If you keep getting bumps after shaving or waxing, laser hair removal and ingrown hairs are more closely linked than most people realise. Laser is one of the most effective long term ways to reduce ingrown hairs, because it treats the hair at the follicle instead of cutting it off at the surface. Fewer hairs growing back means fewer hairs that can curl over and get trapped under the skin.

What Causes Ingrown Hairs?

An ingrown hair forms when a hair curls round and grows back into the skin rather than rising up and out of the follicle. Shaving leaves a sharp tip that can pierce the skin as it regrows. Waxing, plucking and epilating pull the hair out completely, so the new hair can come through at the wrong angle. The result is a small raised bump, sometimes red or sore, sometimes with the hair visible underneath. The NHS has practical guidance on managing them at home.

They show up most on areas that get shaved or waxed regularly. The bikini line, legs and underarms are the usual spots for women. For men, ingrown chest hair, the neck and the stomach cause the most trouble. Shaving the same area again and again is also what leads to razor bumps, where clusters of irritated, inflamed bumps build up over time. So combining laser hair removal and ingrown hairs gives you a solution.

How Laser Treatment for Ingrown Hairs Works

Laser treatment for ingrown hairs works by going after the follicle itself. A beam of light is drawn to the pigment in the hair, then heat passes down the hair to the follicle and weakens it. Treated follicles produce finer, weaker hair or stop producing hair at all. With fewer hairs pushing through the skin, there is far less chance of one curling back and becoming trapped. The connection between laser hair removal and ingrown hairs comes down to that single point: deal with the follicle and you deal with the cause. You can read more about how our laser hair removal works on the main treatment page.

Will Laser Hair Removal Get Rid of Ingrown Hairs Completely?

Laser reduces ingrown hairs rather than promising to erase every single one overnight. In the first few weeks treated hairs shed, and you may notice a few ingrown hairs after laser hair removal while that happens. This settles as the course goes on and regrowth drops away. By the end of a full course most people see far fewer ingrown hairs, fewer razor bumps and smoother skin across the treated area. When it comes to laser hair removal and ingrown hairs, the aim is lasting reduction rather than a quick cover up.

Laser Compared With Other Hair Removal Methods

Shaving, waxing and epilating all remove hair at or below the surface, so the problem returns with the next regrowth. Plenty of people find epilating and ingrown hairs go hand in hand, since pulling hair from the root can leave it growing back at an angle.

IPL spreads a broader band of light than a laser, so it targets each follicle less directly. Laser for ingrown hair concentrates the energy on the follicle, which is what gives the longer term reduction that creams, razors and wax cannot match.

If you have been searching for laser hair removal ingrown hair advice, or weighing up laser removal ingrown hair options for one stubborn area, the reasoning is the same: treat the follicle and you treat the cause.

Which Areas Can Be Treated?

Common areas of laser hair removal for women are:

• bikini line
• legs
• underarms
• upper lip for women

Common areas of laser hair removal for men are:

• chest
• back
• neck
• beard
• stomach

We offer dedicated laser hair removal for women and laser hair removal for men, so the settings and approach suit your skin tone, hair type and the area being treated.

The Lynton Motus: Our Laser Hair Removal System

Our laser hair removal is carried out with the Lynton Motus, a superior medical-grade device and a global leader in its field. It pairs an Alexandrite wavelength with Moveo in-motion technology, so the practitioner glides the handpiece across the skin in a sweeping motion rather than firing single shots. Clinical data for this in-motion technology shows an average hair reduction of 78.5%. The cooling built into the handpiece keeps each session pain-free, and most clients describe the feeling as a gentle warmth on the skin. A full course runs to around 6 to 8 sessions, which is fewer than many older systems ask for.

The Motus is also known for its speed. It can treat full legs in around 45 minutes and a full body in about 75 minutes, which makes regular sessions easy to fit around a busy week. The Alexandrite wavelength suits tanned and darker skin tones that many other devices cannot treat safely, and it is one of the few systems clinically proven to work on red and blonde hair. You can see the full detail of our Lynton Motus laser hair removal and what a course involves on the treatment page.

About the Author

This article was written by Jayne McIntosh, Director of Air Aesthetics & Wellness Clinics. Jayne has a close working knowledge of the clinic group's medical-grade, non-surgical treatments and spends her time helping clients understand their options and feel confident about the treatment they choose. She works alongside the clinical team to make sure the advice clients receive about laser hair removal, ingrown hairs and skin health is accurate and grounded in what the treatments can realistically deliver.

Why Choose Air Aesthetics & Wellness Clinics

Air Aesthetics is a multi-award-winning Aesthetics & Wellness clinic group and a winner of the Safety in Beauty Awards, which reflects how seriously we take safe treatment. The clinic group is doctor-led by Medical Director Dr Claire Oliver (GDC 70918), with medical oversight from Dr Emma Green (GMC 7490595). We use medical-grade devices throughout, including the Lynton Motus for laser hair removal, and every course starts with a thorough assessment & review of medical history so the plan fits your skin and your goals.

Carole Fischer - 5* Verified Google Review

"I highly recommend the Air Aesthetics Clinic in Henley in Arden

The team are professional & friendly, taking time & care with their advice & treatments. I travel 68 miles each way for my treatment & it's worth every mile"

Julie Purvin - 5* Verified Google Review

“Fantastic clinic... amazing treatments. I’ve had many treatments with Claire Oliver and she is truly professional in everything she does. I wouldn’t go anywhere else.”

If laser hair removal and ingrown hairs have been on your mind, the best next step is to book a complimentary consultation, where the team can assess your skin and talk you through what to expect.

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