Ingrown beard hairs – causes & valuable tips
Whether they're just visually annoying or even painful, no one wants ingrown hairs – especially not on their face. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to prevent them, as well as immediate remedies if you find one or more ingrown hairs despite taking preventative measures. Here you'll learn exactly what you can do, what you should pay particular attention to, why beard hairs grow in in the first place, and what immediate solutions there are for removing ingrown hairs.
How to: How to get rid of ingrown beard hairs
In our video we give you tips on how to prevent ingrown beard hairs.
How do ingrown beard hairs develop? The 3 most common causes
1. Incorrect shaving
If your razor blades aren't sharp enough, your beard won't be cut precisely enough, making it harder for it to grow straight back in. Even with a sharp blade, ingrown hairs can still occur. After shaving, the beard hair has a wider, sharper edge and can no longer penetrate its intended channel as easily, or it simply grows back. System razors with multiple blades, in particular, often cut the hair just below the skin's surface. While this creates a super smooth finish, it also makes it easier for the hair to grow in.
2. No or incorrect pre- and after-shave routine
In the article "Razor Burn," we already discussed the importance of a good pre- and after-shave routine. Dead skin cells, excess sebum, and the resulting clogged pores block the hair follicles, preventing new or cut hair from growing as intended.
3. Curly beard hair
As beautiful as curly hair is, it grows in very easily. Due to the hair structure, your beard hair can curl too early or grow in the wrong direction.
In all of these cases, the hair remains beneath the skin's surface, growing in coils or making a U-turn. Your body then perceives it as a foreign body and sends white blood cells to it. Gradually, the familiar pimple-like bump forms, which can easily become infected and sometimes even be quite painful. Your body will eventually shed the encapsulated hair on its own, but you can help it a little.
Removing ingrown beard hair – what can you do?
So, enough discussion of the problem and possible causes. So, what can you do to get rid of ingrown facial hairs? We'll get to prevention later, but first, let's look at some acute home remedies:
#1: Open pores
Soften the affected area with a warm washcloth or a steam bath, preferably several times a day. This is often enough, and your beard hair will find its way back to normal.
#2: Exfoliation
With a gentle scrub, like our Clay Wash Gel, you can try to expose the beard hair and the growth canal and bring it to the surface.
#3: Special creams
If your hair is still under your skin, there are special creams for ingrown hairs. Feel free to ask your dermatologist or pharmacist about this.
#4: Tweezers
Still ingrown? Then carefully remove the beard hair with sterile tweezers or a needle. If it doesn't fall out on its own, leave it alone for a while, otherwise the next one might grow right back in. Also disinfect the skin to prevent infection.
Has your beard hair already become inflamed?
If your beard hair and the affected skin area are already slightly inflamed, you can also get an antibiotic cream prescribed. In cases of more severe inflammation, the dermatologist can help remove the beard hair and recommend the appropriate aftercare.
Just like with pimples, squeezing them with your hands is taboo. Why? You can encourage or even cause inflammation. Especially if there's already mild to moderate inflammation, it's better to have your dermatologist take care of it, not you.
How can I prevent ingrown hairs? – The 3 best tips
With these 3 tips, your beard hair won't grow in so quickly:
Tip #1: Shave with sharp blades
Always make sure your blades are sharp . If you frequently suffer from ingrown hairs, try using a razor with fewer than three blades or even a safety razor . As mentioned above, razors with multiple blades cut the hair (too) short, thus encouraging ingrown hairs.
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If you choose a safety razor , not only your skin but also the environment will thank you! Depending on your beard length and the desired result, you can forego a close shave and trim your beard properly for now. Three-day , After all, upper lip , goatee or full beard are still totally trendy .
Tip #2: Pre- and after-shave routine
Develop a pre- and after-shave routine. Use a few high-quality products, and your skin and beard will thank you!
Pre-shave:
a) Wash your face with warm water and your beard with beard soap 2-3 times a week . This will free your skin of dirt, sebum, and sweat, making it less prone to pimples and inflammation.
b) Massage in a few pumps of a gentle scrub and rinse thoroughly. This will remove dead skin cells, open clogged pores and hair ducts, and rid your skin of excess sebum.
c) Extra tip: Dampen a towel with hot water and place it on your face and beard for a few minutes. This perfectly prepares your skin and hair for shaving and also has a spa-like effect.
Aftershave:
a) Thoroughly remove all shaving residue such as shaving cream or hair.
b) Use an aftershave spray or, if you have sensitive skin, an aftershave balm. The antibacterial and nourishing effect soothes irritated skin after shaving and prevents inflammation.
c) Develop a daily facial and beard care routine. This includes washing with water, using a good beard oil (or, for example, a 2-in-1 beard and face cream if you shave clean) , and regularly exfoliating gently.
Tip #3: The shave itself
If you have longer beard hairs, trim them first, for example with our Brooklyn Blade , before you start shaving. Whether you use wet or dry shaving is up to you, but be sure to consider your skin type. In this article, we'll go into more detail and provide step-by-step instructions for both shaving methods and which one is best for each skin type: Shaving your beard: 3 steps to a perfect shave.
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Just like with your pre- and after-shave routine, there are some tips here to help prevent razor burn and ingrown hairs. High-quality products play a role here, too. For example, our shaving soap is not only great for the environment, but also better for your skin and hair. This softens the hair, preventing skin irritation and ingrown hairs.
Your facial care routine
Wait a minute, what does your facial care have to do with your beard?! A lot. That's why you shouldn't neglect it. Beard and facial care go hand in hand and can therefore be perfectly combined. As you've probably noticed, the top layer of skin plays a major role in ingrown hairs, so it makes sense that you should address this as well. We have an article with valuable tips, an optimal routine, and product suggestions: Men's Facial Care: This is the Perfect Routine
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How do you prevent ingrown hairs? Do you have a tip that you consider a perfect routine? We'd love to hear from you on Instagram and Facebook .
Your Brooklyn Soap Academy
Discover more beard care tips in our Academy
Beard care: Why and how to best care for your beard
Tips for a well-groomed 3-day beard: trimming, contouring and softening the beard
Beard ringworm – causes, symptoms, treatment & prevention
Growing a beard: A full beard in 12 weeks
Dandruff in the beard – How to recognize it and get rid of it
Shaving your beard: 3 steps to a perfect shave