Does Waxing Cause Ingrown Hairs or Prevent Them?

TL;DR: Does Waxing Cause Ingrown Hairs?

• Waxing doesn’t cause ingrown hairs, poor technique, timing, and aftercare do.

• Shaving is more likely to lead to ingrowns since it cuts hair at the surface.

• Prep and aftercare matter: exfoliate and hydrate before and after, and skip heat and tight clothes for 24 hours.

• Consistency is key: regular waxing helps hair grow finer and reduces ingrowns over time.

Those tiny red bumps that show up after waxing can feel like the universe’s cruel joke after an already painful session. Areas with thicker or curlier hair, like the bikini line, underarms, or chest, are especially prone to ingrown hairs, but they can happen almost anywhere hair grows. The question everyone asks is: does waxing cause ingrown hairs, or does it actually stop them?

Truth is, waxing or any removal of hair from the root isn't the problem: it's the regrowth, timing and aftercare that make all the difference. When done correctly, waxing removes hair from the root and leaves the skin smoother for longer, helping to prevent those trapped hairs and inflamed follicles from forming. But when hair regrows, there's a chance that it curls back under the skin or gets trapped under microscopic dead skin cells, and ingrowns can easily sneak in like your ex’s bed you swore you’d never go back to.

At Ted D Bare, we've been waxing San Jose since 2006, and our technique and in-house aftercare line are so effective they’ll punch your ingrowns in the face and steal their lunch money. We stan smooth skin, and we’ll show you exactly why those bumps happen and how to keep your post-wax glow completely bump-free.

What Are Ingrown Hairs and Why They Happen After Waxing

An ingrown hair is simply a strand that grows sideways or curls back into the skin instead of outward. This happens when the follicle gets blocked by dead skin, sebum (the natural oil your skin produces), or friction from tight clothing. After waxing, your pores are temporarily open and sensitive, making it easier for debris or bacteria to sneak in and cause irritation.

If the skin isn’t regularly exfoliated or hydrated during healing, new hair can have trouble breaking through the surface, leading to those dreaded bumps. Waxing inconsistently or outside your natural growth cycle can also cause problems; when some hairs are too short or growing at different stages, the wax can’t grip them properly, causing breakage below the skin’s surface. Over time, that uneven removal makes hair more likely to curl inward as it regrows.

Because waxing pulls hair from the root, it can slightly inflame the follicle at first, but it also encourages thinner, softer regrowth over time. Improper technique worsens the problem. If the wax is removed incorrectly, it can cause the same breakage that triggers ingrown hairs after waxing. 

Skilled estheticians, like those at Ted D Bare, know how to work with your natural growth pattern to minimize irritation and keep skin smooth between appointments.

Why Some People Get More Ingrown Hairs Than Others

Not all skin or hair behaves the same way. Some people seem genetically immune to ingrowns, while others can look at a razor and immediately break out. The difference often comes down to hair texture, skin health, and daily habits.

If you have thick, coarse, or curly hair, you’re more likely to experience ingrown hairs after a Brazilian or bikini wax because your strands naturally coil and grow back toward the skin. Dry or flaky skin can trap hair beneath the surface, while excess oil or sweat can clog pores. Even small things like hormonal changes from your period, pregnancy, or birth control, along with simple friction from clothing, can affect how hair grows back after waxing.

Waxing vs. Shaving: Which Leads to More Ingrown Hairs?

If you’ve ever compared your post-shave bikini line to your post-wax results, you already know there’s a difference. And while we’re on the subject, how’s that razor burn treating you?

Does waxing or shaving cause more ingrown hairs? In most cases, shaving is the bigger offender. When you shave, you slice the hair at a sharp angle right at the skin’s surface. As it grows back, that blunt tip can pierce the surrounding skin, curl inward, and create a bump.

Waxing, on the other hand, removes the entire hair from the follicle. Regrowth starts fresh with a tapered end that’s far less likely to get trapped. Over time, that repeated removal thins your hair and helps it grow in more evenly, which means fewer chances for follicle chaos.

Results depend on your prep, your esthetician's technique, your genetics, and how you care for your skin afterward.

How To Prevent and Treat Ingrown Hairs After Waxing

Here’s where most people go wrong: treating ingrowns reactively instead of preventively. By building a smart routine around your wax, you can learn how to prevent ingrown hairs after waxing and keep those pesky bumps away for good.

Smart Pre-Wax Prep

Gently exfoliate the area 24 hours before your appointment using a mild scrub or chemical exfoliant (like lactic acid) to remove dead skin and clear follicles. On the day of your wax, cleanse the area with a gentle, fragrance-free wash to remove oils and bacteria. This gives the wax a clean surface to grip so it can lift each hair from the root instead of breaking it.

Make sure your hair is about half an inch long. If it’s too short, the wax won’t grab; if it’s too long, it can tug (we’ll trim it for you if needed). Arrive with clean, dry skin and skip lotions, oils, or heavy products that can interfere with the wax.

Post-Wax Aftercare and Treatment

Right after your wax, your skin’s in recovery mode and needs gentle care. Skip tight clothes, hot showers, and workouts for the first 24 hours to let your pores calm down. Keep the area clean, hydrated, and protected with lightweight, fragrance-free moisturizers or soothing gels.

After 24 hours, your skin is ready for some TLC. Start with gentle exfoliation to prevent dead skin from trapping new growth. Use a physical exfoliator like the 50 Grit Exfoliating Towel to sweep away buildup, choosing between Passive for sensitive skin and Aggressive for normal to combination types.

Follow up with a chemical exfoliator or ingrown serum like Agent 88, a blend of lactic and salicylic acids that clears pores beneath the surface before hairs have a chance to curl in. Finish with a lightweight ingrown oil like Phantom Oil, which combines neem and essential oils to hydrate, soothe, and balance the skin.

Used together, this trio keeps post-wax skin calm, hydrated, and bump-free. But don’t overdo exfoliation, two to three times a week is plenty.

If you do get a stubborn ingrown, resist the urge to dig it out. Apply a warm compress to soften the skin and gently exfoliate instead. For anything inflamed or painful, check in with your esthetician; they can safely assess it and recommend what to use.

How Long Do Ingrown Hairs Last After Waxing?

Even with proper care, a few bumps can sneak through, especially if it’s your first time waxing. Most mild ingrowns clear up within three to seven days. When you exfoliate regularly and keep your skin hydrated, the trapped hairs usually find their way out naturally.

Persistent or deeper ingrowns might take longer, especially if there’s inflammation or infection. In those cases, consistent exfoliation and gentle warm compresses are your best allies.

Some redness and sensitivity for up to 48 hours post-wax are totally normal. But if you notice pus, swelling, or discomfort that worsens over several days, it could be a sign of folliculitis, a mild inflammation of the hair follicle. It’s common and usually clears on its own with proper care, like keeping the area clean and dry, using warm compresses, and avoiding tight clothes or heavy sweating. If it spreads or becomes painful, check in with your waxer or a dermatologist for treatment.

Ingrowns Caused by Brazilian Waxing? Don’t Know Her.

Ingrowns usually occur during the regrowth process and are affected by poor technique, skipped aftercare, hormonal changes, your own DA, or not stayingconsistent with your appointments.It rarely stems from waxing itself. At Ted D Bare, we’ve perfected our technique to keep your skin smoother for longer, paired, of course, with your own post-wax care due diligence. Don’t worry, we cover it all on our blog so you have every bit of waxing wisdom you’ll ever need.