Prevention

To help prevent ingrown hairs, avoid shaving, tweezing and waxing. If that's not an option, use these tips to make ingrown hairs less likely:

• Wash your skin with warm water and a mild facial cleanser before shaving.
• Apply lubricating shaving cream or gel a few minutes before shaving to soften the hair. Or apply a warm compress.
• Use a sharp razor every time you shave. Further study is needed to determine whether a single- or multiple-blade razor is best for preventing ingrown hair. See what works best for you.
• Avoid close shaves.
• Don't pull your skin taut while shaving.
• Shave in the direction of hair growth.
• Rinse the blade after each stroke.
• Rinse your skin and apply lotion after you shave.

The following hair removal methods also may help prevent ingrown hairs:

• Electric razor or clipper. With the razor, avoid the closest shave setting and hold the razor or clipper slightly away from your skin.
• Chemical hair remover. The chemicals in hair-removing products (depilatories) may irritate your skin, so test on a small area first.
• A cream to decrease hair growth. A product called eflornithine (Vaniqa) is a prescription cream that decreases hair regrowth when combined with another hair removal method, such as laser therapy. Further study is needed to prove the usefulness of this method.