Shaving is a daily habit for most men and many women. It doesn't even matter what part of the body you shave, you will always be prone to razor burn or ingrown hairs. However, some parts of the body, such as the face, are much more prone to ingrown hairs due to the thickness of the hair.

If you take the necessary steps to prevent ingrown hairs, they won't be an issue. There are actually several things that you can do to prepare your skin and hair before shaving.

Prevent Ingrown Hairs

Ingrown hairs normally occur when the end of the hair shaft is cut into a sharpened edge that curves back into the same hair follicle. It normally produces itchiness, redness, or a raised infected area. Oftentimes, the ingrown hair can actually be seen under the raised area.

Most cases of ingrown hairs are mild and isolated. However, in some people this can later develop into severe folliculitis. Furthermore, bacteria and yeast infections are the cause of a worse onset of problems. The best way of preventing ingrown hairs is to learn how to shave properly. This is especially true for people with naturally curly hair.

First off, you might want to switch from a hand razor to an electrical razor. An electric razor does not cut the hair into a sharp edge, which will be a key factor in preventing future ingrown hairs from appearing.

If you prefer a straight razor, disposable razor, or safety razor you must, first, prepare your skin. Wash the skin before shaving to help exfoliate it and lift the hair away from the follicle. This step will also help soften the hair and prepare it for shaving.

When you are ready to shave, pass the razor over the skin in the direction of the hair growth. Make sure you shave in the same direction every time. By doing this, you are "training" your hair to grow straight and not to grow back into the follicle.

When you are shaving, do not pull on the skin or push too hard on the razor. You can also use a single blade razor to help prevent a close shave. If you are still having problems with ingrown hairs, here are some tips to get rid of them.

Steps to Eliminate Ingrown Hairs

If you want to remove ingrown hairs you will have to use an exfoliating product to open clogged pore and allow the hair to grow outwards. The best exfoliating product is one that contains salicylic acid. This beta hydroxy acid unclogs pores by providing a chemical exfoliation.