Which hair removal method can lead to ingrown hairs?

Shaving is a hair removal method that can lead to ingrown hairs due to the way it cuts the hair at the surface of the skin. When hair is shaved, it may grow back with a sharp edge, which can cause the hair to curve back into the skin rather than growing straight out. This trapped hair can lead to irritation, inflammation, and the development of ingrown hairs, which can be painful and create bumps on the skin.

Other methods, such as waxing, can also cause ingrown hairs, but they typically remove the hair from the root, which may reduce the likelihood of hair re-entering the skin compared to shaving. Laser hair removal targets the hair follicle for a long-term reduction in hair growth, making ingrown hairs less likely over time. Depilatory creams dissolve the hair above the skin's surface, also diminishing the risk of ingrown hairs compared to the sharp edge left by shaving.