While often considered a procedure for women, microdermabrasion offers skin benefits for men that can positively impact shaving. Does microdermabrasion help ingrown hairs? Let’s take a look in more detail.
Microdermabrasion uses a small applicator to gently sand away skin and rejuvenate it. People often use microdermabrasion to assist with acne scars, blackheads, sun damage, lines and wrinkles and other skin conditions they’d like to improve upon.
There are two types of microdermabrasion machines currently used (Diamond and Crystal) but the benefits offered are similar. Depending on what clinic you choose they may offer one option or both and might suggest one or the other option depending on your needs.
Microdermabrasion is a procedure that can done as frequently as weekly to once every 2 months. Often, people will choose to have the procedure done weekly for several weeks (ie. 3) and then switch to a monthly schedule depending on their needs and budget.
Since microdermabrasion effectively removes the top layer of skin, it can also provide shaving benefits since dead skin cells are one of the reasons pores get clogged and ingrown hairs appear. But while microdermabrasion can help clear ingrown hairs and also help to prevent them, there are things you can do on your own to decrease the likelihood you get ingrown hairs in the first place.
How To Reduce The Chances Of Ingrown Hairs
Improve Your Shaving
For most guys, ingrown hairs are a result of poor shaving habits. Using razor blades that are dulled and should have already been replaced. Dry shaving without shaving cream. Shaving against the grain. Shaving the same area of your face repeatedly on the same day. Also, multi-blade razors and electric shavers with the lift and cut system can increase the chance of ingrown hairs.
Use a DE razor
Consider use of a single blade razor such as a double blade razor. As we just spoke about, multi blade razors increase the chance of ingrown hairs in some guys. They use 2 or more blades, 1 of which pulls the whiskers closer to the blade and the second and subsequent blade(s) then cut them. It provides a closer shave but as it cuts hair beneath the skin, the whiskers growing back may curl downwards and grow in the wrong direction leading to an ingrown hair.
Exfoliate
Exfoliating refers to washing the face typically with a slightly abrasive or granulated cleaner to remove dead skin cells and open the pores. Blocked pores leads to acne, blackheads and contributes to ingrown hairs. Microdermabrasion assists with exfoliating, keeping the skin clean and keeping the pores open.
Moisturize
Moisturizing is important not only to avoid dry skin in general but also after shaving. While men often use aftershave following shaving, most are alcohol-based which has a drying effect. Alcohol has traditionally been used because it’s a cheap ingredient but also for sterilization and cut-clotting purposes. A post shave balm or lotion that soothes skin without alcohol may be a better choice to help protect your skin following shaving especially if you have sensitive skin.
Conclusion
- Microdermabrasion gently removes the top layer of skin along with dead skin cells which has the benefit of clearing the skin, opening and pores and helping to reduce the chance of ingrown hairs.
- Ingrown hairs usually occur on men due to shaving mistakes. Check out the list above and improve your shaving routine to decrease the chance that your ingrown hairs are a result of your shaving habits.
- Check out my post where I compare dermaplaning and microdermabrasion.
- For ingrown hairs that simply won’t go away, visit with a dermatologist to get professional help.
What have you done to get rid of ingrown hairs? Let us know in the comments below!