Epilation is a very effective hair removal method. An epilator is a device that removes hair from the root, allowing you to enjoy hair-free skin for a longer period of time while saving money and time. Epilation can result in smoother skin that lasts up to 4 weeks. But, does epilation cause ingrown hairs too?
You can even remove pubic or facial hair with an epilator, but be prepared for some discomfort if this is your first time using one. There are steps you can take to reduce your chances of getting ingrown hairs. Keep reading to learn more about epilators and ways of preventing ingrown hairs.
Ingrown hair is hair that doesn’t regrow smoothly or has problems leaving the shaft of the follicle. Curly or sideways-growing hair types are more prone to ingrown hair. When growing out, pulled hair frequently doubles over, coils like a spring, grows slightly sideways and pierces the skin or grows beneath the skin’s surface. The hair-pierced area becomes inflamed and forms a red pimple.
Hair removal methods such as shaving, waxing, tweezing and hair removal cream can all result in ingrown hair.
Do Epilators Cause Ingrown Hairs?
Epilators can cause ingrown hairs if you don’t use the device correctly and the skin is not properly cared for. Dead skin cells getting in the way are the most common cause of ingrown hairs. The main drawback of epilation is that new hairs that grow back have finer tips and therefore have a harder time penetrating the skin, particularly if there is an accumulation of dead skin inside or on top of the follicle. It also depends on your skin type.
Are You Prone To Ingrown Hairs?
Some people are simply more prone to ingrown hairs than others. Ingrown hairs are also common in some people who use certain types of hair removal like shaving, waxing or plucking. In addition, certain body parts, like the bikini area or beard, are more prone to ingrown hairs in some people.
Start with a small area of hair on your leg if you’ve never epilated before and wait for a few days to see how it goes before moving on to a larger skin area.
- It is critical to keep the device close to the skin while epilating. This enables the device to remove hair from the roots by pulling it out closely from the skin.
- To avoid cuts, keep the skin taut while epilating.
- Take a warm shower to soften and open your pores and lessen the discomfort.
- Avoid using an epilator on long hair because it can be excruciatingly painful.
- Clean your epilator after use. Click here to see how.
We recommend using the tool with medium hair growth (5 mm or 0,2 inches). If your hair is longer, you can trim it before epilating.
How To Prevent Ingrown Hairs After Epilation
Even the best epilators can cause ingrown hair if not used properly, so make sure to follow our tips for preventing ingrown hairs.
Choose A Good Epilator
There are some things you should consider when choosing a good epilator:
- Selecting a quality epilator requires attention to adjustable speed.
- The ideal epilator should be small and light enough to be carried around.
- Good epilators have rechargeable batteries.
- There are between 20 and 60 tweezers on a good epilator. Some epilators even come with 100 or more tweezers.
A lower number of tweezers could mean that less hair is grabbed at the root and that some hair is grabbed but only pulled halfway until it breaks.
What is an epilator? Check our blog posts if you’re looking for the best facial epilators or want to know how to use an epilator.
Exfoliate
Exfoliating the area a day before can give you the best results and help you avoid ingrown hairs. You can remove the top layer of skin with the help of regular exfoliation. It also prevents hairs from growing inward or into the skin’s top layer and becoming a painful ingrown hair.
- Chemical exfoliation entails using a lotion or cream containing exfoliating acids, such as alpha hydroxy or AHA, to accelerate skin cell turnover. Applying salicylic acid lotion to your skin helps to clear out dead skin cells from the skin’s surface and unclog hair follicles. Apply a thin layer of salicylic acid after using an epilator. This will prevent ingrown hairs and leave your skin smooth and soft. Chemical exfoliants are typically safer than many physical exfoliants because they don’t rub the skin.
If you use a chemical exfoliant, we advise you to always wear sunscreen because it can make your skin more susceptible to the sun’s rays.
- Physical exfoliation physically removes the top layer of skin using a variety of instruments or abrasives. You can get dermabrasion sponges or brushes with motors, as well as abrasive sponges and scrubs that accomplish the same task without a motor. Physical exfoliants are excellent treatment options when you need an immediate fix or have neglected your skincare regimen for some time because they only act on the top layer of skin. You can use physical exfoliation scrub made from coffee, coconut, oats or apricot. Scrubbing the skin clears the hair follicle and removes debris. Even if you have epilated, you can scrub the area after two to three days to encourage healthy hair growth.
When using both chemical and physical exfoliation, exercise caution. Excessive exfoliation can damage your skin’s natural moisture barrier and overdry it. You should exfoliate 2-3 times per week.
Moisturize
Keeping skin moisturized and exfoliated promotes healthy hair growth and nurtures follicles, which aids in the treatment and prevention of ingrown hairs or razor bumps. Moisturizing will give you smooth and supple skin. Choose a moisturizer labeled “non-comedogenic”, which means it will not clog your pores.
Use Tea Tree Oil
You can apply tea tree oil to your skin before the procedure to prepare it, and it is safe to use even after epilating. The tea tree also aids in infection prevention. It has natural antiseptic properties, as well as antifungal and antibacterial properties.
If you want to know how to get rid of ingrown hairs, visit our blog post.
Conclusion
Does epilation cause ingrown hair? It can if you don’t take proper care of your skin. That’s why it’s crucial to prepare your skin for epilation. If you still get ingrown hairs after exfoliating, using a good epilating technique and a high-quality epilator, we recommend trying a different hair removal method better suited to your skin type.
