17 Best Ingrown Hair Serums You Need This Summer

If you feel like you get ingrowns more than other people, there may be a reason why–ranging from your hair removal techniques to the texture of your hair. “The likelihood of experiencing ingrown hairs depends on numerous factors, including improper hair removal techniques, a lack of exfoliation and the preferred hair removal method,” says Anderson. “Shaving, for example, leaves hair with a sharp and blunt edge which can increase the chances of individuals experiencing ingrown hairs. Waxing can also cause ingrown hairs as it removes hair from the root but does not always remove the entire hair shaft. If the hair is not pulled out completely, it can become trapped under the skin and start growing back into the skin. Additionally, waxing can cause trauma to the hair follicle, increasing the chances of ingrown hairs. Dead skin cells can also accumulate around the hair follicle, clogging it and making it more difficult for hair to grow back.”

“Certain skin types and hair types can be more prone to ingrown hairs—sensitive skin types have to be more cautious when removing hair, as they can experience not only ingrowns but razor burn and bumps,” adds Schubert. “Coarser or curlier hair is more likely to get caught beneath the skin during the regrowth phase, so ingrowns are more likely to occur.”