Can light therapy help treat and prevent ingrown hairs?

Ingrown hairs are more than a cosmetic nuisance they can be painful, irritating, and even lead to infection if not properly treated. While anyone can experience them, they’re more common in people with coarse or curly hair, and they often appear in areas where the skin is shaved or under constant friction.

The good news? Most ingrown hairs can be managed at home, and with the right prevention strategies, they can often be avoided altogether. Light therapy, particularly red and blue wavelengths, is emerging as an effective, non-invasive way to reduce inflammation, speed healing, and lower the risk of future flare-ups.

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What are ingrown hairs?

An ingrown hair happens when a strand grows back into the skin instead of breaking through the surface. In medical terms, this is called pseudofolliculitis barbae. While they can occur anywhere, they’re most often found in areas we shave or where the skin experiences repeated friction — such as the beard area, legs, underarms, chest, and the pubic region.

The first signs are usually irritation and redness. Over time, a small, raised bump can develop, sometimes resembling a pimple. These bumps may be itchy, tender, or even filled with pus if inflammation sets in. For many, ingrown hairs are both uncomfortable and unwelcome from a skin health perspective.

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Why do ingrown hairs form?

At its core, an ingrown hair is the result of a disrupted growth pattern, the hair can’t follow its natural path to the skin’s surface, so it curls or grows sideways beneath it. But the reasons this happens are varied, and often a mix of habits, skin condition, and even clothing choices.

Improper hair removal techniques
Shaving too close to the skin is one of the biggest culprits. When a hair is cut at a sharp angle, its pointed tip can easily pierce the surrounding skin as it regrows. Waxing and plucking, while removing the entire hair, can also set the stage for ingrowns. As the new hair grows back through the follicle, it may struggle to push past the surface, bending and curling beneath the skin instead.

Blocked or clogged follicles
Healthy hair growth depends on a clear path out of the follicle. When dead skin cells, oil, or dirt build up, that pathway narrows or becomes completely blocked. The trapped hair often grows sideways, creating the characteristic bump of an ingrown. This is why regular exfoliation can be so important for prevention.

Friction and constant pressure
Clothing that’s too tight, such as sports leggings, uniform trousers, or snug collars can repeatedly rub against the skin. Over time, this pressure can cause the hair to bend back toward the follicle. Activities involving frequent movement, like cycling or running, can have a similar effect, especially in areas where sweat adds to the friction.

Hair type and skin texture
People with curly or coarse hair are naturally more prone to ingrown hairs. The natural curve of the hair makes it easier for the tip to re-enter the skin, while a thicker strand can cause more irritation once trapped. Those with dry or less elastic skin may also be at higher risk, as the skin’s surface doesn’t yield as easily to new growth.

In most cases, it’s not just one factor at play it’s a combination. For example, shaving coarse hair in a high-friction area without proper exfoliation creates the perfect environment for ingrown hairs to form.

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Red light therapy for ingrown hairs

Red light therapy (wavelengths around 620–660 nm) penetrates the skin to stimulate cellular activity and improve circulation. At a cellular level, it increases the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), giving cells the energy they need to repair and regenerate.

For ingrown hairs, this means:

• Reduced inflammation and swelling
  
  
• Faster healing of irritated skin
  
  
• Improved nutrient and oxygen delivery to the affected area

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Blue light therapy for ingrown hairs

Blue light (405–470 nm) is widely recognized for its antimicrobial properties. Unlike UV light, it does not damage skin cells but effectively targets bacteria, helping reduce the risk of infection around an ingrown hair.

Its benefits include:

• Killing acne-causing and skin-infecting bacteria
  
  
• Reducing redness caused by mild infection
  
  
• Supporting a cleaner healing environment for the skin
  
  

Combining red and blue light for best results

Using both red and blue light creates a complementary effect: blue light reduces bacteria, while red light supports healing and reduces inflammation. This dual approach not only helps resolve existing ingrown hairs faster, but can also minimize recurrence.

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Preventing ingrown hairs

While light therapy can be part of your treatment plan, prevention is key. You can reduce your risk by:

• Exfoliating regularly to remove dead skin cells
  
  
• Using sharp, clean razors and shaving in the direction of hair growth
  
  
• Avoiding overly tight clothing in high-friction areas
  
  
• Keeping skin moisturized to maintain elasticity and health
  
  

Light Tree Ventures solutions

At Light Tree Ventures, we design and manufacture clinically tested LED light therapy devices that combine red and blue wavelengths — ideal for skin care professionals and home users alike. Our products are ISO13485-certified and designed for safety, comfort, and effectiveness, helping you manage and prevent conditions like ingrown hairs with science-backed technology.

Whether you’re a skincare clinic, a wellness brand, or looking to develop your own light therapy product line, we offer both private label and white label solutions to bring high-quality devices to market quickly.

Contact our team today to learn more about our light therapy solutions for healthier, irritation-free skin.

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