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If there’s anything worse than acne, it’s the dreaded ingrown hairs on your legs. Ugh, who decided my legs should start resembling strawberries? 🍓 (And no, not the cute kind in a field—thanks for nothing, universe!)
But don’t worry, you’re not stuck with them forever. Whether it’s the pesky bumps caused by shaving, waxing, or just life being annoying, I’ve got the tea on how to banish those ingrown hairs for good. Get ready for smooth, glow-worthy legs minus the frustration.
Let’s fix ingrown hair now, shall we?
1. Stop Picking At It
I get it. It’s so tempting to poke, prod, and (ugh) dig at an ingrown hair. Guilty as charged!
But babe, doing that only makes things worse! Picking can lead to infections, scarring, or making the issue ten times uglier. It sometimes even makes the red bumps more prominent!
There’s a right way to scoop out ingrown hair, though, but until you don’t know or do that, keep your hands off, okay?
2. Prevent Before You Pluck!
Girls and guys, if you’ve done everything under the roof and still cannot treat ingrown hair, the problem is your hair removal method. Shaving (even when you do it 100% rightly) can still cause strawberry legs. And that’s just a hard fact to digest.
Either shift to waxing or the best things ever yet – laser treatments. They reduce the chances of those pesky curls growing the wrong way.
I always used to wax my legs and skin, and even then, I couldn’t get rid of it with ingrown hair (though the case was not that bad, it was still pretty bad). And now i have been doing laser for 2 years and trust me i cannot recognize my skin.
I know the price isn’t that cheap, but the sanity and smooth legs that i have gained was worth it for me!
3. Gently Exfoliate the Area
If I can tell you one at-home way to get rid of ingrown hair, exfoliation it is! Exfoliating helps shed dead skin cells, making it easier for that stubborn hair to peek through.
Now, you can do it in two ways – physically (like sugar, coffee, or Tree Hut scrubs or dry brush) or chemically (hello, salicylic, lactic, glycolic acid serums/peels).
I have used them both, so here’s my verdict. If you have a mild case of ingrown hair, you can get away with physical exfoliants. Or if you’ve treated the problem and now just want to maintain those shiny legs, use sugar scrubs. They are mild enough for the skin and work!
Here are my favorite body scrubs
But don’t go scrubbing like you’re sanding a piece of furniture—keep it soft and easy!
If you’ve got a case where you’re a little too embarrassed to show off your legs, hail down to chemical exfoliants. I LOVE LOVE LOVE The Ordinary’s products for it. They’re cheap (because your body needs a whole lot of the product) and work like magic.
If you need something to use on a daily basis after a shower, I recommend salicylic or lactic acid serum or swiping your legs with glycolic acid toner. Once a week, you must also use an AHA/BHA chemical peel. Follow this routine for merely 2 weeks, and I can guarantee you results!!
These are top-tier chemical exfoliants for ya’ll
4. Use a Warm, Damp Washcloth
Just grab a clean washcloth, soak it in warm water, and press it against the area. The warmth softens the skin and encourages the hair to rise to the surface, like coaxing a shy friend out of hiding. A simple trick, but oh-so-satisfying!
After that, you can either pluck it out safely or use a treatment.
5. Optional Move—Tweezer Time (If You Must)
Once the hair is nearly out, and we mean barely below the surface, you can—very carefully—use a sterilized needle or tweezers to lift it. But please do this only if necessary and with a gentle touch. This isn’t an excavation project, people!
6. Grab an Ingrown Hair Treatment
When in doubt, call in reinforcements. Products with tea tree oil, witch hazel, glycolic acid, or retinoids are your MVPs. These ingredients fight inflammation, reduce redness, and unclog pores.
7. Soothe with Hydrocortisone or Aloe Vera
If the area is looking red, puffy, or irritated, treat it with hydrocortisone cream (Ask for it at any drugstore). Prefer a natural touch? Aloe vera gel or chamomile can calm your skin and leave it feeling refreshed.
Do NOT even think of using an oil to moisturize it, especially coconut oil.
8. Moisturize, But Keep It Light
Dry skin is more prone to irritation and can trap hairs. Make sure to use a non-comedogenic moisturizer to keep your skin soft and smooth without clogging pores. Make it smell amazing, and you’ll never skip a day.
I love my CeraVe SA renewing lotion. I won’t trade it for the world!
9. Try the “Shave Smarter” Method
If you’re shaving, make sure you’re going with the grain of your hair, not against it. It’s less aggressive on your skin and reduces the chances of hair curling back under. Bonus points if you use short strokes instead of rushing like you’re late for brunch.
10. Ditch That Razor-Blade Graveyard
You know how they say prevention is better than cure? Yep, using dull razors is a one-way ticket to Ingrowntown. Treat yourself to a new, sharp blade (and maybe some fancy shaving cream while you’re at it?) every few shaves (5-7 approximately).
11. Skip the Tight Clothes
If ingrowns are showing up along bikini lines or thighs, your skinny jeans might be the guilty party. Tight clothes rub against your skin and block hair from coming out properly. Switch to comfy, loose-fitting options and give your skin some breathing room!
12. Bonus tip? Switch to silk or stain bedding
If you’re dealing with ingrown hairs where your skin rubs against fabrics, like your face, neck, or legs, rough materials can make it worse. Consider switching to silk or satin for your bedding and clothing (undergarments and stuff)!
Sleeping on silk or satin helps reduce friction, allowing your skin to heal faster and preventing irritation. Plus, they’re gentle on your skin and feel so luxurious!
