Ingrown hairs are bump in the skin that occur because the hair grows back or sideways in the hair follicle. They are more common among people with curly or course hair.

Ingrown hairs occur because the skin closes over the hair follicle after close shaving, waxing, or tweezing, making it difficult for the new hair to poke through this hard and dry skin. Keeping the skin moisturized and soft allows the hair to poke through.