Atopic dermatitis, a common form of eczema that can cause itchy and painful skin, can make hair removal via shaving, waxing, and other methods problematic.
“Hair removal can irritate the skin because the skin’s surface is damaged in the process,” says Sheila Farhang, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Avant Dermatology & Aesthetics in Tucson, Arizona. “Physical methods like shaving or waxing remove the surface layers of the skin, and chemical methods like using a depilatory can burn the skin.”
Despite these challenges, there are ways people with atopic dermatitis can safely remove unwanted hair without irritating the skin or triggering a flare. These six tips can help.
1. Moisturize and Hydrate Skin
“Moistening and hydrating beard hair prior to shaving, for example, can make the hair more supple and easier to shave,” says Beth Goldstein, MD, of Central Dermatology Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. “Hot water can dry out the skin, so using lukewarm water — either applied to the skin with a towel for a few minutes before shaving or getting the area you want to shave moistened for a few minutes in the shower — can be useful.”
2. Exfoliate When Possible
Gently exfoliate the skin after hydrating to keep it healthy and less prone to damage and irritation from shaving, says Hadley King, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in private practice and clinical instructor of dermatology at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University in New York City.
Exfoliation also reduces your risk for ingrown hairs, she adds. “Either physical exfoliation with a gentle scrub or chemical exfoliation with a toner or cleanser containing glycolic or another alpha hydroxy acid are great, because this decreases the risk that skin will be covering where the hair is growing,” Dr. King says.
3. Grab a Razor
Like waxing and depilatories, shaving with a razor can also irritate already inflamed skin. Still, most dermatologists recommend shaving over the other methods.
“Depilatory creams and waxing are more likely to cause irritation in those with sensitive skin,” explains King. “These creams contain strong chemicals, and you can really hurt your skin, particularly if you leave the product on too long.” For best results, Drs. Goldstein and King recommend that you:
- Make sure to use a razor with a sharp blade and replace blades on a regular basis.
- Keep razor blades as clean and disinfected as possible to avoid infections.
- Shave in one direction — following the direction in which the hair grows rather than “going against the grain” to get the closest shave. This can help you avoid further skin irritation.
- Try an electric razor. Because electric razors don’t give a close shave, they’re less likely to lead to painful ingrown hairs and further irritate atopic dermatitis patches.
4. Use Products Meant for Shaving
While soap and warm water sound like a good idea, stick to products specially formulated for shaving. When you have atopic dermatitis, “it’s important to use a shaving cream or mousse because you’re shaving the outermost layers of skin, too,” King says.
“If you don’t use a good product with emollients and occlusives (moisturizing agents) to protect and moisturize the skin, you can end up with abrasions and irritation, which can only make eczema worse,” she adds.
King recommends shaving products that contain coconut oil, aloe, and hyaluronic acid to soften the hair and provide optimum slip for a comfortable shave. Be sure to check labels to find products that are fragrance-free, soap-free, and suitable for sensitive skin, she says.
5. Moisturize After Shaving
“One of the best things you can do for eczema-prone skin is to keep it moisturized,” says Dr. Farhang. “This starts with your daily shower and a soothing body wash designed with dermatologists for sensitive skin. Long-lasting hydration improves the skin barrier, which can help future flare-ups be less severe.”
You also want to hydrate from the inside, so be sure to drink enough water each day, Farhang adds.
King also suggests using an over-the-counter hydrocortisone topical cream as needed to help soothe shaving irritation as well as an emollient to keep skin soft. However, before using these products, talk to your dermatologist to make sure they’re right for you.
6. If Possible, Try Laser Treatment
While laser hair removal can be pricey, Farhang, Goldstein, and King all agree that, for people with atopic dermatitis, it’s also one of the safest, least invasive options for hair removal. “The most definitive solution is to get rid of the hair either by laser hair removal or electrolysis,” says King.
Laser hair removal is the safest and least-invasive option. Get info about laser hair removal devices on our list of the best ones, according to dermatologists.
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Susan Bard, MD
Medical Reviewer
Susan Bard, MD, is a clinical instructor in the department of dermatology at Weill Cornell Medicine and an adjunct clinical instructor in the department of dermatology at Mount Sinai in New York City. Her professional interests include Mohs micrographic surgery, cosmetic and laser procedures, and immunodermatology.
She is a procedural dermatologist with the American Board of Dermatology and a fellow of the American College of Mohs Surgery.
Dr. Bard has written numerous book chapters and articles for many prominent peer-reviewed journals, and authored the textbook The Laser Treatment of Vascular Lesions.
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Blake Miller is a writer and editor whose work has been featured in various national magazines including House Beautiful, Southern Living, Coastal Living, Family Circle, O: The Oprah Magazine, Fast Company, REDBOOK, SELF, Women's Health, Glamour, Forbes.com, ELLEdecor.com, as well as other major regional publications.
She is the co-editor-in-chief of Home Design & Decor magazine. Her specialties are home design, travel, health and fitness, finance, real estate, bridal, and social trend topics. She is based in Charlotte, North Carolina.
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