The Best Ways to Prevent Ingrown Hairs After Waxing

If you’ve peeped the oddly satisfying hashtag on Instagram, chances are you’ve seen the obsession with extraction. From pimples to ingrown hairs, there’s something extra satisfying about removing gunk and alleviating inflammation from our skin.

In the waxing world, ingrown hairs are almost considered a pest. They sneak their way in and it’s a struggle to eradicate them. But with a few tips from your esthetician, you can eliminate ingrowns and enjoy a Brazilian wax or bikini wax without the worry of their incessant return. 

What are ingrown hairs?

If you’ve ever looked down at a small black dot on your skin or tried to poke a pimple-esque bump to no avail, you may have been dealing with ingrown hairs. Ingrown hairs are common and occur when the hair itself grows back into the skin. Dry skin and dead skin cells are the perfect breeding ground for ingrown hairs. 

What causes ingrown hairs to form?

Ingrown hairs are caused by a few things, but when a hair grows back into the skin, it gets stuck and begins to inflame the area, causing a red-ish area, solid bumps, or small, pus-filled blisters.  

Who is more likely to form ingrown hairs?

Although everyone and all skin types are susceptible to ingrown hairs, there are a few types that are a little more at risk than others. If your hair is coarse and curly, or you shave, tweeze, or wax, you’re likely to develop ingrown hairs. Especially if you shave. Curly hair is more likely to reenter your skin as it bends back.

Never pluck or tweeze existing ingrowns

If you’re plagued with ingrowns, it might be tempting to pluck or tweeze them from your skin. Without professional extraction, you’re ingrowns can become inflamed and infected in a very short period of time. Refrain from plucking or tweezing your existing ingrowns and try to exfoliate the area instead. The last thing you want is to make matters worse for your skin, especially if it’s struggling with inflammation.

The best ways to prevent ingrown hairs 

If you’re stressing about how to keep ingrown hairs at bay, don’t sweat it. There’s a plethora of ways to go about preventing them and determining which method works best for you makes you that much more likely to keep up with it.

Leave waxing to a licensed esthetician

In 2020, we learned the true nature and importance of DIY. And while the do-it-yourself era is important for things like sourdough, changing your oil, and haircuts, there are some things that should be left to the professionals. Waxing is one of those very things. Only a licensed esthetician can, from beginning to end, take care of your body hair removal without compromising the integrity of your skin in the process.

Exfoliate both before and after a wax

Before you get waxed, get yourself a pre-appointment routine going. About 24 hours before your wax, exfoliation can play a huge part in the process. By removing dead skin and the debris that comes along with it, ingrown hairs become knocked loose, and therefore less likely to re-enter the skin.

Avoid activities that further irritate your skin

After your wax session, you’ll want to resume life as usual. And while we also want that for you, there are a few things to stay away from for those first 48 hours in order to keep your skin happy and healthy. You will want to refrain from any activities that exacerbate the inflammation of your skin. 

Skipping the gym, wearing loose-fitting clothing, and refraining from anything that could expose your skin to a sweaty, sticky situation are best.

Follow aftercare instructions properly

Your esthetician is a master of all things skincare. When they provide you with aftercare instructions post-wax, make sure you follow those instructions thoroughly. The way you take care of your skin after a wax appointment directly correlates to how your skin will or will not react. Ingrown hair serum is a great resource to use to protect your skin by keeping it hydrated, and a good moisturizer will help to calm any irritation.

Say goodbye to ingrowns after waxing at The Wax Room

At The Wax Room, we’re forever transforming misconceptions about the wax world. Making waxing an accessible, easy experience is our love language, and we can’t wait to share it with you!