Ingrown hairs: How do you prevent them?

I constantly get ingrown hairs. They're so painful. What can I do to prevent them?

- No name / No state given

Mayo Clinic dermatologist Lawrence Gibson, M.D., and colleagues answer select questions from readers.

Answer

Ingrown hairs are hairs that grow out slightly and then curl back and penetrate the skin. This results in redness, tenderness and swelling at the site of penetration. Ingrown hairs are a fairly common problem. A common cause of ingrown hairs is chronic irritation to the hair shaft and follicle opening. This irritation may be due to frequent and close shaving or friction from tight clothing or belts. People with curly hair tend to have more ingrown hairs than do those with straight hair.

To prevent ingrown hairs, reduce friction and irritation in the affected areas. Shaving tips that may help prevent ingrown hairs include:

Shave hair a little longer than you normally do
Avoid repeated razor strokes over the same area
Shave in the direction of hair growth
Use a moisturizer to soften the hair and make shaving easier

Many ingrown hairs will eventually grow out by themselves and don't need treatment. See a dermatologist if you get ingrown hairs all the time or if the pain of an ingrown hair persists for more than a few days. When needed, treatment may include: