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Many men get irritation after shaving, and some develop ingrown hairs. Ingrown hairs and razor bumps are more common in people with thick, coarse or curly hair, and they are especially common in Black men.[1][2]
Shaving and your skin
- Shave after a warm shower or a warm compress, use a shaving cream or gel, and shave in the direction the hair grows.[3]
- Razor bumps and ingrown hairs come from hairs curling back into the skin; shaving less closely and replacing blades after 5 to 7 shaves can help.[4][1]
- See a dermatologist for bumps that are painful, infected, keep coming back or leave dark marks.[5]
This guide is general information, not medical advice.
What Exactly is an Ingrown Hair
An ingrown hair is a hair that curls back or grows sideways into the skin after shaving, tweezing or waxing.[1] Ingrown hairs on the beard area are often called razor bumps (medical name: pseudofolliculitis barbae). They can be itchy or painful, fill with pus and leave scars or dark marks.[1][2] Razor bumps can look like acne or folliculitis, a follicle infection. A dermatologist can tell them apart, which matters because they are treated differently.[5][2]Causes of Ingrown Hairs
- Hair Type – Thick, coarse or curly hair is more likely to curl back into the skin.[1]
- Shaving Too Close – Hair cut very close to the skin is more likely to turn back in.[6]
- Shaving Against the Grain – It irritates the skin and raises the risk.[4]
- Dull or Dirty Blades – These cause razor burn and irritation.[7]
- Irritating Products – Fragrance in skin products can cause irritation and reactions.[8]
Treating Ingrown Hairs
Pause Shaving
The most reliable fix is to stop shaving until the skin clears. DermNet says this takes about 4–6 weeks, and Mayo Clinic says 1 to 6 months. Trimming with clippers is fine.[2][6]Warm Compress
A warm compress helps soften the skin and hair.[1]Exfoliate Gently
Gentle exfoliation removes dead skin and can help release ingrown hairs.[1] A lotion with glycolic acid can reduce the risk of new bumps.[6][2] Ask a doctor about a prescription retinoid such as tretinoin.[6]Lift, Don’t Dig or Pluck
Don’t pick at, scratch or pop ingrown hairs, because this can cause infection and scarring.[1] Mayo Clinic advises against tweezing them. If a hair loop is visible above the skin, gently lift the tip out with a sterile needle without breaking the skin, and leave the hair in place rather than pulling it out.[6]Soothe
Apply a cool, wet cloth and then a soothing after-shave product. Mayo Clinic says 1% hydrocortisone can be used if needed, for no more than four weeks.[6]When to See a Dermatologist
See a dermatologist if bumps are painful, infected, keep coming back or leave dark marks.[5] They may prescribe a retinoid, a steroid cream or antibiotics, or recommend laser hair removal.[6]About Anthony Ingrown Hair Treatment
We previously featured this product. Its current label lists SD Alcohol 40-B and lavender oil (alongside glycolic, salicylic and phytic acids), and no willow bark.[9] Fragrance ingredients can cause skin reactions,[8] so it no longer meets our standard for bump-prone skin, and we’ve removed it.Preventing Ingrown Hairs
- Shave After a Shower – Warm, moist skin and softened hair shave more easily.[3]
- Use a Shaving Cream or Gel – Apply it generously and don’t let it dry out.[3][6]
- Always Shave with the Grain – If you’re prone to ingrown hairs, avoid shaving against the grain, even with plenty of gel.[4][6]
- Light Strokes, No Skin Pulling – Don’t pull your skin tight, and rinse the blade after each stroke.[6]
- Sharp, Clean Blades – Replace disposable razors or blades after 5–7 shaves.[4]
- Choose a Single Blade or Leave Stubble – Cleveland Clinic and Mayo Clinic recommend a single-blade razor. Mayo also suggests electric clippers set to leave stubble.[1][6]
In Conclusion
Ingrown hairs are common, especially with curly or coarse hair.[1] Shave with the grain using a sharp single blade, exfoliate gently, never dig or pluck, and see a dermatologist if bumps keep coming back.[6][5]Sources
- Cleveland Clinic. Ingrown Hair. Accessed October 17, 2026.
- DermNet. Pseudofolliculitis barbae. Accessed October 17, 2026.
- American Academy of Dermatology. Hair removal: How to shave. Accessed October 17, 2026.
- American Academy of Dermatology. 6 razor bump prevention tips from dermatologists. Accessed October 17, 2026.
- American Academy of Dermatology. Acne-like breakouts could be folliculitis. Accessed October 17, 2026.
- Mayo Clinic. Ingrown hair: Diagnosis and treatment. Accessed October 17, 2026.
- Cleveland Clinic. Razor Burn: Causes & Treatment. Accessed October 17, 2026.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Fragrances in Cosmetics. Accessed October 17, 2026.
- Anthony. Ingrown Hair Treatment (ingredients). Accessed October 17, 2026.
Update History
- Oct 2026: Removed the advice to break the skin with a needle and tweeze ingrown hairs out by the root, the tip about shaving against the grain, the Anthony Ingrown Hair Treatment product (contains SD alcohol and lavender oil), the exfoliation video and the unsourced 60% and hormone claims; added safer treatment, single-blade razor guidance and when to see a dermatologist, with sources (AAD, Cleveland Clinic, Mayo Clinic, DermNet, FDA)
- Oct 2026: Guide reviewed and updated; added Sources (AAD, Cleveland Clinic)
- Mar 2019: First published
