Natural health: Ingrown hairs

Q: I get ingrown hair bumps on my thighs and bikini line. It doesn’t seem to make any difference if I shave, wax, or use creams, I always end up with ingrown hairs.

This is not a big problem, since there are only about six or eight at any given time, and they don’t get infected, but I would like to know if there is any way I can prevent this from happening.

A: Ingrown hairs may seem like a minor annoyance, but can be particularly problematic if they do become infected, so it is a good idea to minimise the likelihood of them appearing if possible. This is not just an issue for women — ingrown hairs are a problem that occurs with facial hair, and even on the scalp. A tip for those who shave is to shave with, rather than against, the grain.