How to Stop Hair From Itching When Growing
Whether you shave your legs, bikini line, face or head, hair growing back in can be maddeningly itchy. Shaving irritates and dries out the skin, and sometimes when the freshly shaved hair grows back it can become ingrown, building up in a coil just under the skin's surface and forming a painful red bump. Proper shaving techniques and plenty of moisturizer go a long way in keeping your skin soft and itch-free.
A young woman is shaving her legs. (Image: Alliance/iStock/Getty Images)Step 1
Keep your body hydrated from the inside out by drinking several glasses of water every day. Limit your intake of alcohol and caffeine, and be sure to drink more water when you do indulge.
Step 2
Use a moisturizing soap, or a shaving cream or gel when shaving. These products will add moisture to your skin and will soften the hair, making it easier to cut cleanly with a razor.
Step 3
Wash and rinse the area well after shaving to remove any hair, soap or shaving cream residue.
Step 4
Change or sharpen the blade in your razor often. A sharp edge makes a cleaner cut, which is less likely to irritate your skin.
Step 5
Shave with the grain of the hair. This method is gentler on your skin, although you won't get as smooth a shave.
Step 6
Switch to an electric razor. Some people find that electric razors provide a clean shave with less irritation than shaving with a blade.
Step 7
Try waxing or sugaring to remove unwanted body hair. It lasts longer than shaving, and many people experience fewer ingrown hairs or other redness or irritation.
Step 8
Apply a gentle moisturizer, such as aloe vera gel or baby oil, to the area after shaving. Use the moisturizer once or twice a day, or as needed to combat itchiness. You can also use a lotion or salve to moisturize your skin, but make sure the product is one that won't clog your pores, which could leave your skin even more irritated than when you started.
Things You'll Need
Moisturizing soap, shaving cream or shaving gel
Electric razor
Aloe vera
Baby oil
Lotion or salve
Tip
If shaving irritates your skin no matter what you do, consider permanent hair removal, such as electrolysis. You could also simply stop shaving. Many people find a natural look attractive, whether it's on women's legs or men's faces.
Warning
Talk to your doctor if your skin or scalp itches even when you are not shaving, or if you experience any unexplained rash. You may have an allergy or other condition will benefit from medical treatment.
