Dermatologist Dr Neera has shared a video revealing how to get rid of ingrown hairs and razor bumps, and people were impressed by how simple the solution is to combat the issue
Bid farewell to pesky ingrown hairs with a game-changing tip.
Deciding whether to shave is entirely up to you, but when you do reach for that razor, annoying lumps and uncomfortable ingrown hairs might follow. Ingrown hairs can pop up anywhere you’ve shaved, resulting from hair growing back and piercing into the skin instead of outwards – often because a razor gives the hair a sharp edge capable of digging into your skin.
For those battling with razor bumps, this annoyance is especially familiar if you have curly or coarse hair. Like ingrown hairs, they occur when hair retracts back into the skin post-shave and can instigate redness, and inflammation, or even lead to scarring and skin discolouration.
However, there’s a nifty way to tackle razor bumps and insidious ingrown hairs. A top dermatologist has said there’s a skincare secret to dealing with the issue: a single product, typically found in your facial care routine, holds the key.
In her TikTok video revelation, Doctor Neera disclosed that salicylic acid is the superhero ingredient for combating troublesome shaving issues.
She insisted: “If you get ingrown hairs or painful razor bumps anywhere you shave, use salicylic acid. The same salicylic acid cleanser you use on your face can double as a body wash to unclog your hair follicles to get rid of ingrowns on your groin, armpits, or legs.”
Dr Neera delved deeper into the topic in the comments, explaining that salicylic acid is an exfoliant and can treat existing ingrown hairs as well as “prevent new ones”. When asked about its application timing, she advised: “Both. It is keratolytic so it will help exfoliate before shaving and it’s anti-inflammatory to treat afterwards.”
Salicylic acid is typically used as a bactericide and an antiseptic, and it’s most commonly applied as a facial product to combat acne. The acid functions by reducing swelling and redness, and unclogging skin pores to shrink spots. This unclogging feature also aids in fighting against ingrown hairs.
You can find products containing salicylic acid in most pharmacies and supermarkets, with popular brands like The Ordinary and CeraVe offering such products. Commenters on the post expressed their gratitude to Dr Neera for the advice, while some suggested specific products that could be beneficial.
One individual commented: “Just here to say Dove has a salicylic acid body wash and it is amazing, I love it – works wonders for me.” Another added: “This is so helpful, thanks!”
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