It is a common problem: ingrown beard hairs. You can recognize an ingrown beard hair by an irritating red bump. The bump can itch and sometimes even become infected. Conclusion: you don't want this. Read on for tips on how to prevent and cure ingrown beard hairs.
Causes of ingrown beard hairs
The name says it all, but let's give some extra explanation: a beard hair should grow straight out of the hair follicle, but sometimes there is a stubborn hair in between that grows to the side. This is called an ingrown hair.
Often an ingrown beard hair is caused by shaving with a dull blade, against the direction of hair growth or without properly preparing the skin and beard for shaving. But did you know that an ingrown beard hair can also be caused by dead skin cells and clogged pores?
Preventing ingrown beard hairs
1. Use the right shaving tools : for the best shaving results, use a safety razor . You put a razor blade in it. These razor blades are razor-sharp, much sharper than a cartridge knife (which often also have 2, 4 or even 5 blades, with which you go over a piece of skin many times with one movement. And no, that is not positive). Replace the razor blade in the razor when it loses its sharpness.
2. Prepare the skin and beard for shaving : moisten your face with lukewarm to warm water, so that the hairs become more flexible. Then use a shaving cream , this is extremely suitable for shaving the beard: it makes the skin smooth and the hairs supple, because it does not foam you can see what you are doing, it protects and nourishes the skin and the beard hairs and prevents skin irritation. Let it soak in for a while and you are ready .
3. Shave in the direction of hair growth : if you shave against the direction of hair growth, you increase the chance of ingrown hairs. So look closely at the growth of your beard hairs and shave in the direction of hair growth.
4. Care for your beard and underlying skin : good care prevents clogged pores and the accumulation of dead skin cells. So clean your beard and the underlying skin well. Brush the beard daily with a firm brush and make sure the bristles touch the skin. This way you exfoliate the skin, remove dead skin cells, dirt and loose hairs. Massage your beard and the skin underneath daily with beard oil , this gives your beard the nutrition it needs and makes the hairs more supple, so that they are less likely to grow in.
How to solve ingrown beard hairs
With the tips above you can prevent ingrown beard hairs, but what if you already have one, how do you solve it? Good to know: if the ingrown hair is already infected, do not try to remove it. The infection must first heal. You can speed up this process by dabbing the area with a warm, damp towel and then gently scrubbing. Keep the area clean, you do not want to make the infection worse.
1. If you are going to remove the hair, hygiene is also very important. Therefore, first disinfect the ingrown hair with a cotton ball (or cotton swab) and some disinfectant.
2. Place a warm, damp towel on the area and hold it there for a few minutes, so that the skin and beard hair become a little softer and the pores open up.
3. Then wipe the ingrown hair with a cotton swab, against the direction of hair growth. Often the hair will come loose now and you can choose whether to remove it or not.
4. If the hair does not come up or you still want to remove it, use (disinfected) tweezers. Flip the hair up and gently pull it out of the skin.
5. Finally, dab some disinfectant on the spot again.
If the area does not heal within a few weeks or becomes inflamed (worse), consult a doctor or skin specialist.
