Shaving can have serious consequences. Who hasn't suffered the irritation of ingrown hairs? According to WebMD, ingrown hairs are "hairs that have curled around and grown back into your skin instead of rising up from it." That description is enough to give us the shivers.
Here's how to prevent ingrown hairs and how to treat them when the inevitable happens:
1. Exfoliate. The number one tip for preventing ingrown hairs and razor bumps is exfoliating 1- 2 days before shaving. According to Epilator Girl, one of the main causes of ingrown hairs is a thick layer of dead skin cells that block the surface of the skin, preventing normal hair growth. An exfoliating glove and exfoliating soap are recommended for this purpose.
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2. Salt and honey scrub. Okay, you know you should exfoliate but you don't want to use a store-bought product full of chemicals. Use this home remedy solution from Inhabitat. Simply mix 1/2 sea salt with 1/2 cup honey and while in the shower, gently scrub the homemade scrub into the skin. When you're finished, rinse with non-irritating soap and water.
3. Almond and avocado oatmeal scrub. If you suffer from dry skin, this moisturizing scrub from Inhabitat will do wonders for your skin. Mix 1 mashed avocado with 1/3 cup ground almonds and 3/4- 1 cup ground oatmeal. Using a circular motion, gently massage the scrub into the skin. Rinse with water and then pat the skin dry.
4. Baking soda paste. If you're suffering from an ingrown hair that has not yet broken the surface, Everyday Roots recommends coaxing it out with a baking soda paste. Make a thick paste from baking soda and water. Next, wash your hands with soap and water and apply the paste using firm, circular movements. Rinse with warm water and then apply a small amount of coconut oil to moisturize without plugging the pore.
5. Safely remove the hair. If you see that devilish hair it's time to take it out. But wait! There's a safe way to do it. According to Everyday Roots, you should soak tweezers in rubbing alcohol to disinfect them. Exfoliate the area of skin around the ingrown hair to remove any dead skin cells. After exfoliating, dab the skin with a washcloth run under hot water. This will soften the skin. When you're ready, use the sterilized tweezers to carefully grasp the hair and pull it out. Rinse one more time and then apply a spot of coconut oil to ease any irritation caused by the procedure.
6. Tea tree oil. The antiseptic properties in tea tree oil can help ease the inflammation and pain caused by an ingrown hair. Everyday Roots recommends using a cotton swab to apply the essential oil over the inflamed area twice daily.
7. Aspirin and honey. A Byrdie once told us aspirin contains salicylic acid, which, according to WebMD, increases moisture in the skin and makes it easier to shed dead skin cells. To treat ingrown hairs, crush 3 aspirin tablets and mix their contents with 1 teaspoon honey and 1/2- 1 teaspoon honey to make a paste. Simply apply to the affected area and wait 10 minutes before rinsing with warm water and a wash cloth.
8. Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. It's the simples advice, by Skinacea explains that moisturizing, even when you don't think your skin is dry, will help push out ingrown hairs and soothe irritated skin. You can use an all-natural store bought moisturizer, coconut oil, or any other moisturizer. The important thing is to moisturize every day.
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