth. We understand that sometimes you just need to put on those sexy skintight pants, however try opting to loose fitting garments the majority of the time, especially in humidity.
2. Always use shaving cream
There is a reason men use shaving cream, it’s so that their skin is moisturised and the follicle doesn’t get too damaged during shaving. If you shave your bikini area, it is imperative to use a shaving cream as the skin around that area is sensitive and prone to a few ingrown hair.
POPxo recommends: Aromatherapy Associates Refinery Shave Foam Gel (Rs 2,040) is a great unisex shaving cream that moisturises skin too.
3. Shave at the end of your shower
Most women shave at the beginning of the shower when the skin is still dry, giving no time for their hair follicles to open up. Shaving after or towards the end of a warm shower when the skin is moist and your hair softer, minimising the damage shaving causes to hair follicles.
POPxo Recommends: Gillette Venus Breeze (Rs 299) has gel lather bars with 3 blades that help with a smoother finish and gentle shaving experience.
4. Exfoliate your skin once a week
Exfoliated skin, sans all the dead skin is proven to reduce the risk of ingrown hair. Using a gentle exfoliating body scrub daily with your shower gel will definitely help reduce ingrowth. Remember not to over-exfoliate as that can also further irritate skin.
POPxo recommends: Palmolive Thermal Spa Skin Renewal Shower Gel (Rs 99) is a perfect budget-friendly exfoliating body scrub for daily use.
Ways to get rid of ingrown hair
1. Use a loofah to brush off dead skin
When you get an ingrown hair, you have to get rid of the layer of skin around the hair follicle that is affected. Use a strong loofah to gently brush off dead skin cells that could be causing the hair to be trapped. A natural one is better as it is still gentle on the skin compared to synthetic shower sponges.
POPxo Recommends: Vega Basic Hand Loofah (Rs 199) is a 100% natural and exfoliates the skin beautifully.
2. Exfoliate targetted areas
The first thing to do in the area that has the ingrown hair is to exfoliate. Exfoliating helps get rid of the dead skin and release trapped hair underneath the top layer of skin. We suggest a stronger exfoliator that can really target that area and be effective.
POPxo Recommends: AHAVA Dead Sea Plants Smoothing Body Exfoliator (Rs 1,862) has moroccan argan shells, date kernel, grape seeds and sugarcane that really give a smooth finish.
3. Treat it like a zit
Whether it’s hair or dirt trapped in pores, it is easy for it to get infected. Treating it like a regular zit, with acne creams or washes will stop any infection from happening. Products with salicylic acid will help with this. Use it on the affected area a couple of times a day along with exfoliating to get rid of ingrown hair.
POPxo Recommends: Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash (Rs 494) is the best anti-acne formula and can be used on the body and face.
4. Seek advice from a dermatologist
If these steps don’t work, go to see your dermatologist before proceeding with any other treatment/method. There are many spa and beauty treatments that your doc can help you with. So if the situation is getting worse, or you just can’t get rid of them, head to your preferred dermatologist.
