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Let’s Get Intimate:
Out with the Ingrowns

By Kiehl’s Education Team

Have you ever experienced the discomfort and irritation of an ingrown hair? We know how you feel – these tricky and uncomfortable bumps can be painful, frustrating, and even dampen the mood (often, when you need it most). Ingrown hairs occur when hair that’s removed (from shaving, waxing, sugaring, or lasering) grows back into the skin instead of out of it. But don’t worry, we’re here to help you discover what causes them, effective ways to prevent them from forming, and recommendations for how to keep the ingrowns out.



WHAT IS AN INGROWN HAIR?

Ingrown hairs can occur anywhere on the body, but are often more prevalent in areas with coarse, curly hair and low skin turnover, such as the beard area, underarms, and bikini line.

Ingrown hairs can manifest in various forms — they often appear as small, red, or skin-colored bumps on the skin's surface. These bumps can be accompanied by itching, pain, and inflammation. In severe cases, ingrown hairs can become infected, leading to further complications and potential scarring.

WHAT CAUSES AN INGROWN HAIR?

Ingrown hairs can occur in various parts of the body, and can cause discomfort, itching, and inflammation. Understanding the causes of ingrown hairs is crucial for effective prevention. Several factors can contribute to their development, including:

HOW TO TREAT INGROWN HAIRS

If you are experiencing ingrown hairs, there are several things you can do to treat them. Some of the most common ingrown hair treatments include:

Apply a Warm Compress

  • Applying a warm compress can help soothe inflammation and promote healing.
  • Soak a clean cloth in warm water and apply it to the affected area for 10–15 minutes several times a day.


Exfoliate Regularly

  •  Exfoliation helps remove dead skin cells and allows the ingrown hair to break through the skin's surface.
  •  Use a gentle scrub, like our Gently Exfoliating Body Scrub, or a soft washcloth to exfoliate the affected area 2–3 times a week. (You can learn more about the benefits of a body scrub here.)
  •   Avoid using harsh scrubs or loofahs, as these can often irritate the skin.

Avoid Shaving or Waxing the Affected Area

  • Shaving or waxing can further irritate ingrown hairs and make them harder to manage.
  • Allow the affected area to heal completely before removing any hair.


Apply Kiehl’s Ingrown Hair and Tone-Correcting Intimate Drops

  • Apply our ingrown hair drops that are formulated with an efficacious Gentle AHA Blend to help minimize the look of ingrowns while evening skin tone in areas like your arms, armpits, chest, beard, neckline, and intimate areas
  • Shake up the formula, then dispense 1-2 drops to your finger, and dab onto clean skin in areas prone to ingrown hairs, bumps, or uneven tone
  • Make sure to only apply the formula externally, do not insert

HOW TO PREVENT INGROWN HAIRS

When it comes to preventing ingrown hairs, there are a variety of tips and key ingredients that we recommend keeping in mind, each with their own unique properties to improve the look and feel of skin.

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