Ingrown Hairs After Waxing Are Annoying but Preventable

I think I'm getting scammed by Brazilian waxes. I'm a former shaver, but I didn't truly understand the pain of ingrown hairs until I started getting regular waxes a few years ago. Razor burn is what convinced me to try waxing in the first place. I went into my first appointment expecting to come out hairless, smooth, and carefree. Well, I was for a little while, but then I started getting ingrown hairs after every wax. In reality, my ingrown hairs stressed me more than the inevitable pain from the wax.

So, what causes ingrown hairs? How do you quickly get rid of ingrown hairs? Can you even prevent ingrown hairs in the first place? I turned to experts Noemi Grupenmager and Dr. Melanie Palm to get the facts.

Meet the expert

• Noemi Grupenmager is the founder of Uni K Wax.
• Dr. Melanie Palm is a board-certified dermatologist based in San Diego.

Keep scrolling for why you may get ingrown hairs after waxing — and what to do about it.

Causes of Ingrown Hairs After Waxing

According to Grupenmager, wax made with irritating chemicals, hard wax that's too hot, and poor waxing techniques are all common causes of pesky ingrown hairs.

"A bad technique is when the waxer cuts the hair at skin level instead of removing it from the root, which might make a person more likely to have ingrown hairs," explained Grupenmager.

Oh, and wearing tight clothing on the reg.

How to Prevent Ingrown Hairs

Exfoliating regularly between wax appointments will help to prevent ingrown hairs.

"Using a mild exfoliant between appointments is the most effective way to prevent ingrowns from occurring," Dr. Palm advised. "Using a topical wash, gel, lotion, or solution containing glycolic, lactic, or salicylic acid is best."

CeraVe SA Body Wash for Rough and Bumpy Skin, Pixi by Petra Glycolic Body Wash, and Neutrogena Body Clear Acne Body Wash are three great drugstore options.

The 9 Best Gentle Exfoliants for Everyday Use

So what if you still get ingrown hairs even if you do prioritize exfoliation? Genetics might be to blame.

"You may be perfectly following the exfoliating steps of your wax studio, but ingrown hairs are much more likely with coarse, curly hair," explained Dr. Palm. "Straight hair is much less likely to take a deep dive back into the skin, but those with curlier textured hair are at greater risk of bumps along the bikini line."

How to Treat Ingrown Hairs After Waxing

So, how can I do some quick damage control to get rid of the ingrown hair that's rubbing against the seam of my underwear right now? The reality is that the only way to get rid of ingrown hair is to remove the hair permanently via laser hair removal. However, Dr. Palm suggested that you can reduce the inflammation by using a topical chemical exfoliator like salicylic acid, which can help speed up the skin's renewal cycle and "unhook the ingrown hair." However, remember that the redness and swelling may take two to three days to subside.

Ingrown Hairs After Waxing Are Annoying but Preventable

When to See a Doctor

Although most cases of ingrown hairs can be handled at home, there are instances where you should see a medical professional.

"More inflamed cases may require an injection of dilute steroid by your physician or a short course of an oral antibiotic in the tetracycline family to reduce inflammation, not to fight an infection," noted Dr. Palm.

Also, sometimes what you think is an ingrown hair is actually a more serious issue like folliculitis, staph infections, or even a recurrent cyst. According to Dr. Palm, folliculitis or a staph infection can be treated with benzoyl peroxide, but more serious cases need a prescribed antibiotic or culture at a doctor's office. Cysts, she said, need topical and oral prescription treatment.