How to Prevent Ingrown Hair Underarm
While having an ingrown hair underarm isn’t anything serious, it can be uncomfortable. An ingrown armpit hair is caused when the hair grows back into the skin instead of emerging from the follicle, leading to redness, irritation, and painful bumps. If you shave your pits, you’re more likely to end up with an underarm ingrown hair. So, what causes ingrown hairs on armpits? And what can you do about it?
We’ve put together this guide so you can learn the causes of ingrown underarm hair and the best treatments. Plus, how to prevent ingrown hair underarm.
What is Ingrown Underarm Hair?
Ingrown armpit hair is a condition where the hair follicles in the underarm region get trapped under the skin instead of growing naturally. This happens when hairs curl back into the skin, causing bumps and irritation. Those with coarse or curly hair are more prone to underarm ingrowns. However, ingrown hairs tend to pop up anywhere you shave, wax, or tweeze as these hair removal methods blunt the ends of the hair.
Here are some signs you might be dealing with an ingrown hair underarm:
Painful bump or cyst: Ingrowns can appear as painful red bumps, pimples, or cysts which may be tender to the touch.
Redness and itching: Ingrown underarm hairs can cause redness and discomfort around the affected area. If you’re seeing redness or feeling itchy, it could be a trapped hair.
Hyperpigmentation: Leaving an armpit ingrown hair untreated can lead to darkening of the skin or pigmentation in the area due to the prolonged trauma and irritation.
Causes of Ingrown Hair Underarm
Here are some of the most common causes of underarm ingrown hairs.
1: You’re Not Shaving Properly
Without a doubt, poor hair removal techniques are the most common cause of ingrown hairs on armpits. Shaving against the grain or without shaving cream, using dull razors, or going over the same area multiple times can all increase your chances of underarm ingrown hairs. In order to prevent future ingrowns, it’s imperative to invest in a good shaving routine.
2: Your Tight-Fitting Shirts are Causing Friction
Tight clothing can cause friction, leading to ingrown hairs. If you regularly wear tight-fighting shirts or bras, this could be the reason behind your ingrown hair underarm as they rub against the area excessively.
3: Your Sweaty Workouts
Excessive sweating is another common culprit. That’s because sweat creates a moist environment that can clog the hair follicles and lead to the development of armpit ingrowns.
How to Get Rid of Underarm Ingrown Hair
Ingrowns are indeed uncomfortable but they’re usually nothing to worry about. Luckily, there are a few treatment options when it comes to how to get rid of ingrown hair on underarm. First, avoid hair removal methods such as shaving, plucking, waxing, and depilatory creams until the underarm ingrown fully heals. Then, follow these steps below.
1: Apply a Warm Compress to Soften Skin
Start by applying a warm compress to the affected area to alleviate inflammation and soften the skin to make it easier for the underarm ingrown hair to break free. Simply run a washcloth under warm water, squeeze out excess water, and apply to the armpit region. It’s a simple yet effective home remedy for soothing razor bumps and irritation. Plus, it feels really good!
2: Exfoliate to Untrap the Hair
Next, very gently exfoliate the skin with a chemical exfoliant like salicylic acid or glycolic acid. Exfoliation helps remove dead skin cells on the skin’s surface, allowing the trapped hair to emerge. It can also speed up skin cell turnover, preventing the buildup of dead cells and ultimately ingrown hairs underarm.
Scrubs are another good option for exfoliation. Apply to the area using circular motions to buff away dead cells and rinse thoroughly. Doing this will unclog the hair follicles, giving the trapped hair a chance to surface.
3: Apply an Ingrown Serum
To treat ingrown hairs on the armpits, apply an ingrown serum. Ingrown serums are formulated with anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial ingredients like tea tree oil and lavender oil to calm and heal the skin while preventing infected ingrown hairs. They also help to promote healthy hair growth to avoid future ingrowns.
While you can remove underarm ingrowns with tweezers and a sterile needle, most dermatologists do not recommend it as it can cause infections if done incorrectly. It is better to use over-the-counter skincare products designed to ease ingrowns.
