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Whether you are an expert esthetician or a newbie in the DIY hair removal scene, you won't experience greater displeasure than seeing ingrown hair. These are nothing but hairs that start growing inward. This reverse growth forces them to pierce through your skin and start burrowing into it. What follows is pain, soreness, and in extreme cases, inflammation, puss, and infections. The best way forward is to nip this matter in the bud and treat this ingrown hair. However, the market for ingrown hair treatments is a wide tapestry of limitless options and infinite choices.
From pre-shave and aftershave solutions to exfoliating brushes and tweezers, you'll find these treatments in every shape and form. So, to help you make a better sense of things, join us as we take you through our favorite ingrown hair treatments in 2024 and teach you all about them!
Our Picks of the Hottest Ingrown Hair Treatments
Serious Serum Ingrown Hair Treatment — Best Overall
Fight ingrown hairs and other skin blemishes with the Serious Serum Ingrown Hair Treatment. The 1% salicylic acid is the true MVP of this ingrown hair treatment, as it is the best exfoliator to remove hair while also fighting and preventing acne. The gentle formulation will clean up dead skin cells and wipe away bacteria. If you have pesky blemishes or ingrown hairs on hard-to-reach or sensitive areas, this treatment will work on those regions.
The AHA BHA acid serum infused in this formula, also known as glycolic acid, works best to remove all your stubborn blackheads! All these ingredients might seem harsh altogether, but don’t worry, the serum has many moisturizing elements as well, including aloe vera, green tea, chamomile, and willow bark. The benefits that come with using this ingrown hair treatment make it the best overall on the list.
Pros
- Great exfoliator
- Moisturizes skin
- Glycolic acid removes blackheads
Cons
- Could cause breakouts
SweetSpot Labs Ingrown Hair Treatment — Great for Sensitive Skin
Experience the ultimate solution for ingrown hair, razor bumps, strawberry legs, and dark spots with the SweetSpot Labs Ingrown Hair Treatment. Bid farewell to stinging, burning, and drying sensations with these alcohol-free body exfoliator pads. They are specifically designed to be hypoallergenic, pH-balanced, and clinically proven non-irritating on intimate skin.
Powered by a new enhanced formula, these pads contain 6.7% AHAs, 1% salicylic acid, and 1% niacinamide for effective multi-level skin exfoliation and renewal without the need for harsh scrubbing. Witch hazel and aloe vera further contribute to soothing and reinforcing the skin's moisture barrier. Make it a part of your daily ritual to achieve smooth and bump-free skin. By swiping an exfoliating pad onto dry skin before shaving or after waxing, you can prevent ingrown hairs, razor burn, and brighten dark spots over time. These pads are safe for sensitive areas such as the bikini area, inner thighs, underarms, legs, and face.
Pros
- Ouch-free treatment
- Effective formula
- Soothes and reinforces the skin
Cons
- May be weak on dark spots
Tend Skin Ingrown Hair Treatment — Runner Up
This Ingrown Hair Treatment from Tend Skin comes in an extremely portable and travel-friendly bottle. You can buy it in 4 and 8 fluid ounce options, depending on your need. You simply need to apply this solution after shaving or a waxing session to prevent redness, razor bumps, or ingrown hairs.
If you'd like to remove the ingrown hairs or razor bumps that already exist on your skin, consider applying this option at night before you go to bed. The fact this pick not only resolves your existing ingrown hairs but also prevents them altogether sets it apart from the others on our list.
Pros
- Comes in a very travel-friendly bottle
- Super simple to use
- Controls and prevents ingrown hair growth
Cons
- The alcohol-like scent is a bit too strong
Evagloss Ingrown Hair Treatment — Best for Sensitive Skin
Similar to the previous pick, this ingrown hair treatment comes as a liquid solution. However, instead of directly applying it, there's a roller you can use for that purpose. Evagloss recommends rolling this option onto your skin after hair removal to prevent ingrown hairs, dark spots, and razor burns. Customers particularly appreciate the cooling and moisturizing effect it has on sensitive skin and how it prevents itchiness.
Pros
- Reverses the dark pigmentation from old ingrown hairs
- Prevents new ingrown hairs from developing on the skin
- Keeps the skin cool and smoothes out razor burns
- The roller design makes it super easy to use
Cons
- Doesn't eliminate existing ingrown hairs
Dylonic Ingrown Hair Treatment — Best for Exfoliation
Dylonic does things a bit differently by offering an ingrown hair treatment as an exfoliating brush. Yes, you heard that right! This one isn't a liquid solution. You simply grab a hold of this brush and gently massage your skin with it before removing hair.
Don't forget to go in circular motions to ensure the dead skin cells and ingrown hairs get removed and the smooth skin underneath is revealed. These motions will also help lift the trapped ingrown hair on your skin. Once lifted, you can easily shave them off in one go. The brush itself is extremely easy to hold and its ergonomic grip ensures your hands don't tire after using it for a long time.
