During a waxing treatment, one’s hair gets pulled with great force from the roots. New hair starts growing soon in its place but there’s an extreme possibility of developing a condition called terrible ingrown hairs after waxing that looks very ugly and causes prickly sensations. This can happen because of incorrect waxing technique, lack of moisturisation and aftercare, or poor or no exfoliation in the grooming routine.
But how can one treat and prevent ingrown hair after waxing? In this article, we’ve explained all the insights related to terrible ingrown hairs after waxing that also includes brazilian terrible ingrown hairs after waxing.
Table of Contents:- Part 1: Does Waxing Cause Ingrown Hairs?
- Part 2: How to Prevent Ingrown Hairs After Waxing?
- Part 3: How Can I Treat Terrible Ingrown Hairs After Waxing?
- Part 4: What Are the Long-term Remedies to Eliminate Ingrown Hair?
Does Waxing Cause Ingrown Hairs?
Yes there it is likely for one to develop ingrown hair after waxing, which means that the newly growing hair fail to pierce through the skin and keeps growing under the skin. A lot of people refer to the term “terrible ingrown hair”, which means that most of the newly growing hair turn ingrown that can look like black blisters and/or black bumps.
How Do We Get Ingrown Hair After Waxing?
- Waxing removes hair from their roots and new hair starts growing from there.
- It takes some time for the hair to reach the top layer of the skin.
- The hair that is supposed to pierce through the skin to keep growing above the roots fail to do so and roll back underneath the skin’s top surface.
- When the hair rolls back and keeps growing underneath the skin, we call it an ingrown hair.
What Factors Increase Chances of Ingrown Hair After Waxing?
1. Improper Waxing Technique
If one fails to follow the right technique of waxing, they can trigger ingrown hair. Below is the right way to wax while minimising any chances of ingrown hair.
- First, make sure that the hair length is between 0.5 inches to 1 inch.
- Then prepare the wax and do not forget to keep the correct consistency and temperature.
- Now apply the wax on the treatment area evenly in a thick layer with a spatula and let it cool and harden.
- Once the wax hardens, hold the skin taut on one end and pull the hardened wax quickly with force in one go in the opposite direction of hair growth.
2. Lacking Exfoliation In The Grooming Routine
After completing the waxing session, one should wash their treated area and include proper exfoliation in their grooming routine. While one should not exfoliate immediately after waxing, they should exfoliate regularly from the next day onwards.
Proper and regular exfoliation makes sure that the top layer of the skin is free from dead cells buildup and keeps a way open for the newly growing hair to pierce through the skin.
Some interesting exfoliant options are acid-based exfoliants like hydrochloric acid-based exfoliant, or body scrub, or home-made exfoliants using herbs and natural items.
3. Pores Getting Clogged
If the skin pores stay clogged, newly growing hair will find it difficult and almost impossible to make their way through the skin and grow above the skin’s surface. Skin pores can clog because of dust, dirt, pollution, heavy makeup, or oil.
To open the clogged skin pores one should keep washing their treated area regularly at least 2 to 3 times every day. If one applies makeup, it’s important to wash it off properly. Sweating allows skin pores to open up and widen but once the sweat condenses on the skin, it can clog the pores so it’s important to wash the area after physical activities.
How to Prevent Ingrown Hairs After Waxing?
1. Include Exfoliation In The Grooming Routine
Exfoliants are very effective in opening the clogged pores and removing dead skin cells on the skin’s top layer.
In the case of an ingrown hair, there is a thin layer of skin that traps the hair and prevents it from growing above the skin. Exfoliants remove this thin layer of skin and free any hair that was previously trapped under it.
In England, there are Glycolic, Lactic, Mandelic, or Salicylic acid exfoliants available in the market. Also, scrubs exfoliate the skin nicely too. But one can also make DIY exfoliants using natural items and herbs at their home.
2. Always Stay Hydrated & Moisturised
One’s skin hardens when it dehydrates. By drinking plenty of water and applying moisturisers regularly, one keeps their skin hydrated. Hydrated skin is softer than dehydrated skin and it is easy for newly growing hair to pierce through the skin and continue to grow above the skin’s surface.
