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- Skin
- Hair Removal
By
and
Updated on July 09, 2024 11:24AM
Reviewed by
Blair Murphy-Rose, MD, FAAD
Reviewed byBlair Murphy-Rose, MD, FAAD
Blair Murphy-Rose, MD is a board-certified dermatologist in New York who specializes in leading-edge facial rejuvenation techniques.She is a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology, the American Society of Dermatologic Surgery and the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery. She is a Castle + Connolly Top Doctor and Super Doctor of NY 2021-2023.
BOARD-CERTIFIED DERMATOLOGIST
Whether you shave, wax, epilate, sugar, or tweeze, odds are you've likely encountered an ingrown hair or two in your lifetime. While very common, these pesky bumps are still a nuisance. Plus, when they're in places such as the pubic area and near your vulva—where the skin is more delicate and sensitive—they can be painful, too.
Thankfully, there are more than a handful of ways to prevent ingrown hairs from forming and treat them once they arise. So, we tapped four experts for their tips and tricks on how to stay bump-free. From developing a trusty skincare routine for your body and swapping out your old razor for a new one to getting consistent waxes and more, keep scrolling for 11 easy ways to get rid of ingrown hairs in your pubic area.
Meet the Experts
- Anna Karp, DO, is a board-certified dermatologist and clinical assistant professor of dermatology at New York University Langone.
- Purvisha Patel, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and founder of the brand Visha Skincare.
- Stacie Harding is an esthetician and senior waxing trainer at European Wax Center.
- Mimi Anderson is the founder ofsay la V. and has over 15 years of experience in the beauty industry.
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Establish a Good Body Care Routine
A solid skincare routine shouldn't be reserved for just your face—your body deserves some love, too. "Proper skin care is vital to preventingingrownhair," confirms European Wax Center's Stacie Harding, adding that ingrown treatment shouldn't just be done before and after a hair removal treatment. If you want clear, smooth skin, it's best to commit to a routine that will keep your body glowing.
Harding says to start with the basics: body wash, body scrub, ingrown hair serum, and body lotion. Look for products with ingredients that slow down hair growth, are non-comedogenic (meaning they won't clog your pores), and have gentle chemical exfoliants.
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Incorporate pH-Balanced Ingredients Into Your Routine
Speaking of a body care routine, say la V.'s Mimi Anderson mentions the importance of ingredients that help with pH balance. She explains that the vulvar skin is delicate and is easily irritated by traditional body washes, menstruation, and even sex, which can result in dryness, rashes, itching, or ingrown hairs from shaving.
Anderson recommendsa daily pH-balanced nourishing wash for bacteria-balancing prebiotics. Once you’re out of the shower, she then suggests going in with a lightweight cream for hydrating ingredients that soothe and prevent bumps, blemishes, and ingrown hairs.
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Exfoliate Before and After Hair Removal
Exfoliating the area before and after shaving, waxing, and epilating is an extra step toward keeping ingrown hairs at bay. Dermatologist, Purvisha Patel, MD, recommends cleansing the area with an exfoliating body wash with a chemical exfoliant like salicylic acid.
Exfoliating can help alleviate ingrown hairs that have already cropped up around the bikini line. Dr. Patel says to "gently scrub the area twice a day with an exfoliating glove or awashcloth with an exfoliating cleanser" to remove the buildup of oils and dead skin cells.
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Use a New Razor Each Time You Shave the Pubic Area
Shaving creates sharp edges on hair when it's cut. This sharp edge makes it easier for the hair to pierce the skin and grow back into it. "Using a fresh razor and shaving cream is important to prevent ingrown hairs because you will cause the least amount of skin irritation this way," says Anna Karp, DO.
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Shave in the Direction of Hair Growth
Both Drs. Karp and Patel agree that one of the most important things you can do to prevent ingrown hairs is to shave in the direction of hair growth, despite what you may have been taught. When working against the grain of hair growth, there may be more chance of it breaking and a potentially increased chance of ingrown emerging.
And be mindful of the ingredients in your shaving creams and gels: "Shave gels and products that have oils in them can actually clog pores and make ingrown hairs worse," says Dr. Patel.
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Try Sugaring
Waxing and sugaring remove thehairfrom the follicle, which is why the results can last so much longer than shaving. Sometimes, though, the hair breaks above or below the skin'ssurface as it's being uprooted. Just like shaving, these sharp, brokenends create a breeding ground for hair growing back into the skin. However, sugaring is far less likely to do so.