4: Swipe On an Ingrown Deodorant
If deodorant is a part of your body care regimen, switch to a clean, aluminum-free, ingrown-fighting deodorant. These deodorants typically contain exfoliating and antibacterial ingredients to combat odors, ingrowns, and hyperpigmentation. And because the product stays on your skin for a long period of time, it continually works against underarm ingrown hairs.
How to Prevent Ingrown Hair Underarm
Ingrowns are painful and uncomfortable. Fortunately, you can stop them from forming in the first place. Read on to learn how to prevent underarm ingrown hairs.
1: Optimize Your Shave
One of the best ways to prevent armpit ingrown hairs is to improve your shaving routine and techniques. Always use a shaving gel, cream, or butter to lubricate the skin to avoid razor burn and ingrowns. Doing so will allow your razor to glide across the skin without friction or pressure that contribute to trapped hairs.
Always shave with a clean, sharp razor. Five blade razors are particularly good for removing hair effortlessly and painlessly—and preferable to single-blade razors. You should also avoid shaving against the direction of hair growth. Instead, shave with the grain to ensure a smooth, irritation-free shave.
If you have thick, coarse hair, remove excess hair with a trimmer before going in with your razor to ensure an easier glide without much friction.
2: Exfoliate Regularly
Exfoliation is both a treatment and a preventative step for ingrown hair underarm. Aim to exfoliate your armpits 2-3 times a week with a mild scrub or chemical exfoliant to remove dead skin cells and prevent buildup that can clog the follicles. It also preps skin for a smoother, closer shave as it stops your razor from getting clogged with dead cells.
3: Moisturize Daily
Keeping your underarms moisturized is essential for maintaining a strong skin barrier and preventing dryness that can lead to ingrown hairs on underarms. Look for a lightweight lotion formulated with hydrating, soothing ingredients like peptides and hyaluronic acid. Shea butter is another good ingredient that acts as an emollient to soothe and soften skin.
4: Wear Loose-Fitting Clothing
Wear loose, breathable clothing to reduce friction against the armpits, reducing the risk of ingrowns. The constant rubbing of tight t-shirts and bras can lead to ingrown hairs, so switching to looser clothing can make all the difference.
Best Ingrown Hair Underarm Treatments
Ahead, the best treatments for ingrown underarm hair. Enjoy smoother, fresher armpits with these cult-fave routines.
Truly Cooka Routine
Cooka Oil + Cooka Concentrate work in tandem to fix ingrown hairs and inflammation in a flash. Formulated with tea tree, lavender, primrose, and jojoba oil— all packed with anti-microbial, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory properties—to soften hair, clear pores, and heal painful bumps while encouraging healthy hair growth.
Truly Pit Perfecting Set
Everything you need for silky smooth, bump-free underarms is right here in this set. You get: a body scrub, shave butter, pigment potion, and brightening deodorant plus a five-blade razor and vegan fur bag. Made with pH-balancing, exfoliating fruit enzymes and soothing emollients to fight odor, treat ingrowns, and alleviate discoloration.
Truly Coco Cloud Shave Routine
Soothing, softening, and coconut-scented, this sumptuous set makes shaving a breeze. Enriched with coconut milk, shea butter, argan oil, and vitamin E to strengthen barrier function, soften coarse hair, and heal active inflammation. It’s the perfect routine for those with dry skin.
Truly Dreamiest Shave Set
A sweet and scrumptious set filled with ingrown-fighting formulas for baby soft skin all over. It features a whipped shave butter, after shave oil, after shave moisturizer, and ingrown-preventing deodorant for velvety smooth underarms with delicious scents of coconut, vanilla glaze, strawberry, and cotton candy. Powered by peptides, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid.
When it comes to how to prevent ingrown hair underarm, it’s important to improve your shave routine, regularly exfoliate, and use topical treatments that specifically target ingrowns. If ingrown hair on underarms are a constant issue and these remedies do not help, speak to your dermatologist.
Watch our newest shave set in action:
