Shaving can be a time consuming task, especially if you’re someone whose 5 o’clock shadow comes around at noon each day. While many of us religiously stick to our daily shaving routine, we still have to deal with one of the main concerns of shaving. Ingrown hairs form when a hair grows back into your skin as opposed to out, and usually appear post-shave, causing inflammation and itching.
Thankfully, these best ingrown hair treatments are all geared up to revitalize your skin with potent, skin-soothing ingredients. When working these grooming products into your routine, start with a good exfoliation to cleanse the skin and deter ingrown hairs, before you double down with the best toners. Check out the best ingrown hair treatments below.
Anthony for Men Ingrown Hair Treatment
The ultimate post-shave product to all but eliminate ingrown hairs is this treatment product from Anthony. Designed to gently exfoliate and remove dead skin cells, this dermatologist-tested gel can be a real skin saver. It uses glycolic, salicylic, and phytic acids to cleanse, and lavender and willowherb to calm and soothe the skin.
Baxter of California Tonic
Just a little spritz of Baxter of California’s aloe vera tonic is all you need to keep ingrown hairs at bay and achieve a buttery-smooth shave. Infused with essential vitamins and potent organic ingredients, this skin tonic promises a healthier, revitalized skin whether you’re using it during your pre- or post-shave routine. We recommend using hot water for pre-shaving and cold water for post-shaving.
Jack Black Post-Shave Cooling Gel
Aside from being painful, razor burn is one of the leading causes of ingrown hairs. To soothe the skin after shaving, you’ll need a high-quality post-shave product. Jack Black’s cooling gel fits the bill with its use of calming natural ingredients like sage, lavender, rosemary, chamomile, and aloe vera.
L’Occitane Soothing Cade After-Shave Balm
The key to less redness, breakouts, and razor burn? A quality aftershave balm. L’Occitane Soothing Cade of course. This soothing after-shave balm is made with shea butter, birchwood sap, and other natural ingredients to purify your skin, preventing pesky razor burns and nasty breakouts from appearing on your mug.
Clinique Skin Supplies Post-Shave Soother
A treatment a day keeps the ingrown hairs away. This soother’s aloe-rich formula helps relieve razor burn, leaving your freshly shaven skin smooth and cool. For best results, follow it up with a moisturizer.
Bevel Restoring Balm
Avoid ingrown hairs with this helpful aftershave balm that uses tea tree oil and witch hazel to reduce irritation and calm the skin. A little goes a long with this life-changing product. Plus, it’s alcohol-free, meaning you don’t need to worry about it drying your skin out.
Aromatherapy Associates Post-Shave Balm
This lightweight, comforting balm from Aromatherapy Associates is the perfect product for someone looking to splurge. And with the help of soothing essential oils, your skin will thank you for giving it long-term protection from razor burns and ingrown hair.
Tend Skin Toner Solution
Tend Skin delivers a quick and easy solution to bumps, razor burn, redness, irritated skin, and ingrown hair. Use it twice a day to see visible signs of improvement in your skin so you don’t have to reach out for your tweezers during your routine. Wait for about 48 hours (yes, it’s that fast) and voila! Your skin is restored to its former glory.
Evagloss Roll-On After-Shave Formula
Looking for a lazy man’s solution? Quickly roll-on Evagloss’s soothing formula after every shave and you’ll be glowing in no time as it helps eliminate dark spots caused by the dreaded ingrown hair and razor burns. Use the Evagloss Razor Bumps Solution daily so you can say bye-bye to ingrown hair.
GiGi No Bump Solution
Need an affordable product for daily maintenance? We suggest using the Gigi No Bump Solution for your pre- and post-shave routine. The product is formulated with salicylic acid — an exfoliating beta hydroxy acid that seeps deep into the sweat pores to bring you a smoother, ingrown hair-free skin.
Frequently Asked Questions
Let's see if we can help you from getting ingrown hairs to begin with. Avoiding ingrown hairs can be tricky, but there are several techniques you can try.
Before you shave
- Exfoliate regularly to remove dead skin cells that can trap hairs and prevent them from emerging properly. Use a gentle exfoliating scrub two to three times a week, focusing on areas prone to ingrown hairs.
- Soften your skin with warm water and shaving cream or gel to prepare your skin for shaving, making it easier to cut without irritation.
- Opt for a sharp, single-blade razor or a multi-blade razor with lubricating strips. Dull blades can tug and tear at hairs, increasing the chance of ingrown hairs.
While shaving
- Shave in the direction of hair growth. Although it’s tempting to do a closer shave, shaving against the grain irritates the skin and increases the risk of ingrown hairs.
- Use short, gentle strokes when shaving. Avoid long, forceful strokes that can aggravate the skin. Use light pressure and let the razor do the work.
- Rinse the razor frequently, as clogged blades with trapped hair can irritate the skin. Rinse the razor after every stroke to keep it clean.
After shaving
- Rinse with cool water, which helps close pores and soothe the skin after shaving.
- Pat dry gently and avoid rubbing, which can irritate the skin further.
- Use a fragrance-free moisturizer to replenish lost moisture and keep skin hydrated.
Shaving can be a wonderful ritual for most men, but there are things that can deter that for some — ingrown hairs being one. Using these products is a great start to helping reduce or eliminate them all together.
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