Red bumps after shaving, painful ingrown hairs along the bikini line, dark marks that never quite fade. If that sounds familiar, you're not alone, and it's one of the most common reasons clients come to see me. Here's why ingrown hairs happen, how laser hair removal can help, and how to look after your skin in the meantime.
Fewer hairs, fewer ingrowns
Ingrown hairs happen when a hair grows back into the skin after shaving or waxing. Laser hair removal reduces the number of hairs and makes regrowth finer, so there are fewer hairs to become trapped, and you can stop waxing and shave much less. Many clients notice far fewer bumps as their course goes on.
What causes ingrown hairs and razor bumps?
When a hair is cut or pulled, the new hair can grow back sideways or curl back into the skin instead of growing out. Your skin treats it like a splinter, causing a red, sometimes sore bump. Razor bumps are a cluster of these, often after shaving.
They're more common if you have:
- Coarse or curly hair, which is more likely to curl back into the skin
- Regular shaving or waxing, especially close shaving against the grain
- Friction from clothing, for example along the bikini line
- Hormonal hair on the chin, jawline or neck, which is often coarse
How laser hair removal helps
Fewer hairs to become trapped
Laser weakens the hair follicle, so over a course of sessions there are far fewer hairs growing back. Fewer hairs means fewer chances for one to grow into the skin.
Finer, softer regrowth
The hair that does grow back is usually finer and lighter, so it's less likely to curl back and irritate the skin.
No more waxing
During your course you only shave, and as your hair reduces you'll need to shave much less often. That means less irritation and fewer razor bumps.
Suitable for darker skin
Ingrown hairs and razor bumps are very common with darker skin and coarse, curly hair. Our Nd:YAG laser is well suited to all skin tones. Laser hair removal for dark skin
Myths and facts
"Waxing stops ingrown hairs"
Waxing can actually make them worse, as the new hair can grow back distorted and get trapped under the skin.
Laser treats the root, not just the surface
By weakening the follicle, laser reduces the hair growth that causes ingrown hairs in the first place.
"Laser removes dark marks"
Laser hair removal targets hair, not existing marks. But with fewer new bumps, your skin has the chance to settle and even out over time.
Results build up over a course
Most people need 6 to 10 sessions. Many notice fewer bumps after the first few. How many sessions will I need?
Areas where ingrown hairs are most common
Body
- Bikini line, Brazilian and Hollywood
- Underarms
- Legs, especially the thighs and knees
- Back and chest
Face and neck
- Chin and jawline
- Neck
- Upper lip
- Hormonal hair, for example with PCOS/PMOS
Ingrown hairs on the bikini line? Brazilian & Hollywood laser hair removal
Looking after your skin before and during your course
- 01Don't pick or squeeze ingrown hairs. It can cause infection and dark marks
- 02Exfoliate gently a couple of times a week to help hairs grow out
- 03Shave with a clean, sharp razor, in the direction of hair growth
- 04No waxing, plucking or epilating during your laser course
- 05Wear loose clothing after shaving and after each session
- 06Moisturise daily to keep the skin soft and supple
Good to know: I won't treat over broken, infected or very inflamed skin, so we'll work around any sore bumps and treat them once they've settled. If a bump is very painful, hot or spreading, please see your GP or pharmacist. Pre and post care guide
Frequently asked questions
Does laser hair removal get rid of ingrown hairs?
Laser reduces the hair growth that causes ingrown hairs. Over a course of sessions there are fewer, finer hairs, so most people get far fewer ingrown hairs and razor bumps.
Can you laser over ingrown hairs?
Laser can treat the area, but I won't treat over broken, infected or very inflamed skin. We'll work around any sore bumps and treat them once they've settled.
Does laser help razor bumps on dark skin?
Razor bumps are very common with darker skin and coarse, curly hair. Our Nd:YAG laser is well suited to darker skin tones, and reducing hair growth can significantly cut down on razor bumps.
Will laser remove the dark marks left by ingrown hairs?
Laser hair removal targets hair rather than existing marks. But with fewer new ingrown hairs, the skin has a chance to settle, and many marks gradually fade over time.
How many sessions will I need?
Most people need 6 to 10 sessions, spaced 4 to 8 weeks apart. Many clients notice fewer bumps after the first few sessions.
Say goodbye to razor bumps
Book a free consultation and patch test. I'll look at your skin and hair, talk through the areas that bother you most, and create a plan to help.
Luminier Laser Aesthetics is a private laser studio in Leighton Buzzard, welcoming clients from Linslade, Dunstable, Tring, Milton Keynes and Aylesbury.