Not many beauty issues illicit the same type of dread that comes along with ingrown hairs. Not only are they unsightly, but they’re also painful and typically take a long time to heal.
So, is it possible to prevent ingrown hairs altogether or is it time to just accept that they’re inevitable for those that partake in hair removal? And how exactly should you treat ingrown hairs once they’ve reared their ugly head? Thanks to Deidra Green, field training manager of European Wax Center, we have all the answers to these questions. Plus, Green gives us the lowdown on the one serum that can make them disappear—fast.
First, what are ingrown hairs?
Before we talk about the solutions to ingrown hairs, it’s important to understand exactly what they are. “Ingrown hairs are hairs that get caught underneath the surface of the skin as they grow,” says Green. “Instead of growing out of the follicle, they curl under the skin.” This is a common condition caused by tweezing, waxing, or shaving, and it happens more often in people who have coarse or curly hair.
How can you prevent them?
When it comes to preventing bumps, there’s one key strategy that experts agree works best: exfoliation. “Exfoliation helps to get rid of dead layers of skin that would prevent the hair from exiting the follicle,” says Green. By keeping your pores clear of dead skin cells, you allow the hairs to push through the skin easily as they grow post-hair removal. Not only will exfoliating a few times a week help prevent ingrowns, it’ll also help heal ones that are already visible on the skin.
“You’ll also want to use products that rinse clean from the skin and don’t leave a residue that blocks pores,” she says, adding that those that wear tight workout clothing, like yoga pants, are also more prone to ingrowns since this type of clothing compresses the hairs as they’re trying to grow.
Which skin-care ingredients work best for combating ingrown hairs?
As mentioned, exfoliation is the name of the game for combating those pesky bumps. So, you’ll want to look for products that contain ingredients like alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) or beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) that can slough away dead skin cells.
One of our current favorite products on the market—and a 2022 NewBeauty award winner—the EWC Treat™ Ingrown Hair Serum, contains glycolic acid (which is an AHA) and tea tree oil. “These two ingredients combined make a powerful impact on ingrown hairs,” says Green. “Glycolic acid is molecularly small enough to reach into that pore and break down the product build-up and dead skin, while tea tree oil works as an anti-inflammatory to combat redness and swelling.” This product also contains chamomile, which can help calm and soothe skin post-treatment.
As a bonus, this award-winning formula comes in two other options: Brightening and Calming. The EWC Treat Brightening Ingrown Hair Serum is infused with vitamin C to help brighten up dark spots left behind from previous ingrown hairs that have since healed. On the other hand, the EWC Treat Calming Ingrown Hair Serum contains CBD (cannabidiol), which is known to help hydrate and soothe stressed skin.
So, with these additional products offered, those with sensitive skin or discoloration have options more targeted to their needs, too.
How should you use these products?
To use these game-changing picks, simply apply the serum twice a day to clean, dry skin to treat existing breakouts, or use it once a day to help prevent ingrown hairs from developing in the first place. With continued application, users will see a major difference in the appearance of their skin, whether it’s along their underarms, on the bikini line or both.
The bottom line
If you’re someone that regularly partakes in hair removal, it’s a good idea to invest in a product like these. In fact, in a questionnaire conducted by the brand, 93 percent of participants agree that the EWC Treat Ingrown Hair Serum helped treat ingrown hairs, bumps, and breakouts. And in addition to that, 93 percent of reviewers also agree that the product soothes irritation caused by hair removal. So, not only will the serum help reduce these kinds of visible breakouts, it will also give the skin a more comfortable feel.
If you’re looking to give the EWC Treat Ingrown Hair Serum a try for yourself, we have some good news. If you use the code NewBeauty on your online purchase of this serum through June 30, 2022, you’ll receive a discount of 20 percent off. What better time than now to add to cart?
