Today, ingrown hairs are a common skin concern, even if you use a hair removal device. So what causes hair to grow inward instead of growing out normally? Let’s take a closer look with Vatico.
What are ingrown hairs?
You may not know that beneath the surface of our skin are countless hair follicles. Normally, hair grows directly through the pore. However, in some cases, you may notice swelling and mild pain. If you look closely, you’ll see that the hair at that spot does not grow straight out, but curls back into the skin. This is the common ingrown hair condition many people experience.

This condition can appear on any part of the body. It may affect the arms, legs, underarms, bikini area, or even the face. If not handled properly, ingrown hairs can cause inflammation and, in some cases, infection.
Causes of ingrown hairs
Not exfoliating regularly
Dead skin cells and dirt build up on the skin every day. If they are not removed, they can clog the skin and create a breeding ground for bacteria. When the hair growth cycle begins, hair cannot grow out normally and instead curls inward. That is why, if you do not exfoliate regularly to help remove dead skin buildup, hair may be forced to grow into the skin.
Improper hair removal
Plucking and shaving are the two methods most likely to cause ingrown hairs. When hair is accidentally pulled or shaved too closely, part of the hair can remain under the skin’s surface. That trapped hair can irritate the skin and cause inflammation. In men, the habit of shaving can easily lead to ingrown facial hair. Women who shave their arms and legs may also experience this issue.
Genetics
If you have naturally curly hair, the risk of hair curling and growing back into the skin is much higher. In addition, androgen is a sex hormone that affects hair and hair growth. High androgen levels can cause excessive hair growth, which can also make hair growth harder to control and create conditions for ingrown hairs.
If the condition is mild, you usually do not need to see a doctor. However, if symptoms become more serious, such as inflammation, pain, itching, or pus, VATICO recommends visiting a healthcare provider for the best treatment advice.
SmoothSkin Fit – an optimal solution
We now have a new product line: SmoothSkin Fit. This next-generation at-home hair removal device features even more sensitive sensing technology, giving you a better hair removal experience. You no longer need to worry about the sensor not being sensitive enough or the device not detecting the treatment area properly. The SmoothSkin Fit hair removal device can be a reliable companion on your hair removal journey.
Read more
- Which at-home hair removal device delivers the best results?
- How to use the SmoothSkin Bare Fit hair removal device
Vatico is an authorized distributor of beauty products and devices for customers across Southeast Asia.

