Controlling Ingrown Hairs
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Have you ever dealt with the frustration of an ingrown hair reappearing in the exact same spot — weeks after you thought you'd taken care of it? You're not alone, and the good news is there's a simple reason it keeps coming back. The way you're removing it is likely the culprit.
Most guys' first instinct when they spot an ingrown hair is to pull it out completely and be done with it. It makes sense out of sight, out of mind. But here's the problem: completely removing the hair means it has to regrow from below the skin's surface all over again, setting you right back up for another ingrown hair in the same spot. It's a frustrating cycle that's easy to break once you know what to do.
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The Golden Rule: The goal is not to remove the ingrown hair entirely — it's to gently free it from under the skin so it can grow normally above the surface. |
Ingrown hairs occur because the hair is growing beneath the skin's surface rather than straight up through the follicle. When you extract it correctly, you're simply guiding it back to where it belongs—not removing it altogether. This small but important distinction is what breaks the cycle.
Once the hair is freed and sitting above the surface, it can grow normally and be shaved cleanly on your next pass, without curling back under the skin.
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How To Do It Safely
To extract an ingrown hair the right way, you'll need one of the following tools:
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Sterilized Needle Great for precision — ideal for hairs that are close to the surface. |
Sterilized Tweezers Best for gently gripping and lifting the hair once it's freed. |
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Sterilized Safety Pin A reliable backup if you don't have a needle or tweezers handy. |
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Sterilization is non-negotiable. Always clean your tool with rubbing alcohol before use to prevent introducing bacteria into the area. An ingrown hair is already an irritated spot; the last thing you want is an infection on top of it.
Once your tool is sterilized, gently work the tip under the loop of the ingrown hair and lift it just enough to bring it above the skin's surface. Resist the urge to dig, pick, or pull it out entirely. You're simply giving it an escape route, that's all it needs.
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And here's a bonus, this technique works equally well for women. Ingrown hairs are not a men-only problem, so if someone you know is dealing with the same recurring frustration, pass this along. It's one of those tips that earns you instant credibility. 😄
Once you've freed the hair, follow up with a gentle cleanser and a good moisturizer to calm the area.
P.S. Know someone who's been battling the same ingrown hair for weeks? Forward this their way — you might just save their face. 😄
4 comments
Hi Devlyn,
Regrettably, I haven’t had the opportunity to try out the new Gillette razor. Nonetheless, it’s crucial to be aware of your beard’s growth pattern before using any razor. If your beard lacks a distinct growth pattern that you can follow while shaving, it’s more likely to result in ingrown hairs. Understanding this fundamental aspect is paramount in avoiding such issues.
Hi Iain, thank you for the comment! And, I couldn’t agree with you more. Sometimes achieving a very close shave is not the most ideal approach for many.
Hi Craig !!! What’s Your Opinion On The Skinguard Razor ?
Great advice, Craig!
Men really need to be encouraged to take more care when going through their shaving routine.
The advent of the problem-causing 5 blade+ cartridge razors have only exacerbated this issue.
If we really take the time to get to know our beard and how it grows, particularly around the neck area, and shave in harmony with it, so many “problems” could be eradicated!