Am I the only one who loves getting an ingrown hair? its so satsfying to squeeze them and get this great big long hair out!!!! fab! Unless they are painful and get infected then its not much fun!

perhaps Im just a weirdo!!

Definitely stick to shaving if you're prone to ingrown hairs, and as mentioned lots....make sure you exfoliate well! Sometimes manual exfoliation (with a loofah or sisal mitt) is not enough, so try chemical exfoliation; Decleor's Phytopeel and an Aveda exfoliation product (can't remember exact name) are especially good.

Shaving will not distort hair growth because you are not damaging the follicle using this depilation method, you are simply cutting the hair down so it is level with the skin. This is also why you will be less prone to ingrown hairs than if you were to wax.

Waxing is more invasive than shaving and because you are pulling the hair out directly from the follicle in the opposite direction to which the hair is growing, this can distort hair growth and cause hair to follow the direction in which it is waxed (for example: hair growing up the shin, rather than down).

There are pros and cons to both depilatory methods, and if you experience no contra-actions to waxing then it's fab for it's long-lasting effect! Everyone to their own

I find that many people get more ingrowns with shaving as apposed to waxing. Incorrect technique while waxing can contribute to ingrowns. It is very important to not only exfoliate after waxing but to also moisturize. I instruct my clients to exfoliate one day, moisturize the next, exfoliate, moisturize and continue to alternate until you see the hair come through. Then you can slow down on that. Then, about 4 days before you come in for another wax, start exfoliating again... every day until you come in for your wax.

Is there a exfoliater that you recommend or just any one?

Funnily enough, it's not always been my experience that shaving will cause less ingrowing hairs than waxing - especially if the shave is particularly close and the hair is shorn off just below the surface of the skin (which can easily happen with multi-bladed razors).

The hair can get trapped under a build-up of dead skin cells regardless of whether it is tweezed, waxed, shaved or sugared. Curly hair (think bikini line, underarms and afro-caribbean hair) is also more prone to getting trapped as it can curl into the wall of the follicle as it regrows.

As Amy mentioned, chemical exfoliation is a great help - something containing the BHA salicylic acid is ideal (PFB Vanish is my pick of the crop, but steer clear of Tend Skin unless you want to dry your skin out beyond recognition). You will be unable to use these products if you are allergic to asprin, however.

Andy

I'm another huge fan of PFB Vanish.. although I do like Tend Skin as well.. but people who are not educated tend to over use it.

ive found salon systems ingrown hair terminator is fab!! its in a cream form so you apply it every day to prevent ingrown hairs. I prefer it to liquids as i find them a bit messy and hard to apply.

I have to disagree with this.waxing can actually make a person more prone to ingrown hairs.Unfortunately some people are more prone to ingrown hairs than others.
As mentioned earlier moisturising the area and exfoliating will help reduce this problem.
We retail a product called Ingrow Go,it's excellent in preventing and getting rid of ingrown hairs.Men can use it as well as women.

i see you all talking about this PFB vanish but have never heard of it, is it a technciians tool only or is it somethign we can buy, i suffer with the worse ingrown hairs in my calves you have ever seen and been like it for years before i ever waxed or shaved my legs.

Have to say though i am very confused now as to whether waxing or shaving is the worse culprit as non of you seem to agree with each other.

I also love getting the odd ingrown hair and rooting around to pull it out!!

Can anyone explain what threading is?

Hey Scatty

You can buy PFB Vanish in the UK from Salonlines (click to be taken to their website, sorry mods if I'm not allowed to post this). You can also buy it wholesale from the same distributors, but will need to give them a ring in order to set up a trade account.

Alternatively, ping me a PM and I'll pop a trial size in the post for you.

Andy x

Believe me I am no expert in this skin forum .... I know nothing!! BUT I do know the experts in this field (one a particularly good friend and top educator for a top company) and she has always told me that one is more prone to ingrowing hairs after waxing than after shaving. I think amydemans post was very informative, well written and sounded logical to me.

I think I will have to invite my friend to come on as our resident expert in the skingeek forum so that we have the same type of factual information as we have on the nailgeek.

It is a known fact that waxing causes more ingrown hairs than shaving does,due to the damage done to the hair follicle as mentioned earlier.
However,one of the side effects of shaving can also be ingrown hairs.This is usually worse for people with curly hair,It's known as pseudofolliculitis barbae,or razor bumps.
These side effects can be minimized by using a fresh blade,making sure you lubricate your skin fully prior to shaving and avoid pressing the razor down too hard on the skin.