Ingrown hairs occur when a hair that has been removed starts to grow back and curves into the skin, causing inflammation. The following are some of the causes of ingrown hairs:
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Shaving, tweezing, or waxing: These hair removal methods can cause ingrown hairs. When hair is cut, it can grow back into the skin, especially if the hair is thick, curly, or coarse.
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Curly hair: Curly hair is more likely to bend back and re-enter the skin, especially after its been shaved or cut.
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Dead skin: Dead skin can clog the hair follicle, causing the hair to grow under the skin or re-enter its follicle or one nearby. The hair then grows inward instead of pushing through the surface of the skin.
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Pulling the skin when shaving: This action causes hair to draw back into the skin.
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Tweezing: When a hair penetrates your skin, your skin reacts as it would to a foreign body — it becomes irritated.
The risk of developing ingrown hairs is higher if you have tightly curled hair, skin of color, or thick, coarse, or curly hair.
