How to prevent and get rid of ingrown hairs, according to experts

What causes ingrown hairs?

“Ingrown hairs are caused by hair removal,” says Amy Peterson, medical aesthetician and founder of Miami medspa Skincare by Amy Peterson. While she says that any type of hair removal (except for laser hair removal, since that eliminates the hair follicle altogether) can cause ingrown hairs, shaving is the most common culprit. “Incorrect shaving techniques are especially prone to causing ingrown hairs,” Peterson warns.

Robinson agrees, noting that skin irritation and inflammation from aggressive shaving, known as razor burn, can also accompany ingrown hairs.

After hair removal, dead skin cells can block the hair follicle, causing the hair to grown inwards.