I’ve been using a toothbrush on my face during every shower to free any ingrown hairs that might be developing. I usually just rub some some bar soap on my face as an exfoliant, but I’m curious if there’s some better. I was thinking of something like a scrub with those little pieces of grit. What do you guys use?
What can I use as an exfoliant for ingrown hairs?
- Thread starter Junboy
- Start date
Scrubbing your face with a toothbrush may be contributing to the ingrown hairs as the follicle becomes agitated and potentially infected. Facial scrubs/washes with salicylic acid (or even just outright salicylic acid) have been the most effective in my experience. Slower process but effective. Essentially any skin-care based chemical exfoliant. If you need to use a physical one, look into making a sugar/charcoal scrub. Physically exfoliating everyday is really bad for your skin.
Stop. Less is more.
You’re aggravating the issue by constantly removing the protective layer of your skin.
You’re aggravating the issue by constantly removing the protective layer of your skin.
I used St. Ives Apricot Scrub and The Real Shaving Company Facial Scrub, in the past.
I used the facial scrubs to release trapped hair, not for ingrown hair. I do not know how effective a facial scrub would be against ingrown hair.
As others said it, you should stop using the toothbrush on your face.
I used the facial scrubs to release trapped hair, not for ingrown hair. I do not know how effective a facial scrub would be against ingrown hair.
As others said it, you should stop using the toothbrush on your face.
Proraso face scrub is great, for a periodic exfoliation.
As others have mentioned go easy on your face -- daily exfoliation or harsh brush scrubbing is terrible for the skin.
As others have mentioned go easy on your face -- daily exfoliation or harsh brush scrubbing is terrible for the skin.
I use Stridex Maximum Strength pads (5% salysilic acid) twice per day to keep ingrown hairs at bay. Seems to be working great.
If the 5% solution is too drying, you could opt for the "Sensitive" version.
If the 5% solution is too drying, you could opt for the "Sensitive" version.
This works great . Formulated for hair bumps . Ad is from Sally Beauty Supply but many drug stores sell it .
I'll go in another direction, based on my experiences. (Anybody surprised? I didn't think so...)
I'm finding that the less there is between me and the blade, the less I get irritation and other unpleasantnesses. In other words, my skin is in great shape now after using shavettes and other naked edges for a while. Might be something to explore.
O.H.
I'm finding that the less there is between me and the blade, the less I get irritation and other unpleasantnesses. In other words, my skin is in great shape now after using shavettes and other naked edges for a while. Might be something to explore.
O.H.
As mentioned above, scrubbing too much would probably exacerbate the issue. I use Mario Badescu Glycolic Foaming cleanser daily. Highly recommend.
No1Up
Beet her to it!
I stopped getting ingrown hairs after watching Shane’s (blackland razors) YouTube video on going back to the basics. I stopped using mild razors and went with a highly efficient razor. Stopped my ingrown hair problem I’ve had all my life. Don’t be scared of efficient “aggressive” razors. It might just be what the doctor ordered!
Look for a gentle face scrub with natural particles (like finely ground walnut shells, jojoba beads, or rice powder). These can give a little extra grit without being too abrasive.
I like Yardley's Oatmeal and Almond soap. Cleans, smells good. Also, doubles as a fair shave soap because it evidently has some tallow in it.
O.H.
also was a fan when I could get it. Kirk's castile bars are keeping me happy now. probably could shave with it better than Dr. B's liquid, even if I haven't tried it yet.
When you are prone to ingrown hairs,…what do you want to focus on immediately after shaving? Reducing inflammation? Unclogging pores? Hydration? Which actives or products would be beneficial in what order?
After shaving I normally rub the extra lather from the bowl on my face and leave on while I clean my brush, razor, etc. Then apply alum block, wash off with cold water. Apply Tend skin for ingrown hairs. Applied for the first time, Thayers Cleansing Blemish Toner, which contains 2% Salicylic Acid and I believe this is too exfoliating immediately after shaving?! Any suggestions are appreciated
After shaving I normally rub the extra lather from the bowl on my face and leave on while I clean my brush, razor, etc. Then apply alum block, wash off with cold water. Apply Tend skin for ingrown hairs. Applied for the first time, Thayers Cleansing Blemish Toner, which contains 2% Salicylic Acid and I believe this is too exfoliating immediately after shaving?! Any suggestions are appreciated
When I get an INGROWN, or what I call WILD HAIR, where TWO Hairs are going out of one Hair Follicle, (One Thick & Dark, the other Normal).
I hit area with Hydrogen on Q-Tip, Identify the problem hair with Tweezer. The Ingrown, or Wild Normally hurts like hell on fire when Tweezer hits the right hair..
Next step is pulling the unwanted hair out slowly so a to get root. Then I hit the are again with provide, and all is well.
I hit area with Hydrogen on Q-Tip, Identify the problem hair with Tweezer. The Ingrown, or Wild Normally hurts like hell on fire when Tweezer hits the right hair..
Next step is pulling the unwanted hair out slowly so a to get root. Then I hit the are again with provide, and all is well.
Ingrown hairs are not a personal problem for me. But I remember a fellow soldier of African persuasion in Basic who had a "shaving profile" due to ingrown hairs.
In uniform, he was quite a sight with that beard. But at one point I recall a Drill Sergeant confronting him in the noisy manner that is their custom.
"Get a brush, Private! Get a brush!"
By which I think he meant something like that.
But that is where my understanding of the problem ends...
In uniform, he was quite a sight with that beard. But at one point I recall a Drill Sergeant confronting him in the noisy manner that is their custom.
"Get a brush, Private! Get a brush!"
By which I think he meant something like that.
But that is where my understanding of the problem ends...
Your poor face - Oh my goodness - been damaged a bit so I would not exfoliate at all and let it rest and heal.
I`d make sure to drink as much pure water as possible - high quality spring water or ancient glacial water is ideal or good filtered fluoride-free tap water.
Use as simple soaps as possible with a handful of ingredients like hand made 70% minimum pure olive oil soap from Marseille, Aleppo or Nablus or get a good coconut oil soap with no palm oil in it.
Eat a balanced diet without too much polyunsaturated fats, too many processed carbohydrates any oily fish, organic grass fed beef or lamb, raw milk, unpasteurised cheese, raw Greek yogurt, any wild fresh berries, raw organic whole nuts and seeds, fruit and vegetables from an allotment with no chemical fertilisers, herbicides and pesticides in it.
Curries, simple stews and casseroles and home-made soups and bone broths are excellent as are smoothies.
Get as much sunshine and fresh air as possible and walk, dance, cycle, do DO it YOURSELF tasks and swim so you get breathless for 15-30 minutes a day minimum.
After exerting, breathing exercises, yoga, meditation and massage is brilliant.
If you do smoke, try and cut down and a good vodka and organic red wine in moderation is excellent.
Try and cut down on coffee because a single cup raises the stress hormone, cortisol for three days - drink whole fruit-juice, spring water, herbal teas, whole leaf black and green teas.
Your heart is a muscle ; it needs exercise so use stairs and walk and cycle uphill whenever possible.
As for razors get a good adjustable and use sharp blades once or twice to avoid irritation.
If your skin is dry use a simple coconut, almond oil or olive oil moisturiser and the best of luck to you Junboy.
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