Why Do We Get Ingrown Hairs From Shaving?

Have you ever wondered why you get ingrown hairs after shaving?

To break it down as simply as possible, the modern razor design, (the kind with multiple rows of razors), is designed to create the “lift and cut” technique. The first razor is designed to lift the hair up as you’re shaving against the hair growth. The second or third row of razors are designed to cut the hair. This design is to ensure the closest possible shave.

How does this cause ingrown hairs?

When the hair is lifted and then cut, the hair then retracts slightly back into the skin. When your hair begins growing back, it is more likely to grow back into the skin vs. out of the skin, since it’s already slightly beneath the skin after shaving. 

This is more likely to happen for those with curly hair and curly hair areas. Since curly hair grows in a variation of C patterns, the hair is more likely to grow into the skin instead of out, as it begins growing back after shaving with a modern razor.

It’s important to know that ingrown hairs are insanely common with any type of hair and hair removal. In fact, they’re pretty much the norm! BUT there’s lots you can do to reduce the likelihood of getting ingrown hairs.

If shaving doesn’t agree with you, your skin, or your hair, you can try sugaring! Many women with coarse, curly hair have issues with shaving and have switched to sugaring, as it reduces the likelihood of getting ingrown hairs.

So how does sugaring reduce the likelihood of getting ingrown hairs? 

Since the hair is removed in its’ natural direction, the removal is VERY thorough. What this means is that the entire hair shaft is extracted and much of the hair is removed from its nutrient source during sugaring hair removal. When hair is removed from its’ nutrient source, the hair cannot grow back thick and healthy!

Instead, it grows back thinner, softer, and more sparse.

As the hair begins growing back after sugaring, the hair can straighten as well, making it less likely to protrude into the skin.

The best thing you can do is figure out which hair removal method, if any, works for you! Knowing how hair removal methods work is one way you can make your personal best hair removal decisions.