Ingrown Hairs and Laser Hair Removal: Complete Guide

If you typically get ingrown hairs after shaving or waxing, it makes sense if laser hair removal sounds attractive. One of the biggest benefits of laser is that it targets hair at the root, which helps eliminate ingrown hair. But when you first start your laser journey, ingrown hairs can also be part of the process. 

In this post, we’ll explain what causes ingrown hair in the first place, how lasers treat ingrowns, and why you might still get a few ingrowns after a laser hair removal session — especially at the beginning. Finally, we’ll explain what you can do to prevent or deal with ingrowns for smoother sailing. 

What Are Ingrown Hairs and What Causes Them? 

An ingrown hair is a hair that has curled in on itself, resulting in a bump at the surface of the skin. Ingrown hairs can affect anyone, but they’re more common in those with curly hair.

Ingrowns are a common side effect of non-permanent hair removal methods — especially shaving, but also waxing, tweezing, and epilating. Removing the hair disrupts the growth process, and creates an opportunity for hair to curl as it grows back. 

Trauma to the skin from the hair removal method may also play a part, causing irregular desquamation (i.e., natural shedding of dead skin) and excess skin buildup at the surface.

Ingrown hairs often get inflamed and uncomfortable, and attempting to extract them by yourself can lead to scarring. 

How Laser Hair Removal Gets Rid of Ingrown Hair

Laser hair removal gets rid of ingrown hair by reducing and eventually stopping future hair growth. It works by targeting the melanin in the root of the hair with a strong beam of light. The hair absorbs the light, which turns it to heat that damages the follicle and prevents any new hair from growing. 

Laser only works on hair in the active growth phase of the life cycle. That’s the time when the follicle is still connected to the blood supply and contains the most melanin. Because only some of your hairs are in that phase at the same time, it takes repeated laser treatments before you can effectively treat most hairs, and eliminate ingrown hairs once and for all. 

Getting Ingrown Hair From Laser Hair Removal

It’s quite common to get ingrown hair after your first few laser hair removal sessions. It can feel especially jarring if you weren’t shaving often before starting laser hair removal. 

The reason for ingrown hair after laser hair removal is simple — the laser doesn’t damage all hair follicles at once, so as new hairs move into the active growth phase, they can become ingrown. 

Additionally, about a week or two after you’ve been treated, the body starts to push out the damaged root of the hair, a process we sometimes call shedding. It’s not unheard of that, instead of shedding, the root of the hair becomes trapped under the skin. 

Treat and Prevent Ingrown Hairs From Laser Hair Removal

Your pre and post care laser hair removal instructions are set in place to help your skin recover in the best way, so follow them closely. Here are a few additional tips that’ll help specifically with ingrown prevention. 

Start With Gentle Skin Care

Immediately after your laser treatment, gentle recovery is key. For the first day, use only aloe vera to moisturize your skin. Avoid makeup, deodorant, and scented products. For 7 days, skip any harsh or resurfacing skincare products, and stick to a mild, hydrating skin or body care routine. 

For the entire duration of your treatment, keep your treated skin away from the sunlight (and use strong sunscreen if you do go out in the sun). 

Wear Loose, Comfy Clothing

Tight clothing may exacerbate the risk of ingrown hairs, as it can cause friction that irritates the skin and leads to inflammation.

Take a Shaving Break at First 

After getting laser hair removal, avoid shaving again for at least 7 days. Shaving so soon after treatment can irritate your skin. Because shaving cuts the hair slightly below the skin surface, it also increases the risk that hairs that grow back or get ready to shed will get blocked under the skin instead. 

It’s also best to avoid shaving while you have ingrown hairs, as the risk of cutting the skin is greater because of the bumps. 

Exfoliate Gently 

Once a week has passed and your skin has calmed down completely, you can exfoliate gently using something not too abrasive, like a soft brush, a muslin cloth, or even a mild chemical exfoliant. This will help remove dead skin, and prevent the buildup that traps shedding hairs. 

Creams or toners with 1-2% salicylic acid are excellent for treating ingrown hairs, as this acid has skin soothing properties and it can penetrate through oils to better exfoliate within the pores. 

If you have sensitive skin or you’re dealing with ingrowns on the face, fruit enzyme masks are an even gentler option. Make sure to stop using them again one week before your next laser hair removal session. 

Shave Correctly 

Once you return to shaving, here are a few tips to help prevent ingrowns: 

• Cleanse your skin with a mild cleansing agent first 
• Exfoliate lightly
• Use a creamy and gentle shaving cream or mousse
• Shave with the grain of the hair, not against it
• After shaving, apply a skin-soothing post-shave moisturizer

Tip: If you’re prone to ingrown hairs, consider using an electric shaver instead of a manual one. An electric shaver is less likely to cut hair below the surface, so while the shave is not as close, the risk of skin irritation and ingrown hairs is lower. 

Use a Warm Compress 

A warm compress or soaking in a warm bath can help soften the skin, which can help improve your exfoliation efforts and allow ingrown hairs to pop out more easily. You should avoid hot environments for 24-72 hours after laser hair removal, so a warm compress is useful initially for stubborn bumps. 

Try Cortisone Cream For Inflammation

If you’re already experiencing irritation or inflamed ingrown hairs, hydrocortisone creams are a safe short-term solution. These steroid-based creams help to reduce inflammation and discomfort quickly. They also prevent hyperproliferation of skin tissue, which may help prevent ingrown hairs. 

However, for this same reason, using topical steroids for too long can cause skin thinning, along with other complications. Our nurses at SEV recommend you don’t use them for longer than 7 days (and ideally, stop usage sooner), unless otherwise advised by your doctor. 

Stay Consistent 

Ultimately, the most effective long-term way to prevent ingrown hairs is to stay consistent with your laser hair removal treatments. With each session, more follicles are successfully treated, and over time you’ll notice a dramatic reduction in ingrown hairs.

In the beginning, we recommend following a 4×4 laser hair removal schedule, which means coming in every 4 weeks for your first 4 sessions. After that, your provider may adjust the timing based on your progress and individual needs.

It Might Not Be Ingrowns

Some post-laser bumpiness isn’t necessarily ingrown hairs. One of the most common and completely normal side effects of laser hair removal is perifollicular edema, a temporary inflammation that occurs around the treated follicles.

It often appears as a red, slightly bumpy rash with redness concentrated at the follicle openings. While it may look alarming, perifollicular edema is harmless. It often indicates an effective treatment (though it’s not required), and typically subsides on its own.

When to See a Doctor 

Ingrown hairs are usually harmless and will eventually work their way out with gentle exfoliation. However, if you notice any of the following symptoms, it may indicate an infection and should be evaluated by a medical professional:

• Significant swelling and redness
• Pain or tenderness 
• Excessive itching 
• Blistering or pus 

Bottom Line

With laser hair removal, you can finally put ingrown hairs behind you. While it isn’t an instant fix (and you may still experience a few ingrowns during your early sessions) consistent treatments lead to long-term relief.

A careful shave before each appointment helps minimize irritation, and timely exfoliation can both prevent and treat any ingrown hairs that do appear. Once you’ve completed your treatment series, you can look forward to smooth, ingrown-free skin.