"Sugaring is better than waxing for preventing ingrown hairs," says Dr. Karp. Keep that in mind if you're prone to getting those angry red bumps. If you go to a professional that uses sugaring paste, you'll have the best chance of avoiding hair growing back into the skin. You can also try your hand at sugaring at home.
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Keep the Area Clean, Especially Before Hair Removal
Just as you would wash your face 1-2 times a day to prevent acne-causing bacteria, it's important to keep the pubic area clean to prevent ingrown hairs. "It's equally important to rid your skin of any impurities that can be associated withingrownhair," explains Harding."Bacteria is one of the main causes ofingrownhair." Wash the surrounding skin with gentle, fragrance-free soap every day.
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Take a Warm Bath to Soothe Existing Ingrown Hairs
Most ingrown hairs go away on their own. Sitting in warm baths daily or more than once a day can help, as do hot compresses on the area. "If you can see the hair, a warm compress can soften the hair and bring it closer to the surface. If you cannot see the hair, leave the compress on until the hair becomes visible," says Dr. Patel. If you have ingrown hair that is bothering you, apply a steroid cream to reduce inflammation and any itching or a topical antibiotic cream if it's painful and seems infected. If it doesn't clear up in a few days or gets worse, see your doctor, who might prescribe stronger creams, an oral antibiotic, or both.
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Consider Laser Hair Removal
There's always a more permanent option if you're sick of having irritated skin from waxing or shaving. "Laser hair removal is the best option if you don't want to deal with ingrown hairs," says Dr. Karp. This technique damages the hair follicle, preventing the hair from growing back in. If you don't have any hair around your bikini line, you don't have to worry about it growing in the wrong direction.
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Swipe On an Antiperspirant
Yes, really. Your antiperspirant could help keep your bikini area free of irritations and ingrown hairs, according to Dr. Karp. "One trick after shaving is to swipe your stick/soft deodorant over the freshly shaven area.Aluminum products have astringent, antibacterial, and anti-sweating properties so this can help also." Just keep in mind that aluminum is the key here, so if you use a natural deodorant, that won't work. You'll need an actual antiperspirant with aluminum on the ingredients list.
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Opt for Cotton Underwear
Sometimes, the root of the problem is often the one most simple yet overlooked. Hygiene isn't just about what goes on in the shower or the treatments afterward—it can be something as simple as changing your underwear preference. To keep ingrown hairs away, Anderson suggests wearing loose-fitting cotton underwear. "The vulva is covered in sweat glands called apocrine glands, which create thicker sweat than the rest of your body," she explains. Along with Anderson, research has shown that a clean (and breathable) pair of cotton briefs can help avoid ingrown hairs, itching, and irritation.
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Skip the Artificial Fragrances
Another simple tip to keep the ingrowns away is to completely avoid artificial fragrances, says Anderson. While scented products from natural oils, for example, might not be as irritating, she recommends that when in doubt, skip anything that's labeled as artificial. Products like toilet paper, menstrual pads, baby wipes and more often come with these, and it's best to leave them on the shelves if you want to avoid itching and irritation "down there."
FAQ
What causes ingrown pubic hair?
Ingrown hairs in the pubic area are often caused by coarser hairs in this area than on the rest of the body. When coarser-textured hairs begin to grow and push themselves out, they often curl back into the skin and become trapped, leading to an ingrown.
How long do ingrown hairs last "down there"?
Vaginal ingrown hairs usually go away within a few weeks, with most lasting 1 to 2 weeks. But if you are worried about how they feel or look, Anderson suggests consulting a doctor for further assistance.
What's the difference between an ingrown hair and other kinds of bumps?
According to Anderson, indicators include size, color, and texture. Ingrown hairs tend to be single, small (a few millimeters wide), and smooth. They can vary in color, like red, purple, or brown (depending on your skin tone), and potentially have a small hair growing out of the center or just under the skin. She also explains that razor bumps are different, as they usually are light red and come with tiny irritations that can show up after shaving.
How do you get rid of an ingrown hair cyst?
Ingrown cysts should go away on their own, says Anderson. She recommends warm compresses, tea tree oil, or antibiotic cream—which are antiseptics—to help speed up healing. "If it becomes infected or inflamed, or you are worried about how it looks, please consult your doctor," she adds.
Article Sources
Byrdie takes every opportunity to use high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.
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Vaidya T, Hohman MH, Kumar D D. Laser hair removal. In: StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing; 2024.
Chen Y, Bruning E, Rubino J, Eder SE. Role of female intimate hygiene in vulvovaginal health: Global hygiene practices and product usage. Women’s Health. 2017;13(3):58.