Are you plagued with ingrown hairs from shaving your face? Here are ten strategies (plus a bonus) you can take–before, during, and after the shave–to keep those painful, unsightly outbreaks at bay.
Factors That Contribute To Ingrown Hairs
Anyone (everyone?) can get the occasional ingrown hair from shaving. But there are some factors that might predispose someone to making ingrown hairs more likely:
Curly Hair
Curly hair is more likely to curl back and re-enter the skin, particularly after it’s been cut.
Ethnicity
Medical Conditions
People with high levels of certain sex hormones (Gonadotropins, Androgens, Cortisol) or those with hyperthyroidism can have excessive hair growth, which can make ingrown hairs more likely.
Skin That Is Too Dry Or Too Oily
People with very dry skin or very oily skin may be more likely to get ingrown hair. Those with skin that is too dry may have a lot of dead skin cells which may cover the skin’s pores, preventing the hair from getting to surface. Those with very oily skin can have the oil create a similar blockage.
Poor Hygiene
As you might suspect from the prior paragraph, if your skin is dirty pores can get blocked. Poor hygiene can make ingrown hairs much more likely.
So what can you do to avoid the problem? There are a number of things you can do during each stage of the shaving process: