These are the 7 best ways to stop ingrown hairs for good

I don't need to tell you how annoying ingrown hairs can be. If you've ever had one you'll know just how painful and irritating they are. According to the NHS, these pesky little things happen when "hairs have curled round and grown back into the skin", which can lead to itchiness, sore spots, redness, pigmentation and even whiteheads. Not fun.

Ingrown hairs can crop up anywhere, but most commonly occur in areas where there's frequent hair removal - from the legs to the bikini line and under arms to the jawline. Whether you've recently shaved your armpits or attempted a DIY bikini wax, as the hairs start to grow back, you may notice an unwanted ingrower.

When faced with an ingrown hair, avoid the temptation to squeeze it, as you could end up pushing the hair deeper into the skin, or you could spread bacteria into the pores triggering an infection.

Often minor ingrown hairs can be left alone and they'll usually go away without you having to do anything. However, if the hair is close to the skin and you can see it, the NHS recommend "using sterile tweezers to gently tease it out. However, don't dig for the hair if it lies deep below the skin's surface." If in doubt though, leave it alone and contact your GP.

But rewind here, prevention is better than cure. How do we get rid of the irritating bumps before they even happen? Follow our 6 expert tips and put a stop to ingrown hairs, once and for all...

Exfoliate often

According to the NHS "an ingrown hair can occur when the hair follicle becomes clogged with dead skin cells". This clogging can force a hair to grow sideways (ouch), but regular exfoliation (once a week) will help prevent that build up of dead skin cells on the surface of the skin. Opt for Ameliorate's Smoothing Body Exfoliant, the combination of lactic acid and physical micro-dermabrasion granules make it seriously effective at dissolving those 'dead, follicle-clogging cells'. It'll leave skin smoother and less prone to ingrown hairs.

Ameliorate Smoothing Body Exfoliant - 300ml

Now 30% Off

£13 at LookFantastic £20 at allbeauty £18 at Space NK

Credit: Courtesy of Brand

Consider shaving alternatives

Shaving is the biggest culprit for triggering ingrown hairs, this is because 'when the hair grows back, it has a sharper edge and can easily poke back into the skin'. The NHS recommends the simplest way to prevent them "is to let your hair grow freely without shaving it", which is something I'm all for, after all, body hair is 100% natural and normal. But if you prefer to de-fluff, waxing is less likely to lead to ingrown hairs. If you're wincing at the thought of the pain (or the cost), and aren't ready to try doing your own wax either, try a sensitive hair removal cream, instead.

Veet Hair Removal Cream for Sensitive Skin 400ml

Now 25% Off

£10 at Boots

Credit: Courtesy of Brand

This Veet one comes in a larger size pump bottle and has vitamin E and aloe vera to sooth and hydrate the skin. If you find your hair is a little stubborn for hair removal cream, epilating is a great home option for pulling the hair out rather than cutting it (avoiding those sharp ends). It does have with a low level pain but that greatly lessens over time.

If you are going to shave, use the best blade

Remember, disposable razors are just that - disposable. We've all been there, that yellow Bic razor has been lurking in the corner of your shower for way too long, and yet you reach for it anyway. The next day, your bod is shaving rash central... That's because disposable razors aren't deigned for long-term use, the blades can dull quickly and leave you with an uneven, bumpy shave - which will only exasperate the ingrown hair situ. Gillette's Venus razors come highly recommended by the majority of reviewers on Amazon (and who are we to argue), just remember to invest in a couple of extra razor heads so you aren't tempted to reuse the same one over and over.

VENUS Gillette Venus Women's Razor with Blade Refill

£12 at Amazon

Credit: courtesy of brand

Another option is to invest in an electric shaver. Magnitone's Go Bare Shaver won't give you as close of a shave as a manual razor, but it's almost as good (take it from someone who knows). And, because it doesn't cut the hair quite as close to the skin it pretty much guarantees you won't get any ingrowers or itchy regrowth.

So, if you aren't fussy about feeling 110% smooth, it might be worth trading off to an electrical option for day-to-day, and keeping your manual razor for special occasions only.

Always use shaving cream

If you're using a manual razor it's oh-so important to find a good shaving cream. It will give an extra slip to the skin ensuring blades don't drag, and meaning you can avoid irritating any sensitive spots. Opt for an alcohol-free, sensitive formula, to prevent drying out your skin.

Dr. Bronner's Organic Lavender Shaving Gel

£20 at Amazon

Shave in the right direction

Shaving in the opposite direction to the hair growth means each hair will be cut at a sharper angle, and is therefore more likely to grow back under the skin. Remember to shave in the same direction as hair growth to prevent this from happening.

Why post-shave treatment is important

There are a whole host of 'post-shave' products out there, some good, some not-so good. Skin Doctors Ingrow Go actually does what it says on the bottle. The formula contains Acetylsalisylic Acid, an anti-inflammatory; and Glycolic Acid, to help dissolve any build up of dead skin cells from the surface of the dermis and prevent pores clogging and ingrown hairs.

Skin Doctors Ingrow Go Lotion (120ml)

£15 at LookFantastic £11 at allbeauty £13 at beautyexpert.com

Credit: courtesy of brand

And finally... don't beat yourself up about it

It's something that can make you feel really self-consious, but it's also something the vast majority of us have experienced. They're so much more noticeable to you than to anyone else, I promise, bodies aren't perfect and that's ok.