How to Never Get an Ingrown Hair Again, According to Dermatologists

Body hair is personal. If you're good with yours, keep scrolling. If you're curious about the best hair removal method for each body part, we asked dermatologists to break it down for you here. For easy ways to prevent ingrowns (the worst!), get a smoother shave (I was doing it all wrong), and make waxing less painful, read on.


Everything You Need to Know About Ingrown Hairs
Maybe the biggest summer bummer of them all, ingrown hairs are a common phenomenon. They can be especially prevalent where hair is thick or curly—the bikini area, armpits, and nape of the neck.

What causes ingrowns
If you understand why they happen, it’s easy to prevent them, says Kavita Mariwalla, MD, a dermatologist in West Islip, New York. “As the hair grows out, it can get trapped under the skin’s surface. Instead of growing out straight from the pore, it curls back and creates the dreaded bump.” The more it grows, the more inflammation, redness, and irritation you get.

How to prevent bumps
For prevention, Mariwalla suggests exfoliating, which coaxes hairs out of their pores and keeps dead skin cells from building up and trapping the hairs. Use a pad containing alpha hydroxy and beta hydroxy acids (like Buff & Brighten AHA/BHA Body Exfoliating Pads, $30; shop.sweetspotlabs.com) a few times a week on prone areas, or apply a 50/50 mix of Differin 0.1% Adapalene Gel ($15; target.com) and your regular body moisturizer. Also, never go commando in your athleisure.

How to treat ingrowns
Now, let’s say you’ve already got one. (Womp womp!) No matter what, do not pop it, urges Mona Gohara, MD, associate clinical professor of dermatology at Yale School of Medicine, or you’ll run the risk of slower healing, infection, and scarring. Instead, she recommends applying a warm compress, then using a salicylic or glycolic acid treatment. Let the hair work itself out. If you need to tamp down the redness stat (beach day?), dab on some over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream. Avoid scrubbing or using a loofah in the area, because it can irritate the skin and make things worse. You should be fine in about a week.

Take the "Wah!" Out of Waxing
Waxing can hurt, but these tips will help it go a little more smoothly.

“Make sure the hair is the right length—about a quarter to half an inch,” Mariwalla says. If it’s too short, the wax won’t have enough hair to grip for clean removal from the root. Waiting too long between waxes can result in ingrown hairs and make the experience more uncomfortable.
Don’t wax right before, during, or right after your period, when pain sensors are heightened.
Skip the moisturizer before your appointment, which makes it harder for the wax to adhere to the hair.
Exfoliate two days before you wax—no later, or the skin will be sensitive during your appointment.
“Take ibuprofen 30 to 45 minutes beforehand, and apply a numbing cream 30 minutes prior if you’re really dreading it. During the wax, breathe out when they pull,” Gohara says.
Shave the Right Way
Sorry, but you’re shaving the wrong way. (It’s OK; they even get it wrong in razor commercials!) Shaving against the grain—as in, up your legs or up your bikini line—increases the risk of ingrown hairs and irritation. If you insist on going in that direction, we get it. It does result in a closer shave. Just shave at the end of your shower, Gohara says, when hair is softest. Maybe even do your first pass with the grain and then a second round against it. And use a ton of shaving gel to minimize friction, Gohara adds.

Dermaplane Like a Pro
A dermaplane—i.e., a delicate razor that shaves off dead skin cells and peach fuzz—can leave you with a smooth, glowy face. If you wanna DIY it, Michelle Henry, MD, clinical instructor of dermatology at Weill Cornell Medical College, has the how-to: “Gently stretch the skin with your fingers to create a taut surface. Hold the blade at a 45-degree angle and use light, featherlike strokes in the direction of hair growth.” Never dermaplane over active acne or irritated skin, and don’t use a dull blade (change it after three or four uses).

The Lowdown on Laser Hair Removal
The bikini area and underarms are fan favorites for lasering, because it means less shaving, fewer ingrowns, and minimal upkeep. With armpits, for example, you’ll need several sessions (generally at least six, starting at about $200 a pop), but results can last one to five years. If you’ve heard lasering is not for women of color, that’s false, Gohara says. “Darker skin tones absolutely can laser, but it’s crucial to go to a provider who uses an Nd:YAG laser, which protects melanin in the skin and targets the hair safely.” Call and ask before booking.

Is Nipple Hair Normal?
Don’t stress ’em! “Tweezing is fine for the occasional stray, but if they keep returning and they bother you, laser hair removal is a longer-term fix,” Gohara says.

Hair Removal Helpers
The best merch to help you pluck, shave, or trim.
Tweezerman Mini Slant Tweezer

She’s angled, she’s grippy, and she can be sharpened for free. So plucking good!
Flamingo Disposable Dermaplane

The stainless-steel blade and curved handle make for a peachy defuzzing experience.
Nimbi Disposable Razor

This razor is made from a compostable alternative to plastic and gives you a super-close shave.
Gillette Venus Gentle Trimmer

Designed to work on thick hair (wet or dry), this pubic hair trimmer has little fins that protect the skin.