Dermatologist shares simple method to remove ingrown hairs and razor bumps (2025)

If you shave, you'll likely be familiar with the pain of razor bumps and ingrown hairs - but a dermatologist has shared three simple methods to remove them

Shaving can certainly be a nuisance with the risk of leaving behind pesky razor bumps and ingrown hairs, but you don't have to put up with it. Many who choose to shave off their body hair are all too familiar with the discomfort of bumpy skin on their legs or underarms.

Razor bumps are caused by ingrown hairs. They occur when shaved hair grows back into the skin instead of up and outwards, causing irritation. This issue can arise from shaving, waxing, or plucking, as new skin cells may grow over the hair follicle, trapping it underneath and resulting in a bump.

While there's no instant solution for eliminating razor bumps, one dermatologist suggests there are ways to gradually get rid of them or at least make them easier to handle.

Doctor Neera Nathan, a Harvard-trained dermatologist and skin cancer surgeon, has taken to TikTok to reveal three tips for tackling razor bumps.

1. Use glycolic acid

As a primary tip, Dr Neera advises using glycolic acid two to three times weekly on freshly shaved areas. She touts this skincare product as "that girl" when it comes to gently exfoliating dead skin and unclogging pores, potentially preventing the entrapment of regrowing hairs.

She said: "Just pour it on a cotton pad and apply it to areas you shave 2-3 times per week to exfoliate and loosen trapped hairs and brighten dark marks that ingrowns leave behind."

2. Use an acne wash

For those plagued by razor burn, Dr Neera has a nifty tip: use a facial acne product "as a body wash" before shaving. Specifically, she endorses the use of PanOxyl although any similar face wash aimed at fighting acne could be beneficial.

The expert added: "Use PanOxyl as a body wash before shaving to soften hairs and decrease that skin bacteria that causes those irritated bumps."

3. Use hydrocolloid pads

In dealing with inflamed ingrown hairs, Dr Neera suggests turning to a remedy generally reserved for blisters: hydrocolloid dressings. These ingredients are also in pimple patches but can be pricier, especially when a larger area needs coverage. Therefore, she recommends using hydrocolloid plasters that can be trimmed to the desired size.

She explained: "Make a DIY ingrown hair patch using hydrocolloid pads from the drugstore. Cut it to size and apply it to your ingrown to draw out pus and trapped hair with less scarring."

How to reduce ingrown hairs

Several natural methods are available to prevent the formation of ingrown hairs. One approach might be to temporarily refrain from shaving to allow razor bumps to heal and vanish naturally within three months. However, if ceasing shaving isn't feasible, other strategies can also be effective.

Gently exfoliating the skin with a skincare brush can help eliminate dead skin cells and debris that block the pores. This process can also guide hair growth in one direction, reducing the likelihood of ingrown hairs.

You might also consider using a warm flannel to soften the skin and coax out ingrown hairs. This method could be particularly effective when paired with brushing, and can also be achieved with the steam from a hot shower or sauna.

If you continue to battle with razor bumps and ingrown hairs, opting for a hair removal cream could be an alternative solution less prone to causing bumps. However, these products contain chemicals that may irritate the skin and should be avoided if your skin is already inflamed or sensitive.

If you have an extremely painful or swollen ingrown hair or a high temperature, you may need to consult a GP.

For more information on ingrown hairs, visit the NHS website.