Ever wondered why you can’t seem to avoid pesky ingrown hairs? We turned to the team at Brazilian Butterfly to help! Here are five things you might be doing that promote ingrown hair.
1. You aren’t exfoliating:
The most common cause of ingrown hairs is a lack of exfoliation. Whilst we have all heard the advice of exfoliating after a wax, many of us ignore this advice and don’t bother. It is critical to exfoliate after a wax to not only minimize those pesky ingrown hairs but to maintain that smooth post wax feeling. Exfoliating removes dead skin cells, which clears the way for the newer skin underneath to appear. By removing the dead skin cells you minimize the chance of hairs being caught underneath and thus becoming ingrown.
The Brazilian Butterfly team recommends using the BB Body Scrub with a BB exfoliating mitt, glove or puff in the shower several times a week. To rehydrate after exfoliation try either the BB Tea Tree body lotion or for those with delicate skin the BB Delicate body lotion.
2. You aren’t using aftercare products:
While we have all felt pressured into buying recommended products when it comes to post wax care, the after products are crucial for maintaining your skin and ensuring ingrown hairs don’t appear.
On top of the items mentioned above they highly recommend all waxing clients to regularly use the BB Soothe post treatment, which has been specially formulated to relieve and prevent the discomfort of ingrown hairs. For males this product is great at treating male shaving rash as well! The BB Soothe is recommended as an application for any lumps and bumps that may occur in the open hair follicles and the best part is, it isn’t alcohol-based meaning it works for even the most delicate of skin. It contains an active ingredient, which helps to exfoliate the skin, bringing ingrown hairs to the surface for easy removal and also contains aloe vera and chamomile, which in conjunction work to reduce the swell and discomfort of ingrown hairs.
3. You are waxing too frequently
It can be tempting to remove hair as soon as it starts to grow, but scheduling a wax too early will hurt you in the long run. If you wax your hair when it is shorter than 1/4 of an inch, the wax doesn’t have enough hair to grip onto which means your hairs will break instead of being pulled out at the roots. Having your hair break will result in ingrown hairs and irritation so it’s best to practice patience and leave your hair to regrow before waxing.
4. Staying in active wear for too long after a workout
Activewear is fast becoming an everyday outfit for most of us. But staying in tight clothing and synthetic fabrics such as nylon leggings, skinny jeans and polyester underwear will only exacerbate ingrown hairs. These fabrics rub against the skin and don’t allow the skin to breathe, meaning more ingrown hairs for you. Combine this with perspiration during a workout, and it’s the perfect breeding ground for bacteria. After a wax try to stick with light, breathable fabrics.
5. Overactive sebaceous glands
Sebaceous glands, which are located at the base of the hair follicles, sometimes become overactive and release too much oil. This, combined with dead skin cells, tends to clog pores, which provides a wonderful environment for bacteria to form. It also means the hair regrowth becomes trapped under the skin forming an ingrown hair. Make sure you are exfoliating regularly; if symptoms persist it is best you contact your doctor or dermatologist.
As specialists in waxing, the team at Brazilian Butterfly make sure you are in good hands and can provide you with further advice on minimising ingrown hairs tailored to your skin and hair type. To book head over to their official website.
NEXT: Due for a waxing appointment? Here’s how to How to Make your Brazilian wax less painful make your experience less painful.
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