Sensitive Content: Ingrown Pubic Hairs 101

IN THIS ARTICLE:

CAUSES
PREVENTION
TREATMENT

Let’s get personal: have you ever felt an annoying or irritating spot in your pubic area? Don’t worry, it happens more often than you’d expect. Ingrown pubic hair is a common condition that often results from hair removal, or any activity that can change the direction of hair growth, whether that be from tight-fitting clothes or a lack of exfoliation. It can cause irritation, discomfort, and can even be a little embarrassing. Whether you’re dealing with an ingrown hair from the comfort of your own bathroom, or they’ve zapped your confidence during an intimate tryst, we’re here to help you understand the causes, and the various shaving, waxing, and hygiene techniques that can help prevent them.

WHAT CAUSES THEM?

Ingrown pubic hair is a common skin condition that occurs when hair grows back into the skin.
Understanding the causes of ingrown pubic hair can help to better prepare for prevention and treatment.

Hair Removal:

One of the most common causes of ingrown pubic hair is incorrect hair removal techniques–when hair is removed in the wrong direction (whether due to shaving, waxing, or another method), it can redirect the hair to grow inwards rather than out. This causes an ingrown to form and for the skin to become inflamed.

Dry Skin:

Dry skin can also contribute to ingrown hairs because the skin lacks moisture and becomes rough and flaky, creating a barrier of dead skin that makes it difficult for hair to break through.

Tight Clothing:

Wearing tight clothing, especially underwear and tight-fitting pants, can cause friction in the pubic area, which can lead to ingrown hairs. Tight clothing can also trap moisture, creating an ideal environment for bacteria to grow.

Genetics:

Genetic predisposition can be another factor in the development of ingrown pubic hair. For example, naturally curly or thick hair in the pubic region is more prone to developing into an ingrown hair, as this type of hair has a greater tendency to curl back into the skin.

Skin Conditions:

Certain skin conditions can also contribute to the formation of ingrown pubic hair, such as keratosis pilaris, which causes rough, bumpy skin, and can make it harder for hair to penetrate the skin's surface, leading to ingrown hairs. Hormonal imbalances and medications, such as those associated with polycystic ovary syndrome (also known as PCOS), can also increase the risk of ingrown pubic hair due to increased hair growth.

HOW TO STOP THEM BEFORE THEY START

To prevent ingrown pubic hair, it is essential to adopt healthy grooming practices and maintain proper, consistent hygiene.

Exfoliate Regularly

Regular exfoliation plays a crucial role in preventing ingrown hairs as it helps to slough off dead skin cells, allowing the hair to grow freely without getting trapped beneath the skin. This can be done using a gentle scrub during showers. Whatever your method of choice for exfoliation, remember to be gentle — over-exfoliation, or scrubbing too vigorously, can lead to skin irritation and worsen the condition.

Our Ingrown Hair and Tone-Correcting Intimate Drops are formulated with an efficacious Gentle Acid Blend that helps visibly clear and brighten your most intimate areas. Our formula absorbs quickly into skin to visibly minimize ingrown hairs and help even skin tone, all with minimal irritation.

Choose the Right Deodorant

The right deodorant can help reduce the likelihood of ingrown hairs and smooth possible irritation (whether due to scratching or breaking the skin barrier). We recommend our Over & Under Cream-To-Powder Deodorant, a frictionless, gentle, powder dry deodorant that’s formulated with a Gentle Acid Blend to provide up to 96 hours of odor control and minimize feelings of discomfort due to friction. (And it’s safe for use in intimate areas!)

Stay Clean (and Dry!)

Maintaining a clean, dry pubic area is important. After bathing, be sure to thoroughly dry the area to prevent the accumulation of moisture, which can increase friction and foster bacterial growth.

Change Underwear Regularly

Changing your underwear regularly, especially following physical activity, is a simple yet effective way to keep the area clean and dry. Boxers and boxer briefs are often looser than traditional briefs and can allow for more air flow in the intimate area. To help keep your intimate area dry, our Over & Under Cream-To-Powder Deodorant can also be applied to help you freshen up (and down), and help reduce friction and discomfort thanks to its frictionless, dry finish.

Loose-Fitting Clothing

Your choice of clothing also plays a role in preventing ingrown pubic hair. Tight-fitting garments, particularly underwear, can lead to skin friction and an increased risk of ingrown hairs. Choosing loose-fitting cotton undergarments can help promote air circulation and minimize the potential for friction.

Hair Removal

If you remove hair from your intimate area, there are some ways to help prevent incidence of ingrown hairs, like cleaning and exfoliating the area first, in addition to adjusting how you shave or wax to minimize discomfort.

Shaving too closely can lead to the hair being cut beneath the skin, which may cause it to grow inward. If shaving or waxing is your method of choice, be sure to leave a small amount of hair above the skin to minimize the risk, and always opt for a sharp razor and shaving cream to reduce the potential for irritation and ingrown hairs.

Laser hair removal, alternatively, is a proven method for the longer-term elimination of unwanted pubic hair and can prevent future incidence. Electrolysis is another proven hair removal option that can effectively address ingrown pubic hair and works by electrocuting the follicles.

If you do experience ingrown hairs, avoid the temptation to pick or squeeze them, as this can lead to inflammation and possible infection. If you have more questions regarding your specific hair removal needs, we recommend speaking to a dermatologist or your doctor.

HOW DO I TREAT THEM?

When an ingrown pubic hair develops, there are steps you can take to treat it and prevent more from forming. Applying a warm compress or exfoliating with a washcloth during your shower or bath can help soften the area, as water also helps to soften and prep the skin.

Following your shower, we recommend applying our Ingrown Hair and Tone-Correcting Intimate Drops, which have a chemical exfoliant and a Gentle Acid Blend that will encourage accelerated cell turnover to smooth the skin and help release the ingrown hair. Although it’s tempting, using a tweezer to coax it out can cause infection. If you experience persistent redness or pain, we recommend consulting your doctor or dermatologist.

If you’re interested in learning more about how to treat your ingrown pubic hairs, check out our Pubic Library, a comprehensive learning hub on all things related to intimate care and sexual wellness.

SHOP THIS ARTICLE

Ingrown Hair and Tone-Correcting Intimate Drops

Lightweight yet efficacious ingrown hair drops that are formulated with a Gentle AHA blend to help minimize the look of ingrown hairs and even skin tone, with minimal irritation.

One size only

1.0 fl oz / 30 ml

Old price New price $39.00

Over & Under Cream-To-Powder Deodorant

A cream-to-powder deodorant with a gentle acid blend that's formulated to provide 96-hour odor control and minimize feelings of discomfort due to friction.

One size only

2.5 fl oz / 75 ml

Old price New price $29.00