INGROWN
HAIRS
Why shaving bumps happen, how to prevent them, and what to do when one appears.
Short answer: ingrown hairs happen when a shaved hair curls back into the skin. To reduce them, soften the hair with warm water, use a fresh blade, shave with the grain with light pressure, moisturise afterwards and avoid picking at bumps. See a pharmacist or GP if a bump is painful, infected or keeps coming back.
Small red bumps a day or two after shaving are often ingrown hairs. They are common, especially with coarse or curly hair, and usually settle on their own. The right routine makes them far less likely.
What causes ingrown hairs after shaving?
When hair is cut, the sharp tip can curl and grow back into the skin instead of out of it. That triggers a small, red, sometimes itchy bump. The main triggers are going against the grain, pressing hard, shaving over the same spot repeatedly, a dull blade and dry skin. It is different from razor burn, which is surface irritation. See our razor burn guide for that.
Six steps to prevent them
Wash with warm water and wait a few minutes. Our three-step prep routine has the detail.
Action: Warm water first, always.A dull blade drags and tugs the hair. See how often to change your blade.
Action: Change about once a week.Short, light strokes in the direction the hair grows. Against the grain gives a closer cut but a higher risk of bumps.
Action: One pass, with the grain.Pulling skin very tight lets the hair retract below the surface. Pressing hard makes it worse.
Action: Light pressure, skin only gently taut.Rinse with cool water and apply an alcohol-free balm to keep skin soft.
Action: Skip alcohol aftershave.A gentle exfoliation once or twice a week helps keep hairs from getting trapped. Do it on non-shave days, not straight after shaving.
Action: Gentle, not scrubbing.What to do and what to avoid
✓ Do
- Shave after a warm shower
- Use plenty of cream or gel
- Rinse the blade often
- Moisturise daily
✗ Avoid
- Shaving dry
- Going over the same spot again and again
- Picking or squeezing bumps
- Tight collars rubbing on fresh skin
Picking or digging at an ingrown hair can cause infection and marks. Let it settle, keep the skin clean and moisturised, and skip shaving that spot for a few days.
When to see a pharmacist or GP
- A bump is painful, swollen or full of pus
- Redness is spreading
- You get them constantly after every shave
- They leave scars or dark marks
If your skin is easily irritated, our guides to the best razor for sensitive skin and how to shave properly are good next reads.
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Frequently asked questions
A cut hair curls back into the skin. Shaving against the grain, pressing hard, a dull blade and dry skin all raise the risk.
Soften the hair with warm water, use a fresh blade, shave with the grain with light pressure, moisturise afterwards and exfoliate gently on non-shave days.
No. Razor burn is surface irritation from the shave itself. An ingrown hair is a hair growing back into the skin, usually showing as a bump a day or two later.
No. Squeezing or picking can cause infection and marks. Leave it to settle.
If a bump is painful, infected, spreading or keeps returning, speak to a pharmacist or GP.
Most ingrown hairs come from rushing the shave. Slow it down, go light, and let the skin recover.