As discussed in previous post, I wax. This can result in irritation and ingrown hairs in a very sensitive area. I use Bliss Ingrown Eliminating Pads to help prevent them, and while they help, I stayed on the lookout for something more effective. A friend recommended Whish Flawless Ingrown Hair Serum (Birchbox, $22.50), so I thought I’d give it a try.
According to the makers: “Wheat germ and yeast extracts heal redness and soothe skin post-shaving. Meanwhile, vitamin-rich papaya extract helps weaken existing follicles and stop future ingrown hairs, while willow bark—a natural source of salicylic acid—battles inflammation.”
While I’m not an expert on what makes the serum work, I can say with certainty that It.Works. Two weeks after my last appointment, and I don’t have a single ingrown hair. Not one.
I definitely prefer the serum to the Bliss pads. The serum doesn’t sting or dry the skin, and it helps with the bumps as well as irritation. And even if you don’t wax, the serum is recommended for shaved legs and under-arms. I highly recommend it.
10 comments :
Maharani November 30, -0001 12:00AM
Yes, I was a biologist for 25 years. What annoys me is the language and tone used in describing beauty products, as if “willow bark” is somehow more reassuring than just saying aspirin, despite being vague and uninformative.
Meg October 9, 2012 3:19PM
Thanks for the recommendation! I've been using Bliss pads too, and they just are not cutting it. I'm definitely going to try this out.
Anna October 9, 2012 3:27PM
Good to know! I've used Tend Skin and Clearasil type pads, but they tend to dry out my skin, especially the Tend Skin. The Bliss pads always seemed so expensive for not a whole lot. An aesthetician once recommended a similar product called Prince Reign, apparently it was on the Oprah show, but I still had an entire bottle of Tend Skin at home. I've also been told that sugar scrubs work best for exfoliating in the shower. The granules are smaller than a salt scrub, and they don't hold bacteria like a washcloth or exfoliating glove.
Natalie October 9, 2012 5:27PM
For ladies that shave, the Whish shave crave shaving cream is really nice too. I have the pomegranate scent and I love it.
Jennifer H. October 9, 2012 5:58PM
I tried the Whish Shave Cream in a Birchbox recently and loved it, but can't justify spending $20 on a can of shaving cream! However, I'm really interested to know if their inhibiting gel that is supposed to slow down the growth of hair really works. You should try that next!
Heather October 9, 2012 6:07PM
What does the ingrown hair stuff smell like? I got the pomegrananate body lotion in my Birchbox and while the lotion is nice, it has the WORST sour puke smell of any lotion I have ever smelled! It smells nothing like fruit. I want to try the ingrown stuff but am very afraid.
Belle October 9, 2012 6:59PM
Heather: No discernible smell.
Maharani October 10, 2012 1:36PM
The descriptions on these products always make me roll my eyes. “Willow-bark” sounds soooo…um……natural…..whatever that means…..but why not just shove in some aspirin which is all salicylic acid is-better still, take a couple of Ibuprofen after use-it would probably be more effective at controlling inflammation. After all it IS an anti-inflammatory. I don tthink its the vitamins in the papaya extract which soften follicles, but the papain, which is commonly used as a meat tenderizer. All of these products can be found in a grocery store.
Krysta October 10, 2012 7:26PM
This is available for almost $5 cheaper on Amazon, and if you have Prime it's eligible for free 2-day shipping.
Melissa November 17, 2012 11:37PM
maharani- you do know that aspirin was originally derived from willow bark, right? also, rather than taking aspirin to reduce inflammation that is on the outside of your body in a localized spot, you could just crush up the aspirin and stick it on there. or, just, use the serum.