As if shaving isn’t terrible enough (hi, your knee is bleeding) once summer comes along, most of us have to deal with the dreaded ingrown hair afterward. We checked in with Dr. Mona Gohara, a dermatologist in New York, for the world’s easiest way to prevent those suckers in the first place.
What you need: A tube of one percent hydrocortisone cream.
What you do: Right after shaving, apply a pea-sized amount of cream over any irritated spots where you’re prone to ingrowns--say, under the arms or along your bikini line. Continue to apply cream to the affected areas twice a day for a few days (but no more than a week, as it can thin the skin) until the inflammation subsides.
Why it works: The familiar first aid staple not only soothes itchy skin; it also helps to bring down swelling, which can prevent hairs from getting trapped under the skin and reduce the chance of scarring down the road. It will also speed up the healing of existing bumps (you know, the ones you got before reading this).
