6 Tips for Safe Hair Removal With Atopic Dermatitis

“Hair removal can irritate the skin because the skin’s surface is damaged in the process,” says Sheila Farhang, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Avant Dermatology & Aesthetics in Tucson, Arizona. “Physical methods like shaving or waxing remove the surface layers of the skin, and chemical methods like using a depilatory can burn the skin.”

But despite these challenges, you can take steps to make hair removal safer if you have atopic dermatitis. Here are six tips that may help.

1. Evaluate Removal Methods

That said, some methods may come with more risk of irritation than others.

“Depilatory creams and waxing are more likely to cause irritation in those with sensitive skin,” says Hadley King, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in private practice and clinical instructor of dermatology at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University in New York City.

“These creams contain strong chemicals, and you can really hurt your skin, particularly if you leave the product on too long,” Dr. King says.

While shaving also has the potential for irritation, you can take more safety precautions to protect your skin. For best results, King recommends that you:

• Use a razor with a sharp blade and replace blades on a regular basis.
• Keep razor blades as clean and disinfected as possible to avoid infections.
• Shave in the direction in which the hair grows rather than “going against the grain” to get the closest shave, and don’t switch directions partway through. This can help you avoid further skin irritation.
• Try an electric razor. Because they don’t give a close shave, they’re less likely to lead to painful ingrown hairs or irritate atopic dermatitis patches.

If you’re unsure which option is best for you, consider speaking with a certified dermatologist. They can give you advice on which hair removal technique may work best for your skin and condition.

2. Prep Your Skin and Hair

“Moistening and hydrating beard hair prior to shaving, for example, can make the hair more supple and easier to shave,” says Beth Goldstein, MD, the founding partner of Central Dermatology Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

“Hot water can dry out the skin,” Dr. Goldstein says. “So using lukewarm water — either applied to the skin with a towel for a few minutes before shaving or getting the area you want to shave moistened for a few minutes in the shower — can be useful.”

3. Use Products Meant for Shaving

While soap and warm water are great for hydrating your skin and hair before your shave, stick to products specially formulated for shaving during the act itself.

When you have atopic dermatitis, “it’s important to use a shaving cream or mousse because you’re shaving the outermost layers of skin, too,” King says. “If you don’t use a good product with emollients and occlusives (moisturizing agents) to protect and moisturize the skin, you can end up with abrasions and irritation, which can only make eczema worse.”

King recommends shaving products that contain coconut oil, aloe, and hyaluronic acid to soften the hair and provide optimum slip for a comfortable shave. Be sure to check labels to find products that are fragrance-free, soap-free, and suitable for sensitive skin, she says.

4. Moisturize After Shaving

“One of the best things you can do for eczema-prone skin is to keep it moisturized,” says Dr. Farhang.

King suggests using an over-the-counter hydrocortisone topical cream as needed to help soothe shaving irritation as well as an emollient to keep skin soft. Before using these products, though, you may want to talk with your dermatologist to make sure they’re right for you.

Keep your skin hydrated beyond your shave, too, Farhang says: “This starts with your daily shower and a soothing body wash designed with dermatologists for sensitive skin. Long-lasting hydration improves the skin barrier, which can help future flare-ups be less severe.”

You also want to hydrate from the inside, so be sure to drink enough water each day, Farhang says.

5. Consider Gentle Exfoliation

You can gently exfoliate the skin to keep it healthy and less prone to damage and irritation from shaving, King says.

Despite the cautions, exfoliation can help reduce your risk of ingrown hairs if it’s safe for you, King says.

“Either physical exfoliation with a gentle scrub or chemical exfoliation with a toner or cleanser containing glycolic or another alpha hydroxy acid are great, because this decreases the risk that skin will be covering where the hair is growing,” she says.

6. If Possible, Try Laser Treatment

While laser hair removal can be pricey, the experts interviewed for this article all say that, for people with atopic dermatitis, it’s also one of the safest, least invasive options for hair removal.

In fact, King says it’s the “most definitive method” for hair removal.