The Men's Room

Ingrown hairs? Here’s why.

March 30, 2011 Shaving 5 Comments

ingrown hair11 Ingrown hairs? Heres why.Ingrown hairs are the result of the hair growing back into the skin. Why do so many men (and women) suffer with this?

Let me help shed some light on this.  But first, I need to establish that knowing the correct way to shave (Quick & Classic Shaving Tips),  is the #1 step to reducing ingrown hairs.

So let’s begin.

Two things you MUST stop doing!

  1. Shaving against the grain
  2. Following the trend of multiple blade  razors (all have lift-cut engineering)

Why? Because both practices promote a smoother shave by cutting the hair below the skin line. However, the main objective in reducing ingrown hairs is to control the hair.  And, the only way to control the hair is for you to see it.

Most men that suffer with ingrown hairs have curly or wavy beards.  These beards grow at an angle out of the skin anywhere from 0 – 40 degrees (very low to the surface). So your best bet is to shave in a way that will keep the hairabovethe skin line.

I recommend…

  1. Shaving with the grain
  2. Less is more…blades that is.
  • Try single or double blades – more control in customizing the length of the beard.
  • Consider razor blades with guards that prevent the hair from getting cut too close (ex. Bump Fighter razor blade w/ Bump Guard)
  • Replace often – use same razor no more than 3 times

Or…

Try electric shaving

There are quite a few post shave products on the market that are designed to assist in remedying this issue as well (i.e. 3-in-1 Post Shave, The Cool FixBump Patrol).  However, as I stated earlier, knowing the correct way to shave is the first step.

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5 Comments

  1. Michael Ferrera November 7, 2011 at 11:11 pm

    What if a gentlemann is using and electric razor? I’m sure same rules apply but anything else that gent should know.

  2. Lisa (Shavin' Maven) August 15, 2012 at 8:37 am

    Craig,
    Thanks so much for mentioning Bump Patrol. We agree wholeheartedly that shaving against the grain goes against a man’s goal for long-term smoothness. Shaving incorrectly causes irritation, then inflammation, which can cause hair to get trapped under the skin. Keep up the good work of educating your following! — Lisa (Shavin’ Maven for Bump Patrol)

  3. Martin August 15, 2012 at 3:19 pm

    So lisa against the grain is wrong is that what youre saying? What about across the grain? Sideways? Is that just as bad? Thanks in advance.

  4. Lisa (Shavin' Maven) August 16, 2012 at 8:23 am

    Yes, Martin. You don’t want to tug the hair or irritate the skin. A bit self-serving here, but allow me to share Bump Patrol’s how-to video: http://www.mmproducts.com/bumppatrol/ We agree with Craig — it’s WITH the grain to avoid the pain.

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