AVOID UNSIGHTLY AND PAINFUL INGROWN HAIRS

Ingrown hairs (also called razor bumps) are generally not a serious skin care problem, but it can be unsightly, painful and very bothersome for men. They result when the shaved hair gets trapped inside the follicle or grows back into the skin. It can cause scarring, redness and swelling (its medical term is Pseudofolliculitis Barbae or PFB).

Following all four of the steps in this regimen for several weeks will help combat and solve the most stubborn conditions or occasional ingrown hairs.

1. Treat with active ingredients

The first step is to use active ingredients. There are tons of men skin care products that claim to alleviate ingrown hairs and razor bumps, but don't rush to conclusions. The truth is that the active ingredient that eliminates razor bumps is Salicylic Acid. It is a dermatological-grade ingredient that exfoliates, moisturizes and clears your pores, thus avoiding any further infections. Use a post-shave product that contains salicylic acid and that way it will stay on your skin during the day. Also, do not use foam shaving creams because these can dry and irritate the skin. Instead use non-acnegenic shaving creams which are specially made for men with sensitive skin. You should NEVER use products that contain alcohol. Alcohol, will seriously worsen ingrown hairs by drying the skin and closing the pores.

2. Improve your skin's surface

The second step focuses on how to improve the surface of your skin. Exfoliating (removing the upper layers of dead skin) is indispensable to manage ingrown hairs. Daily use of a gentle face scrub with glycolic and salicylic acid is particularly effective.

TIP: Using a soft-bristle face brush and liquid cleanser in a circular motion on your beard will help further to dislodge the tips of ingrown hairs, eliminate dead skin cells and clear follicles to allow hairs to surface unimpeded.

3. Adjust your shaving technique

By now you should know that shaving too closely is one of the main triggers for razor bumps. If you didn't know, well you know now. Hair stubs cut too closely will get trapped inside the hair follicle, dig inward or sideways and…tada! An ingrown hair is born. Some helpful advice to avoid shaving too close is to not pull the skin when you shave; don't put too much pressure on the blades; shave with the grain using a single-blade razor and avoid repeated strokes in the same.

IMPORTANT: You will need to maintain this approach over time, because one shave too close, will be enough to cause a recurrence of ingrown hairs that will take weeks to heal.

4. Treat already ingrown hairs

So what do you do about the ingrown hairs you currently have? Well, to rid yourself of the little pesky suckers, simply but carefully lift the ingrown end out with tweezers. DO NOT PLUCK THEM OUT! Just lift them out of the skin otherwise the ingrown hair will only re-grow deeper. Using products that contain azulene, allantoin and witch hazel will help reduce the redness and swelling. These ingredients will keep you comfortable.

Visit the post-shave section of our website at www.adamgrooming.com to view products that combat ingrown hairs