Ingrown hairs can be a pesky side effect of hair removal methods like waxing. They occur when the removed hair grows back into the skin instead of rising up from the follicle. The hair gets trapped underneath, resulting in inflammation, redness, and pain in some cases. If left untreated, it can lead to further complications like infections, scars, and dark spots. While ingrown hairs can’t always be prevented completely after waxing, there are several tips and tricks that can help you in Preventing Ingrown Hairs After Waxing.
Prepare The Skin Properly Before Waxing
One of the key ways to prevent ingrown hairs after waxing is ensuring your skin is well prepared before the procedure. Here are some tips:
- Exfoliate – Use a gentle scrub 1-2 times a week leading up to waxing to remove dead skin cells and allow hair to exit easily. Avoid harsh exfoliants that can cause irritation.
- Softening treatments – Use products containing ingredients like sugar, honey or oil a few days prior to soften the hair slightly for easier removal. Just don’t overdo it.
- Avoid heat treatments – Steer clear of hot baths, showers, saunas for 1-2 days pre-waxing as heat opens up pores allowing hair to break off below skin.
- Trim longer hair – Long hair is more prone to breakage so trim down to about 1 cm using scissors prior. Avoid shaving/tweezing instead.
- Cleanse and dry skin – Wash skin just before waxing to prevent infection. Ensure the area is 100% dry to allow wax to grip hair properly.
Follow Proper Post-Wax Care
How you tend to your skin after waxing plays a big role in preventing ingrown hairs. Here are some essential aftercare tips:
- No scrubbing – Avoid using scrubs, loofahs, or hard brushes on freshly waxed skin for at least 48 hours as they can irritate follicles.
- Apply toner – Use an alcohol-free toner which contains ingredients like witch hazel or lavender immediately after waxing to close pores and soothe skin.
- Use a chemical exfoliant – Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) or beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) help prevent ingrown hairs by clearing dead cells and allowing hair to surface. Apply a liquid exfoliant daily post-waxing.
- Keep skin dry – Allow your skin to breathe by wearing loose, breathable fabrics for 24-48 hours after waxing. This prevents moisture build-up and bacteria overgrowth.
- Apply cold compress – Placing an ice pack wrapped in cloth over freshly waxed areas provides relief from inflammation and redness. Do it a few times a day for 5-10 minutes.
- Use an after-wax lotion – Look for creams containing anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antioxidant ingredients like aloe vera, tea tree oil, calendula etc. Apply twice daily.
Adopt Preventative Lifestyle Habits
Your daily habits and lifestyle also impact your chances of getting ingrown hairs. Here are some changes you can make:
- Stay hydrated – Drink at least 2-3 liters of water daily to keep skin supple and less prone to ingrown hairs. Water makes up 70% of our body and affects all functions.
- Healthy diet – Eating foods rich in vitamin A, C and E allows better collagen production, cell growth and fights infection. Include citrus fruits, leafy greens, nuts and fish in your meals.
- Gentle products – Opt for mild, fragrance-free cleansers, moisturizers and scrubs formulated for sensitive skin. Harsh chemicals can strip natural oils causing more irritation and ingrowns.
- Loose clothing – Tight fitting pants, shapewear or underwear places friction on hair follicles making ingrown more likely, especially in the bikini area. Go for loose, breathable fabrics as far as possible.
- Avoid shaving between waxes – Shaving irritates skin and causes blunt tip hairs which have a harder time surfacing through skin. It’s best to let the hair grow out between waxing sessions.
How To Treat Ingrown Hairs
While you can take all the above precautions, ingrown hairs may still occur in some people more prone to them. Here are some remedies you can use at home to treat ingrown hairs:
- Warm compress – Apply a warm, wet towel or cloth to the affected area for 10 minutes 2-3 times a day. The moisture softens skin allowing the trapped hair to surface.
- Sugar scrub – Mix granulated sugar with a little water or olive oil to make a paste. Gently rub on ingrown spots using circular motions for 2-3 minutes to exfoliate. Rinse after 5 minutes.
- Tea tree oil – Its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties help reduce swelling, redness and even bring the ingrown hair to head. Use an undiluted cotton bud on spots 2-3 times a day.
- Retinoid cream – OTC retinoids boost cell turnover allowing the hair to exit. Apply sparingly over ingrown area daily at night as it causes sun sensitivity.
- Sit in a warm bath – Add 2 cups of Epsom salt in warm water and soak affected area for 15-20 minutes. This softens skin and acts as an antiseptic. Pat dry and apply moisturizer after.
- Salicylic acid pads – Wipe over area using pads soaked in this BHA exfoliant. It gently removes dead cells trapped around hair and clears debris. Use a few times a week.
If the ingrown hair becomes increasingly painful, swollen or oozes pus, it’s best to see your dermatologist. They may need to extract the trapped hair using a sterile needle and prescribe antibiotic creams/oral medication if infected. Getting timely treatment prevents further complications like cysts or scarring.
Ingrown hairs are largely unavoidable with hair removal methods like waxing for those prone to their occurrence. However, with diligent pre and post-wax skin preparation along with prompt home care, you can reduce their frequency and intensity to quite an extent. Adopt long term preventative habits as well for best results. Stay well hydrated, eat healthy, wear loose breathable fabrics and use only gentle products on your skin. I sincerely hope you find this “Preventing Ingrown Hairs After Waxing-Tips and Tricks” article helpful.