How to Prevent Ingrown Hair: How Do You Take Care of It?

Have you ever noticed those small, painful bumps after shaving and wondered how to stop them before they appear? Ingrown hairs are a common grooming problem, but the good news is that the right habits and products can often help prevent them.

Knowing how to prevent ingrown hair can help you keep your skin smoother and healthier while reducing irritation caused by trapped hairs, blocked pores, and poor shaving methods. A simple grooming routine can go a long way, especially if you shave often or have sensitive skin.

But don’t worry my fellow man. We are here to pass on our knowledge so that one more guy can learn to properly get rid of this irritating problem and never have to deal with it again.

What Exactly is Ingrown Hair? How Do You Take Care of It?

It usually starts when one random beard hair decides to act up. Instead of growing out like the rest, it curls back into the skin and keeps growing there. Kind of weird, right? That tiny change is what leads to the bump—and all the trouble that comes with it. As soon as this happens, the area will get bumpy and reddish. Distinguishing it from a pimple is a black point that corresponds to that hair strand.

Getting an ingrown hair is extremely common according to the Mayo Clinic. To put it in numbers, the USA witnesses 3 million cases of it on a yearly basis.

The good thing is they’re not generally painful. But they do get uncomfortable, irritating and itchy which is not far better. But in some cases, they can get infected, leaving a painful bump of pus.

But it usually never gets so bad that it would need medical attention. They disappear on their own. A typical case would only require some creams to make it go away. You’ll usually never need antibiotics unless there’s a persisting case of postulates or abscesses.

Make sure you have the self-control to keep your hands away from the spot in question. Scratching the itch will only make things worse with infections and scarring. Just let it rest on its own and avoid shaving again until that area is back to normal.

Why Are Bearded Men Plagued With Ingrown Hair?

The answer to that is pretty simple and quite obvious? Bearded men only get ingrown hair once they shave.

If you shave areas like your underarms, pubic region, or legs, you’ll want to be extra careful. Those spots can be more sensitive, and ingrown hairs tend to show up there more often.

Some people also deal with this more than others. Men with naturally curly hair—especially Black and Latino men—often have a higher chance of getting ingrown hairs. Curly strands can bend back into the skin more easily, which is where the problem starts. In fact, it seems that Black men between the ages of 14 and 25 deal with this issue more than most groups.

See also: Do Electric Shavers Cause Ingrown Hair? Exploring the Truth

How Can I Avoid It?

Some unlucky guys deal with ingrown hairs so often that they start thinking about laser hair removal out of pure frustration. It can feel like the only way out.

But if this is one of your first run-ins with the problem, it might be worth trying simpler options first. There are cheaper, more natural ways to handle it, and they often do the job just fine.

Clean that Beard Thoroughly

One factor that can lead to an ingrown hair is the accumulation of dead skin cells that can clog the follicle and make it so that the hair grows in an unnatural direction. So the advice here is that you should try keeping your chin area as clean as possible at all times, especially right before shaving.

No Need to Get Too Close

Another factor is, of course, shaving too closely, especially if you’re a guy with curly hair. If the hair is shaved so short that the pointy cut tip of the hair can make contact with the skin, then we might get a problem.

But if a close shave is what you prefer, then there’s no stopping you. But you should still take things easy if you want to avoid the problem.

Oil for Beard

Beard oils can be such a delightful help in the fight against ingrown hair. They help by maintaining moisture and also trying to prevent the itch. Beard oils that contain Vitamin E may also help support healthier skin by improving moisture levels and keeping the skin more flexible. These benefits can make ingrown hairs feel less uncomfortable because they help fight dryness and may reduce clogged pores.

If you want to try one, we suggest choosing a beard oil made with natural ingredients. It’s a good idea to avoid products that contain unnecessary hormones, GMOs, or harsh toxins.