How to Get Rid of Ingrown Hairs: A Complete Guide From a Licensed Esthetician
If you’re tired of those itchy, painful little bumps after shaving or waxing, you’re in the right place.
Hi! I’m Raven, a licensed esthetician specializing in waxing for over two years, and today I’m breaking down everything you need to know about ingrown hairs, including:
What causes them
The two main types
How to treat each one
The exact products I use and recommend
How to prevent them from coming back
I’ve also linked my favorite ingrown-hair–safe products below for easy shopping.
What Exactly Is an Ingrown Hair?
Ingrowns form when a hair cannot poke through the surface of the skin, so it curls back inside. That trapped hair causes inflammation, bumps, irritation, and sometimes even breakout-looking spots.
There are two main types you’ll see after shaving or waxing:
1. Surface Ingrown
This sits right at the top layer of your skin—very close to breaking through.
2. Deep (Inflamed) Ingrown
This one looks more like acne, is trapped deeper in the skin, and is usually inflamed, irritated, or painful.
Each one needs a different treatment approach. Let’s break it down.
Type 1: Surface Ingrown Hairs (Easiest to Treat)
Surface ingrowns usually happen because dead skin is blocking the hair.
This doesn’t mean you’re dirty—it just means that area needs more help with exfoliation.
How to Treat Surface Ingrowns
The best way is to use physical exfoliants because they can literally buff away the dead skin on the spot.
Physical exfoliation works because you are only a layer or two away from the hair popping through.
Avoid Tweezers!
Can you tweeze these out? Probably.
Should you? No.
Tweezing can cause:
Hyperpigmentation
Scarring
More ingrowns later
If a hair pops out easily after one gentle scrape, that usually means you need more consistent exfoliation.
Hydration Is Also Key
Think of the hair on your head—dry hair breaks, splits, and snags.
The same applies to body hair:
✨ Hydrated skin = softer hair = less breakage and fewer ingrowns.
Use a hydrating lotion or oil daily to help future hairs poke through without getting trapped.
Type 2: Deep or “Acne-Like” Ingrown Hairs
These require more care because they’re inflamed and sit deeper in the skin.
What to Use
You need a combination of:
✔ Chemical exfoliants (like glycolic acid)
✔ Moisturizer
✔ Calming ingredients like CBD or aloe
✔ Warm compresses
What NOT to Do
Avoid physical exfoliation with these.
Scrubbing irritated skin can cause:
Worse inflammation
Scarring
More hyperpigmentation
Chemical exfoliants gently break down dead skin beneath the surface, letting the hair escape without trauma.
CBD and aloe help:
Reduce redness
Calm irritation
Speed up healing
How to Prevent Ingrown Hairs Long-Term
If you get ingrowns regularly, you need a routine. Prevention is easier than treatment.
Recommended Routine
3× per week or every other day:
Exfoliate (choose physical OR chemical depending on your skin)
Hydrate daily
Use targeted ingrown treatments
This keeps pores clear, softens dead skin, and helps new hairs grow outward instead of curling back.
My Go-To Products for Ingrown Hair Prevention
I rotate products depending on the season—because I live in the desert, and it’s 120° for weeks at a time.
Summer: Stronger, Sweat-Proof Products
In summer, I sweat so much, so I need products that:
Keep bacteria down
Exfoliate deeply
Control irritation caused by friction and moisture
My Holy Grail: Treat Polish (European Wax Center)
People have their opinions about EWC products, but here’s the truth:
They work. Period.
Treat Polish contains:
Glycolic acid
Lactic acid
Salicylic acid
Pumice (a soft physical exfoliant)
It gives both chemical + physical exfoliation, which is perfect for surface ingrowns and keeping skin smooth.
For More Sensitive Skin: Slow Polish
A gentler version of Treat Polish:
Softer scrub texture
No chemical exfoliants
Available in fragrance-free
This is great for sensitive areas or people new to exfoliation.
Ingrown Hair Wipes
I use these constantly in summer, especially:
At the gym
At work
Anytime I’m sweating in my inner thigh area
They contain:
Glycolic acid
Aloe
Tea tree
They keep sweat and bacteria off the skin while lightly exfoliating.
Brightening Versions (My Favorite)
I always choose brightening wipes/polish because they contain vitamin C, which helps fade hyperpigmentation from old ingrowns.
Additional Products I Use
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid Toner
I use this about 3× per week, but less if I’ve already used wipes/polish that day since they also contain glycolic acid.
The Ordinary Discoloration Serum
I apply this only on the outer bikini line, never the labia.
It helps fade dark spots and makes the area look smooth and even.
And honestly?
After staying consistent…
✨ I literally look like Beyoncé in that one iconic photoshoot.
The skin is smooth, clear, cohesive—chef’s kiss.
Professional Options
If you’ve been consistent but your ingrowns:
Get worse
Look cystic
Or last for months
It’s time to bring in a professional.
1. Dermatologist
They can diagnose deeper issues and prevent infections.
2. Laser Hair Removal
Laser reduces ingrowns dramatically because it weakens or kills the hair bulb.
Less hair = fewer ingrowns.
Final Thoughts
I hope this guide helped you finally understand what causes ingrown hairs and how to treat them safely and effectively. Since this is literally my job and something I deal with daily, feel free to leave any questions—you’re not alone, and I’ve truly heard everything.
