Ingrown hair on bum: Causes and prevention

What causes ingrown hair on bum?

You may sometimes notice ingrown hairs around your bum crack, across your buttocks, and down your thighs. If you want to get rid of them and prevent them from developing again, you first need to understand why they’re appearing on your skin.

Let’s take a look at some of the most common causes of ingrown hair near bum:

• Shaving: Around 25% of people experience ingrown hairs or razor bumps on their bum after shaving.² You might also spot them after other hair removal methods, including waxing, threading, and plucking.¹
• Clogged pores: Build-up of dirt, sebum, and dead skin cells can block the path of the hair follicle. When it can’t properly push up through the skin, it grows back on itself, leading to ingrown hairs.¹
• Clothing: It’s not uncommon to wear tight clothing around your bum, which can cause friction that pushes the hair back under the skin. It might also make the skin around your bum sweatier, leading to clogged pores.

Signs of ingrown hair near bum

Not sure whether the bump you’ve noticed is an ingrown hair on your buttocks crack, or something else? Here are some of the first symptoms of ingrown hairs or shaving bumps on your butt¹:

• Small, raised bumps (typically red or dark-toned)
• Localised discomfort when sitting or walking, similar to a painful spot
• Itchy skin around the bump
• A visible hair trapped beneath the skin

If you spot an ingrown hair on your bum, you don’t need to panic. They often go away by themselves, and it’s rare for one to become severely infected. Rather than focus on the ingrown hair you have, look instead at ways to prevent any more from appearing on your skin.

How to prevent ingrown hairs on your bum

Wondering how to prevent ingrown hairs between your buttocks? Start with your at-home grooming routine.

Make sure you’re regularly exfoliating to remove any build-up of dirt, oil, sweat, and dead skin. Try using a body scrub or exfoliating glove in the shower, or a chemical exfoliant after you’ve washed. Glycolic acid, for instance, has been found to reduce ingrown hairs by 60%, and can be a little less irritating than physical scrubs and gloves.³

It’s also important to use non-comedogenic moisturisers. These soften the skin without clogging pores, making them a smart choice for ingrown hairs on the top of your bum or around the buttocks.

If you’re experiencing bumps on your buttocks after shaving, it’s a clear sign to switch up your hair removal routine.

Make sure you’re using a shaver that’s suitable for intimate areas. We recommend:

• Philips OneBlade Intimate: This innovative shaver is designed specifically for sensitive areas, including your bum, and follows the natural curves of your body for a smooth shave. Crucially, the SkinProtect blade helps reduce friction and irritation to help prevent ingrown hairs.
• Philips All-in-One Trimmer 9000 Series: If you’re getting ingrown hairs after a close shave on your bum, switch to the All-in-One Trimmer Series. This gives you exceptional control over hair length, with 0.2mm increments meaning that you can cut just above the surface of the skin to reduce the chance of ingrown hairs.

For your shaving routine, here are essential tips to help you avoid razor bumps on your bum¹:

1. Wet your skin to soften the hairs before your shave - the OneBlade Intimate and All-in-One Trimmer 9000 Series are both 100% showerproof.
2. Use a fragrance-free shaving gel, foam, or oil.
3. Shave in the direction of your hair growth.
4. Use as few passes as possible and rinse your blade after every stroke.
5. After shaving, hold a cold, wet cloth to the skin.

Shaving regularly has also been found to reduce ingrown hairs, helping you maintain smooth skin without the bumps.⁴

Ingrown hair on bum FAQS

How do you get rid of ingrown hairs on your bum cheek?

If you spot an ingrown hair on your buttocks, crack, or anywhere else on your body, start by applying a warm compress to the skin. Hold it for 10-15 minutes before gently cleaning the area. It can help to use a mild exfoliant to remove dead skin cells, like a body scrub or chemical exfoliant. Never pick, squeeze, or scratch ingrown hairs, as this can increase irritation and the risk of infection.

Should I be worried about having ingrown hair around the anus?

Ingrown hairs around the anus are usually not a cause for concern and can occur when hair grows back into the skin after shaving or hair removal. However, because the area is sensitive, it's important to look for signs of infection, such as worsening pain, swelling, pus, or spreading redness. If symptoms persist or become severe, seek advice from a healthcare professional.

Ingrown hairs can appear in many areas of your body, from your bum to your underarms, but small changes to your routine can help reduce the risk. Regular exfoliation, the right shaving tools, and a gentle hair removal routine can all support smoother, less irritated skin. If your bumps keep coming back, become painful, or show signs of infection, speak to a medical professional for personalised advice.

Struggling with bumps across your intimate areas? Read our guide to avoiding ingrown pubic hairs for smoother skin.

Sources

¹Ingrown Hairs, NHS

²Systematic Review of Prevalence, Attitude, and Practices of Pubic Hair Removal Activities, ResearchGate

³Treatment of Pseudofolliculitis Barbae With Topical Glycolic Acid: A Report of Two Studies, NIH

⁴Insights Into the Role of Grooming Modifications and Preventative Approaches in Pseudofolliculitis Barbae: A Narrative Review of Hair Removal Practices, ScienceDirect