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Navigate: FAQ Home Page > Hair & Shaving > Ingrown hairs
Posted on: 02/26/2010
Question
I get a lot of ingrown hairs on my legs and underarms. How can I avoid them?
Answer
Ingrown hairs can develop for several reasons. The main cause is from tight clothing that rubs in those areas, especially on the thighs. Shaving or plucking can further cause ingrown hairs. Some people have a general tendency towards them as well. Rarely, a true bacterial infection will be the cause. So, you can try to avoid ingrown hair by avoiding tight clothing. If this is not enough, you can treat the problem by using a benzoyl peroxide wash available without a prescription to wash the affected area or instead of a shaving lotion. It will bleach fabric, so make sure to use a white towel afterwards. Give it two months to see if that will work for you. If it doesn't help, see your pediatrician or dermatologist. Good luck!