Ingrown hairs are frustrating to deal with, especially when they pop up around the bikini line. If you find yourself constantly dealing with ingrown hairs, read on to learn more about what causes them, how to treat them, and how to prevent them in the first place.
What Are Ingrown Hairs?
An ingrown hair is a hair that grows into the skin, rather than straight out of the hair follicle. Ingrown hairs are most common around areas where you may shave. In addition to the bikini line, this includes your armpits, chest, back, and legs. They can get painful and inflamed, particularly when there are micro infections in the follicle.
What Causes Ingrown Hairs?
Ingrown hairs are often the result of shaving, waxing, or tweezing, as the hair may grow back into the skin. Tight clothing (particularly underwear) may also cause ingrown hairs, as it prevents the hair from growing straight out of the hair follicle.
Anyone can get ingrown hairs, but they are more common in people with curly or thick hair. Curly hair in particular is more likely to curl into the skin, which is why people with this hair type are more prone to ingrown hair.
How to Get Rid of Ingrown Hairs
If you’re currently dealing with ingrown hairs, here are a few ways you can get rid of them:
- Exfoliate: Scrub the affected area twice a day, using either an exfoliating glove or an exfoliating wash with a washcloth. Exfoliating will remove the build-up in the follicle that is trapping the hair inside, and it may allow the hair to come out through the skin. Be gentle with this process. Scrubbing too hard may lead to irritation and infection. With that in mind, you should also avoid squeezing the clogged follicle.
- Try Over-the-Counter Products: An astringent (such as witch hazel) may help reduce the swelling around the ingrown hair, making it easier to get it out. Cleansers with benzoyl peroxide can also help clear the area of any infection that might have caused the ingrown hair in the first place.
- Apply a Warm Compress: Wet a washcloth with warm water and apply it against the ingrown hair. Leave it for 10 minutes, re-wetting it with warm water as needed. This may help bring the hair closer to the surface.
- Pull Out the Ingrown Hair: If you are comfortable with doing so, you may be able to pull out an ingrown hair using a sterilized needle or tweezers. Be extremely cautious and avoid cutting your skin, as it may cause infection.
Best Products for Ingrown Hairs
If you need a product that will minimize ingrown hairs, this cleanser will do the trick.
Visha Skincare Top 2 Toe
This all over wash has exfoliating acids which help to remove debris that clog the hair follicles. It also has antimicrobial ingredients, like tea tree oil, which limits the likelihood of infections in the hair follicle, and bakuchiol, which decreases inflammation. This cleanser is safe to use on a daily basis on the bikini line area, as well as all over the body for an effective exfoliating cleanse. This product (along with all Visha Skincare products) is free of parabens, sulfates, fragrances, hydroquinone, and gluten, and is cruelty-free.
Tips to Prevent Ingrown Hairs
- If you want to say goodbye to ingrown hairs for good, prevention is key. Here are a few additional tips for preventing ingrown hairs on your bikini line:
- Prior to shaving or removing hair, clean the area effectively. The Visha Skincare Top 2 Toe wash will exfoliate and fight potential infection-causing organisms with its antimicrobial ingredients.
- Shave or remove hair in the direction of the hair growth on your bikini line. It may not make for the closest shave, but is much less likely to lead to ingrown hairs. When shaving, you should also use a sharp, multi-blade razor.
- After shaving, dry the area thoroughly and moisturize. Products containing tea tree oil or aloe will be particularly beneficial.
- Ingrown hairs get inflamed in warm, moist environments, so it is important to avoid these conditions. This means changing out of wet or moist clothing as soon as possible and allowing enough air to get to areas that are prone to ingrown hairs.
- Avoid putting edible personal hygiene products (like coconut oil or olive oil) in the bikini line area (or any area prone to ingrown hairs), as they can clog pores and make ingrown hairs worse.
- After sweating or working out, apply an antimicrobial body spray. Visha Skincare Cheek 2 Feet has witch hazel, tea tree oil, and thyme oil, which work to minimize ingrown hairs.
The Bottom Line
Ingrown hairs are annoying, especially when they pop up around the bikini line, but they can be treated. Once you’ve treated existing ingrown hairs, the best course of action is taking consistent preventative steps that will keep you ready for bikini season.
