You want to be thinking beach, barbecues, and breeze in the summer, not bumps, breakouts, and bikini line drama.

So, if smooth skin is on your summer wish list, keep reading.

Ingrown hairs are more common than you think. They can come from shaving, waxing, laser hair removal, depilatory creams, and even tight clothing.

Basically, no one is safe from these little red bumps.

Why Do Ingrown Hairs Happen?

When you remove hair, you're essentially changing how it behaves:

• Blunting the ends
• Making it finer or coarser
• Altering its regrowth direction

Even when hair naturally falls out, the same issues can happen. Whether your hair is thick and coarse or fine and thin, its texture plays a big role in whether it grows sideways or curls back into the skin.

The result? Red, sore, itchy bumps that sit just under the surface.

How to Spot an Ingrown Hair

Ingrown hairs are often confused with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), a skin condition involving deep, painful lumps.

Look for these ingrown hair signs:

• Sore, red, or inflamed bumps
• A visible hair trapped under the skin
• Itching or pain
• Discoloration (especially on darker skin tones)
• Warmth or discomfort in the area
• Pus-filled whiteheads (in more severe cases)

Anywhere with a hair follicle is fair game: legs, underarms, bikini line, pubic area, chest, and more.

HS, on the other hand, involves deeper lesions that may drain pus or blood and are more chronic in nature.

What Not to Do with Ingrown Hairs

We get it, they’re annoying, even embarrassing. But there are a few things you should really avoid:

• Picking or plucking: This can introduce bacteria, increase inflammation, and cause scarring
• Shaving or waxing over irritated skin: It can make things worse
• Using dull razors: They tug at hair and increase the chance of ingrown hairs. 
• Wearing tight clothing: It traps heat and moisture, causing friction
• Excess moisture: This encourages bacterial growth

Popping or picking might feel satisfying, but it often leads to more damage than healing, it only takes one or two reddit posts to realise it.

For chronic or recurring ingrown hairs, it’s best to consult a professional to avoid long-term problems.

Your 4-Step Ingrown Hair Plan: Prevent, Reduce, and Treat

1. Warm compresses (Treat)

Apply to the affected area to soften the skin, reduce inflammation, and open pores so the hair can surface. This should be done for 10-15 minutes to soften the skin and open the pores, up to 2-3 times per day. 

Yes, the same remedy your mum used on sore muscles works here too.

2. Anti-inflammatory foods (Reduce)

Eating antioxidant-rich fruits and veggies helps your skin heal naturally.

Less inflammation = less irritation.

3. Exfoliation (Prevent)

Use a sugar scrub 1–2 times a week to prevent hairs from getting trapped.

Try one of the six Lycon Sugar Scrubs:

1. Apply in circular motions
2. Massage gently
3. Rinse with warm water

Scents to choose from:

Apple & Cranberry, Coconut & Vanilla, Lavender & Chamomile, Mango & Guava, Pink Grapefruit, and Pomegranate

4. Deep exfoliation with salicylic acid (Prevent)

Salicylic acid (a BHA) works below the surface to:

• Unclog pores
• Reduce swelling
• Speed up healing
• These can be used daily

Haven’t read our blog “Salicylic Acid: Your Secret Weapon Against Ingrown Hairs”?

Check it out to learn more about this powerhouse ingredient.

Your Lycon Ingrown Essentials:

All products contain salicylic acid for deep exfoliation.

Ingrown X-It Foaming Gel Wash

Use daily or add to your bath to gently cleanse and treat skin.

Ingrown X-It Spray

Apply after shaving or waxing.

It exfoliates and soothes with arnica and allantoin.

Ingrown X-It Wipes + Cream

Great for on-the-go relief and targeted treatment.

They reduce redness and prevent buildup between hair removal sessions.

These steps will help you achieve a bump-free summer!

For the best results, try to consistently follow all four steps. But even incorporating just one or two into your routine can go a long way toward smoother, clearer skin.

Common Ingrown Hair FAQs:

Should I pop an ingrown hair?

No, popping can worsen ingrown issues by leading to infection or scarring. Instead, follow the safe solutions for ingrowns outlined in our 4-step ingrown hair plan.

Only gently lift a visible loop, that is not deep with sterilized tweezers — never dig into your skin.

What is an ingrown hair?

It’s when a hair grows back into the skin instead of rising out, commonly after shaving, waxing, or using depilatory creams. They’re itchy, inflamed, and often appear on legs, underarms, face, or pubic area.

Also called razor bumps or shave bumps.

What causes ingrown hairs?

• Shaving too closely
• Dull razors
• Waxing, creams, or laser hair removal
• Hair breaking unevenly
• Dead skin buildup
• Naturally curly or coarse hair types

What do ingrown hairs look like?

They appear as red, raised, itchy bumps. You might see trapped hair just under the surface. If infected, they may contain pus and feel warm to the touch.

How do you get rid of ingrown hairs?

1. Use a warm compress for 10-15minutes, 2-3 times a day to draw out the hair 
2. Exfoliate 1-2 times a week
3. Apply salicylic acid daily following the guidance on percentages  in our blog “Salicylic Acid: Your Secret Weapon Against Ingrown Hairs”
4. Eat an anti-inflammatory diet