Why do I have so many ingrown hairs on my legs?

Author: Ms. Eda Pollich DDS  |  Last update: Friday, January 2, 2026

If you shave or wax your legs, the hair may grow back incorrectly. If hairs are trapped under the skin, they cause inflammation and tiny bumps. This condition may be painful and itchy. Ingrown hairs usually resolve on their own without specific treatment.

How do I get rid of ingrown hairs on my legs?

Shave in the direction of hair growth. Rinse the blade after each stroke. Release visible ingrown hairs by inserting a sterile needle under each hair loop and gently lifting the tip that has grown back into the skin. Rinse your skin and apply a cool, wet cloth for a few minutes.

What causes excessive ingrown hairs?

Hair structure and direction of growth play a role in ingrown hair. A curved hair follicle, which produces tightly curled hair, is believed to encourage the hair to reenter the skin once the hair is cut and starts to grow back. Shaving creates a sharp edge on hair, making it easier to pierce the skin.

How to stop picking ingrown hairs on legs?

Do
  1. wet your skin with warm water and use shaving gel.
  2. shave in the direction the hairs are growing.
  3. use as few strokes of the razor as possible.
  4. rinse the razor after every stroke.
  5. hold a cool, wet cloth to your skin after shaving to reduce irritation.
  6. use an exfoliating scrub to help release any trapped hairs.

Why do I have so many ingrown hairs on my legs after shaving?

Removing hair by shaving, waxing or tweezing can cause ingrown hairs. New hairs grow from hair follicles under your skin. Shaving, waxing and tweezing only remove hair strands — they don't remove hair follicles. When new hair grows, it may curl back and enter your skin.

What Are Ingrown Hairs — And How To Treat Them

What does folliculitis look like on legs?

Folliculitis signs and symptoms include: Clusters of small bumps or pimples around hair follicles. Pus-filled blisters that break open and crust over. Itchy, burning skin.

How to fix strawberry legs?

Strawberry Skin Treatment
  1. Moisturize with a cream or ointment instead of a lighter lotion. ...
  2. Exfoliate with a clean washcloth, loofah, or body scrub. ...
  3. Apply products with salicylic acid. ...
  4. Use mild, unscented bath products that won't further irritate your skin.

Why do my legs still look hairy after I shave?

It just seems like the hairs are thicker after shaving or removing them because the top part of the new hair has to push through your skin's surface as they grow back.

Can Nair remove ingrown hairs?

Removes hair and stubble Our iconic hair removal formula dissolves hair below the skin's surface, banishing stubble, minimizing regrowth and keeping you smooth for longer. No ingrown hairs or razor bumps Treat your tender areas with a little tender loving care.

Is picking at ingrown hairs bad?

If possible, you should leave ingrown hairs for a while as they may disappear without you having to do anything. Other things you can do to help with ingrown hairs includes: not picking or scratching an ingrown hair as bacteria can enter the small wound created, increasing your risk of infection and can cause scarring.

Is it normal to have a lot of ingrown hairs down there?

Ingrown pubic hairs are a common problem, especially if you shave, wax or pluck your pubic area. Fortunately, there are some things you can do at home to help clear them up.

How to get rid of folliculitis on legs?

Try one of the many infection-fighting lotions, gels and washes that are available in stores without a prescription. Apply a soothing lotion or cream. Try relieving itchy skin with a soothing lotion or a nonprescription-strength hydrocortisone cream. Clean the affected skin.

Why is it itchy when hair grows back after shaving?

The method of hair removal you use can have an impact on how much irritation you feel while your hair is regrowing. Shaving, for instance, can cause micro-abrasions in the skin — you might know this as razor burn — which can lead to irritation when the hair starts growing back.

Why am I getting so many ingrown hairs all of a sudden?

Removing hair makes it more likely to grow back into the skin. Ingrown hairs can also be caused by wearing tight clothes that force hair to grow back into your skin. You are also more likely to get ingrown hairs if you have very curly or coarse hair.

How often can you use Nair?

How often can I use Nair™ hair removal cream? You can use Nair hair removal cream, masks, bladeless shave, or glide-on products every 3 days (72 hours), as needed to remove hair and stubble. Always patch-test before use, since your skin is a living organ that changes day-to-day!

What is the best thing for ingrown hairs?

How do you treat ingrown hairs? Chemical exfoliators like glycolic or salicylic acid are very useful in treating ingrown hairs in your armpits, around your pubic area, and all over the rest of your body as well.

Is it better to use Nair or shave?

The smooth, hair-free skin achieved with Nair™ products lasts days longer than shaving, because Nair™ hair removal creams chemically remove hair below the skin's surface. Shaving physically removes it just above the surface. For even longer lasting results, try Nair™ waxes. The results can last up to 4 weeks.

Will an ingrown hair eventually grow out?

Experts recommend you stop shaving, tweezing, plucking, or waxing the area where you have ingrown hairs because they usually go away on their own in a couple of weeks. Severe cases may take several weeks. Trying to remove them can sometimes interfere with the healing process and cause them to last longer.

How to fix ingrown hair on legs?

Getting rid of an ingrown hair
  1. Wash the area with mild soap and warm water. ...
  2. Apply a warm, wet washcloth over the ingrown hair. ...
  3. Hold the washcloth in place for 1 minute, then remove it.
  4. Using a sterilized needle or tweezers, gently tease out the rest of the hair.

What causes strawberry legs?

Strawberry legs occur when enlarged pores or hair follicles trap dead skin, oil, and bacteria. A person often experiences strawberry legs following shaving. Other skin conditions that can cause strawberry legs include clogged pores, folliculitis, dry skin, and keratosis pilaris.

How to get smooth legs?

How to get smooth skin on your legs
  1. Moisturise often, but pick your moment. Cold air can take a lot out of your skin, even if you've been living in your jeans for the last four months. ...
  2. Consider switching up your hair removal routine. ...
  3. Exfoliate once or twice a week. ...
  4. Try Intense Pulsed Light technology.

What are the black dots on my legs from ingrown hairs?

The tiny red or black bumps, which resemble the seeds on a strawberry, are skin pores and hair follicles clogged with dirt, bacteria, or oil. Strawberry legs are not serious and can often be prevented by using proper shaving techniques or taken care of at home with simple skincare products.

Why do my legs bleed when I shave?

As the sharp razor is run along the skin surface any little lumps or bumps in the skin can be nicked by the sharp edge of the blade. The skin overlying varicose veins is often stretched, thin, and weak. This makes these areas particularly vulnerable to bleeding when shaving.

What are clogged pores on legs?

Strawberry legs — also known as strawberry skin legs — occur when your hair follicles or pores are clogged with dirt, dead skin, bacteria or oil. The spots usually don't itch or cause pain. The lighter your skin, the more visible strawberry legs are.

Do you exfoliate before or after shaving?

When should I exfoliate? Should you exfoliate before or after shaving? The answer is yes, to both. One of the most important parts of your pre-shave prep is exfoliation, which helps to buff and prepare your skin.

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