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Ingrown hairs are very common especially after shaving or waxing. This happens as a result of hair that begins to grow back into the hair follicle and underneath the skin. Although they aren't life-threatening, some ingrown hairs can produce minor infection and irritation.

Ingrown hair is very common, especially in people with curly hair. For this reason, preparing the skin and hair before removing it is very important. Prevention is a simple step that can help avoid future problems.

Find out How to Avoid Ingrown Hairs

The easiest way to prevent ingrown hairs is to follow the suggestions outlined below.

Before you shave, prepare your skin with a shaving product that will make skin moist. This will help soften the skin and the hairs will be easier to shave and remove.

Always make sure that you are using a sharp blade. Dull blades make the ends of the hair jagged. This makes it easier for them to burrow under the skin.

Instead of using hand-held razors, use an electrical razor. Hand held razors often leave sharp edges on the hair, which only help to increase the risks of developing ingrown hairs.

If you wax then make sure that the hair shaft is at least one quarter of an inch long or it may break and increase your chances of getting ingrown hairs.

Eliminating Ingrown Hairs

The idea behind ingrown hair removal is that you release the hair that is trapped underneath the skin. This should help keep you free from infection or irritation. Ingrown hair removal is a simple technique that can easily be incorporated as part of your daily skin care routine.

A couple of days after removing hair you should gently exfoliate the treated area. By exfoliation you can help keep the skin from covering the hair follicles. This can easily be done in the shower by using a body scrub.

Besides using a scrub (or mechanical exfoliant) you can also use a chemical exfoliant. This type of product is especially ideal for your face as is less likely to break the skin. Some popular exfoliants are salicylic acid and alpha-hydroxy acids (like glycolic, lactic, malic and citric acid)

These ingredients can be found in several different products. They are most commonly used to treat acne, and can be used on any type of skin as long as it is not too sensitive. Apply the product to the areas that are usually affected by ingrown hairs (chin and sides of the face) before the hair begins growing back.