Ingrown Hairs: If You Know, You Really Know

Kristin Rabin, RMT
Apr 30
2 min read

Ingrown hairs—ugh. If you’ve ever had one, you already understand the frustration (and sometimes pain) that comes with them. These little troublemakers are not only annoying, but if not handled correctly, they can lead to inflammation, scarring, or even infection.

Let’s break down what’s really going on under your skin—and more importantly, how to prevent ingrown hairs for good.

What Exactly Is an Ingrown Hair?

An ingrown hair is a hair that has curled back or grown sideways into the skin instead of rising up and out. The result? Red bumps, irritation, and sometimes even pus-filled pimples. Not cute. Not comfortable.

What Causes Ingrown Hairs?

The most common culprits? Shaving, tweezing, and waxing. And if you have naturally curly or coarse hair, you’re even more prone to them. Here’s why:

Shaving

When you shave, the blade cuts the hair at an angle. As it grows back, that sharp tip can easily pierce the skin and grow inward. Combine that with clogged follicles from dead skin cells, and you’ve got the perfect storm for an ingrown hair.

Tweezing

Tweezing may seem precise, but it often breaks the hair below the skin's surface. Instead of pulling the entire follicle cleanly, it can leave fragments behind, which get trapped under the skin.

Waxing

Waxing removes hair from the root—but often in the opposite direction of hair growth. This can cause hair to snap or grow back at odd angles, making it more likely to curl inward.

Why Sugaring Is the MVP of Ingrown Hair Prevention

Here’s where things get sweet—literally. Sugaring is one of the most effective methods of hair removal if you're trying to avoid ingrown hairs, and here’s why:

Removes hair in the natural direction of growth – This helps prevent breakage and encourages proper regrowth.
Extracts the entire hair follicle – Not just part of it, reducing the risk of hair becoming trapped under the skin.
Gently exfoliates – Sugaring only removes dead skin cells, keeping pores clear and reducing buildup that leads to ingrowns.

Plus, it’s 100% natural, kind to sensitive skin, and safe to use on all areas of the body. It’s no wonder sugaring is becoming the go-to solution for smoother skin and fewer ingrown hairs.

The Smooth Move

At Her Smooth Moves, we're all about solutions that work with your body, not against it. If ingrown hairs are crashing your glow, book a sugaring session with us today and experience the smoother, healthier way to remove hair—for good.

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