How to Prevent Ingrown Hairs
To prevent ingrown hairs, exfoliate your skin regularly to remove dead skin cells that may clog up your hair follicles. After you exfoliate, apply a moisturizing lotion to your skin to stop it from drying out. When you shave, apply a foam or gel first to make the hair easier to cut. Also use an electric razor, which doesn't shave so closely and is less likely to cause ingrown hairs. If you wax instead, remember to clean and exfoliate your skin before waxing to guard against ingrown hairs.
Exfoliate your skin regularly. Exfoliating can remove dead skin cells that build up on the skin and clog your hair follicles. Gently exfoliate the areas where you plan to remove hair by gently rubbing your skin with a wet washcloth or a mild exfoliating scrub. Use circular motions while exfoliating for maximum effectiveness. You can make a gentle exfoliating scrub at home by mixing three parts baking soda with one part water. Use this scrub once a week for best results. Moisturize your skin and hair. Keeping your skin and hair hydrated will make your skin less prone to over drying and your hair less prone to breakage. Soft, hydrated hair is also easier to shave. After exfoliating your skin, treat it with a gentle moisturizing lotion. Check the label on your moisturizer to make sure that it is non-comedogenic (won't clog your pores). If you plan to shave your head hair, you can keep it moisturized and supple with a hair conditioner. You can help keep your body and facial hair moisturized just before or during a shave by soaking the hair in warm water and using a lubricating gel or moisturizing shaving cream. Clean your skin before removing hair. Most hair removal techniques leave your skin and follicles more vulnerable to infection. Use warm water and a mild face or body cleanser to wash away dirt and bacteria before shaving, plucking, or waxing. Wet your skin and apply gel or shaving cream before shaving. If shaving is your preferred method of hair removal, keeping your hair and skin moisturized during the shave is a must. Using a cream or gel will make the hair easier to cut, and will prevent skin irritation. For best results, apply your shaving gel or cream a few minutes before you start shaving. It's a good idea to shave in the shower or immediately after getting out of the shower. The warm water will soften the hair, making shaving much easier. Shave in the direction of hair growth. Shaving “with the grain” may help reduce friction and prevent damage and irritation to your skin. However, this technique doesn't work for everyone. Experiment with the shaving direction that is most effective and least irritating for you. Also, make sure that you do not pull your skin taut while you are shaving it. This may lead to ingrown hairs. Shave with a sharp blade. A sharp blade will cut your hair more easily and is less likely to irritate your skin. If your razor is getting dull, replace it with a new one. While some experts recommend using a single blade razor, it is unclear whether this really helps prevent the development of ingrown hairs. Stick with your multi-blade razor if you find that it is less irritating and more effective for you. Rinse your razor frequently while shaving. Razors quickly become clogged with shaving gel and hair during the shaving process, which reduces their effectiveness and makes irritation more likely. Rinse your razor between strokes to prevent buildup and keep it shaving smoothly. Shave with an electric razor. Electric razors and clippers don't cut as close to the skin as traditional safety razors, which can reduce your chance of developing ingrown hairs. It may be worthwhile to sacrifice a super close shave if you shave frequently and regularly develop ingrown hairs. Avoid setting your razor/clippers on the closest shave setting, and hold the blade slightly away from your skin while shaving. Do not use your electric razor unless it is fully charged. If the razor battery is low, then the blades may pull at your hairs, which can be painful. Use sanitary waxing practices. If you decide to wax instead of shave, you are still at risk for getting ingrown hairs, especially in the bikini area. Always cleanse and exfoliate your skin before waxing. Reduce your risk of infection by using a new applicator stick for each application of wax. Try a chemical hair remover. Depilatory creams work by dissolving the hair rather than cutting it or pulling it out of the skin. For this reason, they are less likely to lead to ingrown hairs. Chemical hair removers can cause rashes or irritation in some people. Test the product on a small area of your skin before use. Use laser hair removal. Laser hair removal is a semi-permanent hair removal technique that involves destroying the hair and the root with a guided laser beam. While this technique does not usually completely eliminate hair in the treated area, it will reduce hair density significantly. This reduces the need for shaving, plucking, and other hair removal techniques that lead to ingrown hairs. Laser hair removal is relatively safe, and the side effects (typically redness and irritation) are usually mild and temporary. In rare cases, permanent scarring may occur. Keep in mind that laser hair removal can be costly. Typically, multiple treatments are needed over the course of several months for the treatment to be effective. Rinse your skin with cool water after shaving. Splash on a little cold water, or gently wipe the shaved area with a cold, wet washcloth. Rinsing will help cleanse the skin, close up your pores, and reduce irritation. Apply a moisturizing lotion after removing hair. Whether you wax, pluck, or shave, it's a good idea to treat your skin with a gentle lotion afterwards. Make sure your lotion is free of perfumes and alcohol.  Moisturizers containing colloidal oatmeal or aloe may be particularly soothing. You may also try applying some cool chamomile tea to your skin after shaving. Chamomile is soothing and it has antibacterial properties. Exfoliate again after removing hair. Exfoliating is especially important after waxing, since it can help new hair growth emerge the way it's supposed to. Apply a mild, gentle exfoliating scrub daily for the first few days after waxing. Use glycolic acid or salicylic acid on your skin. Glycolic and salicylic acid both help exfoliate the skin and prevent ingrown hairs by keeping pores unclogged. Salicylic acid is a key ingredient in many acne medications, so it can also help prevent post-shave breakouts. Try post-shave serum or cleansing pads containing glycolic and/or salicylic acid. If your skin is sensitive, you may need to avoid using these products more than once a week. Avoid using glycolic or salicylic acid on freshly shaved or waxed skin. Let your skin rest and heal for a day or two before applying. These products can be drying, so use them in combination with a moisturizer. 
Exfoliate your skin regularly. Moisturize your skin and hair. Clean your skin before removing hair. Wet your skin and apply gel or shaving cream before shaving. Shave in the direction of hair growth. Shave with a sharp blade. Rinse your razor frequently while shaving. Shave with an electric razor. Use sanitary waxing practices. Try a chemical hair remover. Use laser hair removal. Rinse your skin with cool water after shaving. Apply a moisturizing lotion after removing hair. Exfoliate again after removing hair. Use glycolic acid or salicylic acid on your skin. 