Pros
- Exfoliates your skin to reveal smooth skin
- Lifts ingrown hairs before you shave for easy removal
- An ergonomic design that is super easy to hold for a long period
Cons
- The bristles could be softer
Pacific Shaving Company Ingrown Hair Treatment — Best Aftershave
The Pacific Shaving Company brings us their ingrown hair treatment as an aftershave balm. You simply apply it onto your skin after shaving and expect reduced redness and rash. The cool sensation it provides is further enhanced by its minty spearmint scent.
This option is planned using cruelty-free and safe ingredients that breathe a new life of freshness into your skin. Chief among these ingredients are caffeine and aloe vera. While the latter provides nourishment, caffeine is a natural antioxidant that helps your skin repair after a shave session and prevents ingrown hairs from settling in.
Pros
- The Aloe Vera provides a moisturizing effect on your skin
- A spearmint scent for added freshness
- Caffeine prevents razor bumps or ingrown hairs after shaving
Cons
- The powerful scent may be a turn off for some
Tweezees Ingrown Hair Treatment — Classic Option
We couldn't really end this list without mentioning tweezers, now could we? Tweezers are the original ingrown hair treatment. These from Tweezees tick all the boxes of a good pair of tweezers. They are made from high-quality stainless steel of 410 grade and boast sharp ends that have been perfectly aligned for extra precision. We particularly like how this pick comes with plastic caps that go over the points for safety purposes.
Pros
- Extremely lightweight and comfortable to hold
- Top-notch construction enhances longevity
- The two ends are sharp enough to offer enhanced accuracy
- Superb value for money
Cons
- Can get easily lost because of the small size
Ingrown Hair Treatments: Buying Guide
We'll give you a complete 101 to the different treatments for ingrown hairs in this buyer's guide section. We'll also equip you with some tips and tricks to ensure you make the correct purchase decision.
From Our Celebrity Expert, Olivia Elgart:
"Just like everyone else, celebrities deal with ingrown hair when shaving and Amanda Seyfried is no different. But she manages her situation and you can too. Ingrown hair treatments are incredibly effective because they remove the hair while also removing bacteria. Making it harder for ingrown hairs to appear. I recommend you try them out."
What Happens If an Ingrown Hair Is Left Untreated?
An untreated ingrown hair can cause you troubles in both the short term and long-run:
Short-term agony
Usually, the first symptom of ingrown hair is itchiness and discomfort. If left untreated, this discomfort can turn into painful inflammation and redness.
Long-term disaster
Over time, these ingrown hairs can cause your skin to develop an infection. You can also expect puss to fill in these infectious cavities. This will further exacerbate the pain. Permanent scarring and face bumps are also actual possibilities.
What are the Different Ingrown Hair Treatments?
In this brief, we'll look at these two types of ingrown hair treatments:
- Ingrown hair treatment solutions
- Ingrown hair treatment tools
Ingrown hair treatment solutions
As their name suggests, this type of treatment is a liquid, cream, or gel-based solution. It is made from a variety of natural ingredients or chemicals. Depending on the product, you are supposed to apply these solutions to the designated area before or after hair removal. Some ingrown solutions can cure this condition, while others can prevent it altogether.
Ingrown hair treatment tools
Tools like exfoliating brushes and tweezers can also help in treating ingrown hairs. While the latter is all about individually pulling out the ingrown hairs from your skin, an exfoliating brush will hoist your ingrown hairs. You can then easily shave them off using a razor.
Things to Consider When Buying Ingrown Hair Treatment Solutions
Now that you know all about the treatments, here are two key considerations you must make when in the market for a new ingrown hair solution:
Ease of application
Your new solution must be simple to apply. Always remember you'll be using this product daily. So, anything that is a hassle to put on should be a big no. Keep an eye out for easy-to-spread creams and balms.
You can also opt for options like the Evagloss Ingrown Hair Treatment that come with roller designs for effortless application. You can get a better idea of how easy to apply your ingrown hair solution is by looking through the customer review section.
Ingredients
As far as formulation goes, you must say yes to solutions that contain nourishing and exfoliating ingredients like salicylic acid, aloe vera, and caffeine. Ones with potential allergens or toxic ingredients should be a big no.
Buying Tips for Ingrown Hair Treatment Tools
If you're opting for a tool to combat ingrown hairs, here are two tips to help you make a more informed decision:
Ergonomics and ease of use
Your new tool must be comfortable to hold. So, prioritize ones that boast an ergonomic and safe design. We also recommend choosing something that isn't too much of a hassle to operate.
Durability
Trust us, the last thing you want is your new exfoliating brush to break down or your tweezer to bend out of shape. So, ensure they are well made and meant to last some time. You can get a good idea of how durable your tool is by looking at some customer testimonials.
