Ingrown hairs can happen anywhere in the body. A hair incarnates when the follicle curls under the epithelial surface. The area becomes inflamed and red, causing pain. Usually, ingrown hairs form after shaving. Shaving means cutting the hair. The irregularity combined with the intensity of the cut can push the hair to curve on itself under the skin. The armpits are a particularly sensitive area, where ingrown hair is common. Use these tips to counteract their appearance.
Steps
Step 1. Shave properly
- Use gel instead of foam. Foams tend to dry out the skin in the armpits, leading to irritation and ingrown hair. Choose shaving gels created for delicate skin. They are usually very lubricating.
- Wet your armpits well before shaving. Damp armpits and wet hair in general cut better than dry ones. When they are dry, the hairs are more resistant and the razor struggles to remove them, breaking them incorrectly. Best to keep your armpits moist for 5 minutes before shaving.
- Shave in the sense of growth. Many prefer to go against the grain for added smoothness, but shaving in the growing direction will ensure that the hair does not get trapped under the skin.
- Do not stretch your skin when you shave. You would risk cutting the hair too short.
- Apply light pressure. Pushing too hard with the razor could cause you to cut the skin, inflaming the area and allowing hair to get trapped under the inflammation.
- Razor the area only once. Multiple passes can irritate the skin.
Step 2. Choose a high quality razor, replacing the blades often
- Using an electric razor avoids regrowth under the skin, as it doesn't cut as deeply as a disposable one.
- Purchase a multipurpose, interchangeable razor with at least three blades and a rotating head. Disposable ones with one and two blades pull the skin and wear out quickly. Older ones, on the other hand, are known to favor hair incarnation.
Step 3. Exfoliate your skin regularly
- Do an armpit scrub with a glove or sponge covered in exfoliant. This will remove dirt and oils from the surface of the armpits.
- Buy specific salicylic acid solutions. They are often creamy and prevent razor burn as well as ingrown hair.
Step 4. Maintain proper personal hygiene and moisturized skin
- Wash your armpits regularly to remove dirt and grease. With their accumulation, in fact, you would favor the production of ingrown hairs.
- Use a moisturizer to smooth underarm skin and make shaving easier.
Step 5. Decrease the frequency of shaving
Advice
- In many cases, it is the shaving itself that causes regrowth under the skin. A different method can help you eliminate the problem in the area. Waxing and epilating are great options, albeit more painful than shaving.
- A dermatologist could treat chronic under-skin regrowth with a cream and, in extreme cases, with electrolysis.
- Choosing not to shave completely is the best way to avoid ingrown hairs in the armpits.
Warnings
- Avoid creams that clog pores. This way you would have a lot more ingrown hairs.
- Do not try to remove ingrown hairs with tweezers. Using tweezers frees the hair but removes it entirely causing further irritation and even infection.
- Avoid waxing. Break the fur under the skin by trapping it.
