Ingrown hairs? Advice!?

There are several products that claim to help treat ingrown hairs, but the reality is that salicylic acid is the one active substance that can visibly improve razor bumps. It is a dermatological-grade ingredient that exfoliates, moisturizes, clears pores and can help prevent infection. Use a post-shave product with salicylic acid so it remains on your skin the whole day (see below).

Use only a non-acnegenic shaving cream specially formulated for sensitive skin, with lots of lubricating agents (foam-based shaving creams can dry and irritate your skin).

Do not use any product that has alcohol, it will seriously worsen ingrown hairs by drying the skin and closing the pores.

Exfoliating (removing the upper layers of dead skin) is indispensable to manage ingrown hairs. Daily use of a gentle face scrub with glycolic and salicylic acid is particularly effective.

Adjust Your Shaving Technique

Shaving too closely is one of the triggers for razor bumps. Hair stubs cut too closely will get trapped inside the hair follicle and dig inward or sideways. Don't worry, the disappearance of unsightly ingrown hairs will more than make up for the "five-o'clock shadow" appearance.

To avoid shaving too close, don't pull the skin when you shave; don't put too much pressure on the blades; shave with the grain and use a single-blade razor.

You will need to maintain this approach over time, as one extra-close shave will be enough to cause a recurrence of ingrown hairs that will take weeks to heal.

Treat Already-Ingrown Hairs

Carefully lift the ingrown end out with tweezers, but don't pluck the hair out; this will only make the hair regrow deeper.

Using products that contain azulene, allantoin and witch hazel can help reduce the redness and swelling.

Exfoliate.

Always shave with the grain. It takes longer to get a close shave with the grain and a good razor but it's much less likely to create ingrown hairs and razor bumps. Use after shave

Try exfoliating the skin and when you shave be more gentle. They're caused by the hair being pushed back and bent into the pore it came from and becoming trapped. Pull the skin taught and always moisturise after.

Pluck it then rub alcohol on it afterwards. It's going to hurt but it already hurts as it is.