Ah, ingrown hair. It’s unsightly, uncomfortable and downright annoying - but never fear, we’re here to help you get rid of them for good! Here’s what you need to know about one of our least favorite sweet spot situations.
What is an ingrown hair?
Your beautiful bod is constantly growing new hair. Normally, hair grows outward from the follicle, eventually breaking through the surface of the skin. But ingrowns happen when the hair takes a detour from its usual path and curls under itself. It continues to grow (as nature mandates), but growsinward, leaving the hair trapped below the skin.
What does ingrown hair look like?
Usually ingrown hair looks a bit like a pimple - a small, solid, round bump in an area you may not normally see breakouts like your underarms, bikini line, and legs. For some, it may just look like dark spots. Either way, you’re likely to also experience itching or discomfort.
Can you get ingrown pubic hair?
Sadly, yes. Pubic hair is hair, after all. But because it tends to be coarser and curlier than the rest of your hair, it’s even more prone to grow in on itself. If you shave, sugar, or wax your bikini area you’re more susceptible to ingrown pubic hair. Hair removal can lead to ingrown hair, hyperpigmentation and irritation.
So, is it better to shave or wax?
No one hair removal method is necessarily better than another to prevent ingrowns. When you shave, you cut the end of the strand at an angle right at the surface of the skin, making it easier for the hair to curl right back inward. And even though waxing completely removes the hair from the follicle, there’s no guarantee it won’t curl in on itself when it starts to grow back.
How can I get rid of ingrown hair?
Ingrown hair removal can be risky business, so we don’t recommend plucking them out yourself - visit your dermatologist or a licensed aesthetician for help. If you’re looking for at-home remedies, there are a few things you can do to get rid of ingrown hair:
1. Try a Spot Treatment
If you need to get rid of an ingrown hair bump ASAP, Bikini & Body Bump Eraser is your best bet. Packed with powerful bump-busting actives like azelaic acid, salicylic acid and niacinamide, it leaves skin smoother, brighter and healthier-looking fast.
2. Exfoliate
Exfoliation is the name of the game when it comes to ingrown hair (pubic or otherwise). Exfoliating acids (like AHA & BHA) are the gentlest and easiest way to loosen the top layer of skin and set trapped hair free. But before you reach for your favorite facial serum and slap it on your bikini line, remember that your sweet spots have different needs than the rest of your skin. Buff & Brighten AHA/BHA Exfoliating Pads are specifically formulated to be safe on all skin, even the most intimate. You can use them up to 3x a week to prevent ingrown hair, dark spots, and razor bumps.
3. Scrub (Gently!)
5. Stop Shaving/Waxing
Even though they’re the bane of our bikini line, ingrown hairs are relatively harmless and easy to prevent. As long as they don’t become infected, they’re really nothing to worry about.
