Which hair removal method can cause ingrown hairs?

Shaving can lead to ingrown hairs because it cuts hair at an angle, which may create sharp edges on the hair shafts. When the hair grows back, these sharp edges can curl back into the skin, rather than growing outward, resulting in ingrown hairs. This is particularly common in areas where the hair is coarse or curly.

The risk of ingrown hairs is heightened if the shaving process involves dry shaving or using dull blades, which can cause irritation and make the hair removal less effective, increasing the likelihood that the hair will not emerge straight through the skin. Proper techniques, such as shaving in the direction of hair growth and moisturizing the skin before and after shaving, can help mitigate this risk, but it remains a common issue associated specifically with shaving.

In contrast, other methods like waxing and epilating usually remove hair from the root, which can reduce the occurrence of ingrown hairs as the new hair typically grows back more smoothly. Laser hair removal works by targeting hair follicles, leading to permanent reduction in hair growth and further minimizing the chances of ingrown hairs.