3. Dermaplaning
When dermaplaning, the person scrapes off the top layer of their skin that is full of dead cells, pollutants, and foreign particles. This reveals a fresh and soft skin layer underneath it and helps newly growing hair to get above the skin’s top layer without getting trapped under it.
How Can I Treat Terrible Ingrown Hairs After Waxing?
1. Scrub The Skin
There are scrubs available in the market that help in treating ingrown hair. One has to rub these scrubs on their affected area with gentle hands. The instructions are usually printed on the package.
When we rub a scrub on the ingrown hair, the thin layer of the skin membrane that is trapping the ingrown hair will break down and ingrown hair will free. The skin membrane will later shed without causing any pain.
2. Exfoliate
One should use an acid-based exfoliant that will treat ingrown hair. These acid-based exfoliants come in a toner or a serum form. One has to take some serum in their palms and rub it on their affected area. Make sure that it does not come in contact with the sensitive parts. The skin will absorb the serum in a few minutes and the acid will gradually peel off the top layer of the skin membrane and free any trapped ingrown hair.
The usage terms of these acid-based exfoliants are printed on the package. But remember that we need to exfoliate not more than 2 to 3 times per week if we’re using an acid-based exfoliant.
3. Moisturise
In order to keep the skin moisturised properly, we can either drink plenty of water, exercise, or apply moisturisers. The easiest way is to moisturise but we need to maintain a proper frequency of moisturisation. For example, moisturise once immediately after waxing, then moisturise at least twice a day; once in the morning and once before bed. This way our skin will soften and ingrown hair can pierce through the skin membrane.
4. Use a Sharp Razor Or Dermaplane
One can either use a dermaplaning tool or take their razors with a sharp blade. Shave the area that is affected by ingrown hair or dermaplane it. This will scrape off the top layer of the skin membrane and free all the ingrown hair immediately. Using sharp blades make sure that the cut is clean and does not cause any skin irritation, cuts, or nicks.
What Are the Long-term Remedies to Eliminate Ingrown Hair?
1. Switch to Professional Hair Removal Methods
Waxing is painful and it can cause ingrown hair easily. Also, one will need to wax once every fortnight or 10 days. Instead, switch to professional hair removal methods like laser treatments. One can get a laser treatment at a professional salon by a professional staff member that will eliminate any possibility of developing ingrown hair or skin issues.
Also, once one completes their laser treatment, they will get several months of hair-free skin, which means no more wasting time in the treatment.
Cost-effective Alternative- IPL Treatments
One problem with a laser treatment is that it is very expensive; hence not a cup of tea for everyone. Those who do not have a budget for a professional laser treatment but still wish for a professional treatment should consider Ulike IPL treatments.
One will find IPL treatments exactly the same as laser treatments but this is very affordable. One has to do a series of sessions using a Ulike IPL device. These devices are portable and a one-time investment that treats unwanted hair and eliminates any chances of ingrown hair. It will take 7 to 10 sessions spread over 2 to 3 months for one to complete the Ulike IPL treatment and after that they can get up to 24 months of hair-free skin and no ingrown hair.
2. Good Grooming Routine
A good grooming routine includes regular exfoliation and moisturisation. Once one gets their waxing done, they should moisturise first. Then keep moisturising every night and morning. Similarly, one should exfoliate once every 3 to 4 days if they are using an acid-based exfoliant. For scrubs, one can use them twice or thrice a week.
3. Prefer Healthy Waxing Habits
One should get the waxing treatment at a professional salon because they know how to do the waxing properly. They have skilled practitioners with skilled handwork. Their treatment should most probably be free from ingrown hair. Apart from that, one should avoid shaving their skin after waxing otherwise it can create a problem of terrible ingrown hair.
Conclusion
One can avoid terrible ingrown hair after waxing with the help of so many remedies. But if one is already suffering from this problem, there are a lot of ways to cure it such as dermaplaning, exfoliation, scrubbing, or moisturising. If someone is interested in long-term remedies to prevent ingrown hair then a laser treatment is a very famous option but since it is very expensive, a lot of people; both men and women have started using Ulike IPL that is affordable and gives the same result as laser treatments.
