Ingrown hair is a condition that arises when we shave. Usually, when you shave, wax or tweeze the hairs from your skin, small lumps can originate in the epidermis, thus creating ingrown hairs.
That happens when you remove hair from your skin with any method of hair removal. The hair will grow back where you shaved, and it will grow in the opposite direction to where it should typically rise from the pores on your skin. These will curl up inside the lump of skin and can eventually generate pus, making them look like simple pimples.
Ingrown hairs affect all types of people who shave or wax, but above all, they tend to be more frequent in African-American people.
Ingrown Hair on the Neck
All of us, at some point in our lives, have suffered from ingrown hairs. Even you who are reading this possibly have one of them.
Ingrown hairs are very common in people’s daily lives. Do not despair if you see that your ingrown hair has not disappeared. They usually heal on their own over time.
The places where the ingrown hairs usually appear are:
- The area where the beard grows, that is, on the chin.
- The legs.
- The arms.
- The armpits.
- The cheeks.
- The scalp.
- The pubic area.
- The neck.
In the neck area, it is common to see ingrown hairs when you shave or wax frequently. These hairs bring negative consequences, especially in the neck area, since it is a delicate place and prone to generating many spots on the skin. Ingrown hairs cause scarring, infection, and darkening of the skin.
Like on the face, you can keep good care of your neck’s skin to avoid ingrown hairs and thus have a clean and smooth complexion. Proper grooming techniques should be considered when washing and shaving (or waxing) the neck area. It is very important that you carry out daily hygiene habits, as they can help you remove dirt and impurities from the neck.
We must bear in mind that certain people can easily confuse ingrown hairs on the neck with pimples.
How Do I Know that I Have Ingrown Hairs on My Neck?
If you feel small lumps of skin on your neck, avoid touching or removing them. Whether it is an ingrown hair or a pimple, it is not advisable to touch them, since they can generate infections or they can worsen.
They are ingrown hairs when:
- You feel itchy.
- You touch the lump, and you feel pain.
- Your skin darkens.
- There are small round solid bumps that turn red over time.
- Skin lesions such as pustules and pus-filled bumps appear.
You should wash the neck area every day, even more, if you have ingrown hair. That is because it is one of the parts of the human body that always tends to get dirty because of the sweat that the person generates daily in his body. The more dirt you have on your neck, the more likely it is for ingrown hair to become infected.
How Do I Avoid Ingrown Hairs on My Neck?
Whether you are a man or a woman, we recommend shaving or waxing carefully in the neck area. However, you should not shave the wrong way, because it can cause more ingrown hairs to grow on your skin and even lead to infections.
Ways to Properly Shave My Neck Area
If you want to prevent ingrown hair from appearing on your neck, you should simply modify your shaving habits:
Step 1
You have to keep your skin always moist and in good condition before shaving. It’s a good idea to shave while you shower, so your neck will be wet in each area, and you can easily remove hair.
It should be noted that if you shave the area of your neck when the hair is dry, it is very sure that you will suffer from irritations and have more ingrown hairs.
Step 2
Exfoliate your neck with products containing tretinoin, as it will help you remove dead skin cells.
Step 3
Use a shaving gel or cream on the neck area after you have washed well with soap and removed the dirt. Apply the cream a few minutes before shaving so that the hairs can soften.
It is important to mention that if you are allergic to shaving gel or cream, it is better to use fragrance-free and non-comedogenic.
Step 4
Make sure the razor you are going to use is a single blade. Normally when people shave, they tend to use the three-blade razors. That generally causes the hairs to grow short, thick, and sharp, creating more chances for ingrown hairs to appear on the skin.
The neck is a delicate area, so it is advisable to use a single blade razor so that the hairs do not remain short and very sharp.
Remember to shave the neck (or any part or area of the body) in the direction that the hair grows. Otherwise, there will be chances of many ingrown hairs appearing, and your skin will become irritated. Then proceed to shave to remove the hairs on your neck.
Step 5
When shaving your neck, be sure to run the razor blade once through the place you are going to remove the hair. Otherwise, if you repeatedly cut the same area, your skin will become irritated, and short, sharp hairs may remain. Always use a shaving gel or cream; it makes the shaving process more comfortable and easier.
Step 6
Do not forget that you should clean and wash the shaver after each shave removes residue from the cream and hair. However, shavers need to be replaced every five to seven shaves maximum.
Step 7
Rinse with soap and water after shaving your neck. Eliminate the remnants of gel and persistent hairs on your skin and make sure there are no more hairs to cut.