Hair removal often comes with a range of irritations that can threaten your smooth, hairless skin. This guide covers everything you need to know about hair removal irritations, their solutions, and prevention—just in time for a hairless summer.
Common Hair Removal Problems and How to Solve Them
Itchy Regrowth
Itchy regrowth after shaving or waxing can be incredibly annoying, but it's simple to address. Our body hair grows in different directions, and shaving straight across can leave one side of the hair sharper. When hair regrows, these sharp ends can cause itchiness, especially on coarse hair like legs and bikini lines.
The problem often stems from multi-blade razors, which lift and cut hair below the skin level, leaving sharp ends. To avoid this, let warm water soften your hair, use a dedicated shaving cream or oil, and shave with a single-blade razor in the direction of hair growth. This results in a smooth shave, soft skin, and no more itchy regrowth!
Dark Spots or Strawberry Legs
If your legs are covered in dark spots after shaving, you've experienced strawberry legs. These spots are clogged pores, similar to blackheads, caused by sebum, dead skin, dirt, or bacteria.
To combat this, dry brushing a couple of times a week can exfoliate dead skin cells, increase circulation, and stimulate lymph drainage. Regular exfoliation, 2 to 3 times per week, helps with razor burns and ingrown hairs too. Our body scrub is a multi-action exfoliant that brightens dull skin and purifies follicles.
Proper shaving technique is crucial. Use a clean, sharp razor, soften hair with warm water and shaving cream, and avoid going over the same area too many times. Moisturising regularly prevents clogged pores by balancing oil production and reducing dryness.
Avoid fake tanning immediately after hair removal, as open pores can become clogged. Wait a few hours or do your shower routine the night before tanning.
Razor Burn
Razor burn, a red rash after shaving, can be tender, itchy, and bumpy. While it usually resolves on its own, you can speed up recovery with aloe vera, which soothes burns, or coconut oil, known for its anti-inflammatory properties.
Our Daily Treatment Oil is an antioxidant-rich blend of plant-based oils that soothe, nourish, and hydrate skin, reducing razor burn. It includes:
- Jojoba and Grapeseed oils to nourish and protect the skin's lipid barrier.
- Papain from Papaya seed oil to dissolve dead cells.
- Lemon, Tea Tree, and Peppermint to cleanse follicles and prevent ingrown hairs.
- Lavender, Benzoin, and Vitamin E to soothe redness and inflammation.
Before shaving, dampen your skin with a warm flannel to open pores and apply shaving cream or oil for a smooth glide.
Ingrown Hairs and Shaving Bumps
Ingrown hairs occur when hair grows back into the skin, while shaving bumps happen when hair grows out and back into the skin. These issues can result from hair removal methods or dead skin build-up.
Prevent ingrown hairs by exfoliating to remove dead skin, moisturising to prevent dryness, and choosing the right hair removal method. Sign up for our newsletter to receive a free eBook on ingrown hair and hair removal for smooth skin all year long.
Meet Folli Oil
Folli Oil is a natural, cruelty-free, vegan skincare range that truly works. Using the finest, ethically sourced, sustainable plant-based ingredients, our products are handcrafted in small batches at our studio in the beautiful Cotswolds. We test on willing humans, not animals, and our packaging is recyclable. Experience the Folli Oil difference and shop now.