Before picking at your skin, make sure you’re actually dealing with an ingrown hair. “An ingrown hair is when the hair grows back into the skin, or never correctly grows out of the follicle but instead grows sideways into the skin,” explained Dr. Wee.
You may actually see the hair under the very top layer of your epidermis, or your ingrown could just look like a painful red bump. Consult with a dermatologist if you’re not sure. “It is common for warts and other skin conditions to be mistaken for ingrown hairs,” the doctor cautioned.
On the list of annoying beauty issues like sparse eyebrow hairs, enlarged pores, and smudged lipstick, there’s one that clocks in above the rest: ingrown hairs. Sometimes, despite your best efforts, different hair removal methods can lead to these pesky bumps popping up along areas like your bikini line. But, as frustrating as they can be, there are ways to get rid of them and prevent new ones from forming.
We consulted Dr. Sue Ann Wee of Schweiger Dermatology Group in New York City for general tips on how to remove ingrown hairs yourself – and prevent them from coming back.
A surge in ingrown hairs is often a result of shaving and waxing away fuzz. Using a razor is especially problematic. “Shaving results in a very sharp edge to hair, which can then more easily poke back into the skin,” Dr. Wee warned. Your hair’s texture could also be to blame – curls are more prone to this issue, as they coil up and under your hide.
If you’re not seeing symptoms like pain, pus, tingling, or warmth from your ingrown (which are signs of an infection), then you can attempt to dislodge the hair. Scroll through for Dr. Wee’s tips and shop all the products you need for an at-home ingrown hair removal session.
The Best Products to Use Before, During, and After Cutting a Man’s Hair At Home
Even if you’ve now added hair stylist (and manicurist, facialist, and waxing technician) to your staying-home skillset, actually putting scissors to someone else’s head is daunting nevertheless. It’s not just the (semi) permanence of the results, but you’re probably also hoping that the person you love will still, well, love you once you set the trimmers down.
On the plus side, you’ve probably never had so much in common with celebrities like Sarah Hyland and Gwen Stefani, who are also navigating this new normal of at-home haircuts and seeking advice from trusted experts when helping the men they love with the snip.
Once you have your clippers and/or scissors ready, there are some obvious and not-so-obvious things that are good to have on hand throughout the trimming process. The products ahead can prep a man’s hair for cutting, and help ensure both of you are pleased with the results in the end.
