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Stocksy
“What even is the point of waxing if you’re covered in ingrown hairs after the fact?
“Picture this,” says board-certified dermatologist Alicia Zalka: “You’re camping.
Stocksy
You unzip a sleeping bag and get in.
The night gets cold so you zip up the sleeping bag to the top.
Next morning, you take a stab at get out, but the zipper is stuck.
You wiggle around and attempt to get out of the small opening in the sleeping bag.
“Wax in the direction the hair grows,” asserts Obioha.
You’ll have better chances of getting the entire hair out versus breaking it.
We know that the bumps can happen despite the greatest intentions.
This pop in of discernment and tailored experience is what separates an expert tech from the rest.
If you know you’re prone to ingrown hairs, be sure to inform the tech before starting.
Also gently exfoliate a day after the wax if the area isn’t red, inflamed, or irritated.
Obioha recommends moisturizing the area with a barrier cream to reduce irritation and reinforce the skins barrier.
Not only can tight clothes irritate freshly waxed areas, they can also damage hair follicles.
A main contributor to lookout for, especially in body-care products, isfragrance.
With exfoliating and moisturizing ingredients, preventing ingrowns is much easier than tackling the redness and bumps later on.
Try an ingrown hair treatment, likeTend Skin Ingrown Hair Solution.
Try Sugaring
An alternative to waxing is sugaring paste, which also lifts the entire hair.
While you may still see a few bumps form, there are ways to remedy the irritation.
“Warm compresses [on] the area help reduce inflammation,” echoes Obioha.
Most importantly: Fight the urge to pick!
Oils with moisturizing and hydrating properties will soften the skin and encourage the healing process.
Opt for natural, plant-derived oils likejojobathat won’t further inflame the skin or cause any additional breakouts.
For bumps with extra sensitivity or irritation, look for products that can soothe the skin.
“Ingrown hairs can occur after waxing, shaving, and/or using depilatory creams,” says Obioha.
But, luckily, there are lots of ways to prevent and treat the irritation at home.
Updated February 28, 2018.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Acne-like breakouts could be folliculitis.
