Do Epilators Cause Ingrown Hairs?

Epilators are electric devices that remove unwanted hair by pulling out multiple strands at the same time. The smooth skin will last longer than other methods but because it yanks hairs out by the root, there's a higher chance that epilators can cause ingrown hairs.

Ingrown hairs occur below the skin as the hair strand emerges from the follicle. Sometimes hairs do not grow straight and instead, penetrate the surrounding tissue.

The natural defense of the body against ingrown hairs is to create pus- and blood-filled bumps that will eventually rupture. They are painful and unsightly and prevent further hair removal until the sores have burst and skin has healed.

These unsightly inflammations can be caused by any hair removal method but are more common when the hair root is also removed. Because epilators are so convenient and can be used frequently at home, using them more often increases your chances of an ingrown hair.

The good news is that with proper skin care and using good epilating tips, you can prevent these unsightly and uncomfortable bumps and continue to save money on hair removal.

Preventing Ingrown Hairs from Epilators

• Make sure to exfoliate regularly - Getting rid of dead skin cells will help remove excess layers which may affect the direction of hair growth. Every few days, even if not epilating, use a gentle loofah or bath sponge, or just a clean wash cloth, to scrub away the dead skin cells and to help keep the hairs pointing upwards.

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  Use a skin toner after epilating - A skin toner is a cleansing lotion that kills bacteria and helps to close the pores. Avoid using common hand soap as they can clog the pores and cause dry skin.

• Use a good moisturizing lotion - The goal is to prevent the skin from flaking which can cause change the direction of hair growth. Use a moisturizing lotion that is absorbed into the skin as opposed to sitting on top that will better help keep the top layers of the epidermis in good condition.

• Keep your skin taut when epilating - For some body parts, like the arms, legs and underarms, it's easy to keep the skin taut so the hairs can be more easily grasped by the epilator. Epilators for the face have smaller openings and adjustable speeds that make it easier on sensitive facial skin.

• Take care of your epilator - These devices may look similar in size and shape to electric shavers but they need to be treated with much more care. Prevent the rotating tweezers from getting bent or nicked otherwise they may grasp the hair incorrectly and cause hair breakage underneath the skin.

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  Clean your unit before use - Epilating leaves hair follicles empty and exposed to bacteria and fungus. An epilator that is occasionally cleansed with rubbing alcohol will prevent infections. Follow the manufacturer's direction to keep the unit clean an operational. Check out the Braun, Panasonic and Emjoi devices that are by far the most popular top epilators.

Similar to laser hair removal, hair epilation results in longer lasting, silky-smooth skin. To minimize the chances of getting ingrown hairs from an epilator, make sure to exfoliate, moisturize and follow good epilating tips.