I is for Ingrown Hairs

You’ve just completed that perfect shave, it’s smooth and nick free, but by day 2 or 3 you’ve started to develop sore and red ingrown hairs that are one of the biggest hassles when shaving.

Here are our 3 steps to preventing and dealing with dreaded ingrown hairs.

Step 1 – Exfoliation

Ingrown hairs or razor bumps occur when the growing hair curls back on itself and burrows into your skin or when it fails to emerge from it. Facial scrubs give your skin the advantage to tackle this, scrubbing away dead skin cells or oils that may block these passage for your hair to grow back from. Simply rub in circular movements over your skin just after you shave and for the few days following.

Elemis Energising Skin Scrub

Baxter of California Facial Scrub

Lab Series Invigorating Face Scrub

Step 2 – Shave Right

Not prepping your skin and using the wrong tools are the main contributors to ingrown hairs appearing. Time the time pre-shave to get your skin ready, not only will this prevent the appearance of ingrown hairs and razor burn, it will ensure that follicle damage doesn’t occur, leading to irregular beard growth. Alongside the use of warm water, here are our 3 top products to the perfect pre-shave warm up.

Lab Series Maximum Comfort Shave Gel

American Crew Lubricating Shave Oil

Gentlemen’s Tonic Pre Shave Oil

Step 3 – Handle With Care

When an ingrown hair does rear it’s ugly head, don’t go for the drastic and try to shave it off. This method causes irritation and your could run the risk of causing permanent scarring. Instead, take a gentle approach, hold your face of a bowl of hot/boiling water, allowing the steam to open your pores. Then grab a pair of sterilized tweezers and gently free the hair. Then apply one of the two below to sooth and calm red or irritated skin.