Other name: Razor bumps

Ingrown hair is a condition wherein the hair on the body or face curls back or grows sideways into the skin. It is commonly found in men with curly hair, and necks and chins are usually the site of ingrown hairs.

Causes:

• The most common cause is shaving too closely. When you shave too closely the razor can easily cut off the top of the hair follicle, so that instead of the hair growing straight up and out as it should, it grows at an angle causing those unsightly ingrown hairs.
• Another cause of ingrown hairs is when a hair grows out of the follicle as normal, but then bends back down and enter the follicle from the outside in. These kind of ingrown hairs often occur where clothing rubs the skin.
• A coarse curly hair growing into the curved hair follicle is also a cause of ingrown hair.
• Hair removal method like waxing, shaving, plucking, tweezing, and electrolysis can also irritate the hair follicle and cause ingrown hair. Waxing and plucking may seem like great methods of hair removal, as they literally pull the hair out from the root, slowing its growth. But waxing and plucking is traumatic to the skin and hair follicles. When you wax and pluck the hair will often grow back at the angle they were pulled out, and not in the angle of the follicle, causing the hairs to become ingrown.
• Lack of moisture in the skin may also cause ingrown hairs.

Prevention / Remedy:

• Exfoliate your skin before shaving. St. Ives Apricot scrub is the best option to exfoliate your skin. But if you want to make your own body scrub just mix a teaspoon of baking soda with a tablespoon of liquid soap. Use your hands to spread this mixture over your body and then rinse off. You can also make a body scrub by mixing oatmeal with equal parts fresh milk.
• Hot compresses are the best home remedies for ingrown hairs as they soften the skin and help the hair push its way free. Simply soak a washcloth in hot water and place it over the affected area for 10 or 15 minutes, 2 or 3 times daily. After a few days you should be able to see the end of the hair peeking out of the skin.

• Aloe vera gel is a great moisturizer and a soothing medicinal salve that will help treat the inflammation of razor bumps. Just apply a bit of the aloe on the ingrown hair twice a day for at least three days.
• Always apply virgin coconut oil or hazel oil or other herbal oil to the skin after shaving as this will help heal any abrasion that may occur during shaving.
• Shaving more frequently, but with a lighter touch, can help prevent ingrown hairs.
• If you can't avoid waxing and plucking apply hot compress or go to the sauna to open the follicles and use plenty of skin moisturizers and exfoliates in the days and weeks after hair removal.
• If you already have razor bumps, refrain from shaving as you will do more damage to your skin. Give the skin a break from the razor, and washing the affected areas with an antibacterial soap in the meantime, will usually end the inflammation.

Shaving tips:

• Wet hairs are easier to cut than dry hairs. Thoroughly soak your beard for at least 5 minutes before you shave. Better yet, shave after you shower.
• Shaving cream helps your hairs absorb water, which makes them easier to cut. Lather up and leave it on for a little while before you shave.
• Instead of using double or triple blade razors, stick to the single blades, and never use the blade more than twice (dull razor blade will make the problem worse).
• Always shave in the direction your hair grows.