Say Goodbye to Ingrown Hairs

Causes, Prevention, and Why Sugaring Is the Better Choice

Ingrown hairs are one of the most common and frustrating side effects of hair removal. They can leave your skin red, bumpy and irritated, turning what should be smooth, silky skin into a source of discomfort. But what actually causes them, and how can you prevent them? Let’s break it down.

What Causes Ingrown Hairs?

Ingrown hairs occur when a hair grows back into the skin instead of up and out. This can happen for a few reasons:

• Dead skin cells clog the follicle, blocking the hair from exiting the surface.

• Hair breaks off unevenly during removal, distorting the hair folicle and making the new tip of the hair sharper and more likely to curl inward.

• Tight clothing or friction can also encourage hair to grow sideways or back into the skin.

People with dry skin, curly or coarse hair are more prone to ingrown hairs, but anyone can experience them, especially after shaving, waxing or other forms of hair removal.

How to Prevent Ingrown Hairs

1. Exfoliate Regularly

Exfoliation removes dead skin cells that can trap hairs under the surface. Use a gentle exfoliating scrub or a natural loofah two to three times a week. This keeps follicles clear and allows hairs to grow out freely.

2. Keep Your Skin Moisturised

Dry skin can harden around the hair follicle, increasing the chance of hair becoming trapped. Applying a lightweight, non-comedogenic moisturiser after exfoliating helps maintain soft, supple skin and reduces irritation. Don't forget to drinkl plenty of water to hydrate skin cells.

3. Choose the Right Hair Removal Method

Some methods, like shaving and traditional waxing, can make ingrown hairs worse. Shaving cuts the hair at an angle, creating sharp edges that can easily pierce back into the skin. Waxing, even when done incorrectly, can snap hairs instead of removing them from the root, another common cause of ingrowns. Waxing can snap 15-30% of the hairs due to the direction hairs are removed in. That's why you'll start to feel hair re-growth after a few days to a week. These arn't new hairs, they are the snapped hair still growing.

Why Sugaring Is Better for Preventing Ingrown Hairs?

Switching to sugaring can make a big difference in your skin health and hair growth pattern.

Here’s why:

• Gentle on the skin: The sugar paste sticks only to dead skin and hair, not live skin cells, making it less irritating than waxing.

• Removes hair in its natural direction of growth: Unlike waxing, which pulls against the grain, sugaring removes hair in the same direction it grows. This reduces breakage and minimises the risk of ingrown hairs.

• Natural exfoliation: The sugar paste itself naturally exfoliates the skin during treatment, helping to prevent buildup around follicles.

• Less breakage, smoother regrowth: Because hairs are removed completely from the root rather than snapping, regrowth tends to be finer, softer, and less likely to curl back under the skin. If sugared regularly - hair is permanently reduced!

The Bottom Line

Preventing ingrown hairs is all about maintaining healthy skin and using the right hair removal technique. Regular exfoliation, consistent moisturising, and switching to a sugaring treatment can help you achieve long-lasting smoothness without the irritation or bumps.

If you’ve struggled with ingrown hairs in the past, making this simple switch could be the key to finally saying goodbye to them, for good!