Razor bumps are little bumps on your skin that appear after shaving. If you’re careless, there is a chance of irritating your skin and making your hair grow inward. The skin gets inflamed, and you get bad-looking, itchy bumps. No need to worry! If you treat them well, the bumps wil07l not have any long-term consequences.
Razor bumps can happen to anybody and on any body part. Although bumps on the facial area are visible, they appear wherever you shave. Men have more trouble with them since they usually shave every day. The facial area is visible and has very sensitive skin. For women, bumps may often appear on the legs and thighs.
As it is a very common occurrence, it is good to know how to get rid of razor bumps. If you want to know how to prevent or treat it, this article explains the most common ways to ease this frustrating condition.
Types and Causes of Razor Bumps
Razor bumps usually appear as a result of skin irritation while shaving. The razor can cut a hair in such a way that it turns back and grows into the skin instead of out. Known as ingrown hair, that causes your body’s defense mechanism to trigger. Same as with any other foreign body below the skin’s surface.
There are two types of razor bumps. In the first case, the hair will invert inside the skin and not exit to the surface (extrafollicular). In the second case, it will grow out and then grow back in (transfollicular).
How to Prevent Them?
Since razor bumps occur after shaving, the best way to prevent them is to shave properly. The shaving conditions should be top-notch if you don’t want to spend the next few days trying to limit the damage.
To minimalize the chances of razor bumps, you should:
- Exfoliate: Dermatologists recommend that you exfoliate your facial area. It will prevent any uncomfortable skin conditions. This process removes the dead cells that make your skin dry and unhealthy. Non-exfoliated areas are more susceptible to razor bumps.
- Heat the shaving area: Warm water, hot towel or steam will open up the pores on your skin. This will make it easier for the hair to come out.
- Apply a thick layer of shaving cream: You may want to massage the cream into the area of the skin you are about the shave. It will improve your blood flow and moisturize the hair.
- Use a sharp razor: Do not use the same razor blade more than 5 times. You can’t be gentle with a blunt razor.
- Be slow and careful when shaving: Sometimes you don’t want to be late and so you shave as quickly as possible. That is a common issue. But, there is a big risk that you will go outside with razor bumps on your skin. Be gentle and slow when you shave. Take whatever time necessary to avoid cuts and irritation.
- Shave in the direction of your hair growth: There is a saying – never go against the grain. If you shave in the opposite direction of your hair growth, the skin’s defense mechanism will resist it. It will irritate your skin and there is a high chance of you ending up with razor bumps.
- When you’re showering, save the shaving for last: Wait for the warm water to moisturize and open up the pores of your skin. It will make your hair softer and easier to cut.
- Press a cold wet cloth to the shaven area: Once you finish shaving, closing the dilated pores can prevent razor bumps. The cold environment makes your pores contract. This will prevent hair or bacteria from finding its way in.
- Don’t use an alcohol-based aftershave: Yes, they smell nice and make you feel comfortable, but alcohol irritates and dries up your skin. Use natural antiseptics like tea tree oil to clean your skin.
How to Treat Them?
Sometimes, even with care and all means of prevention, you can’t stop ingrown hair. Once that happens, you should look at how to get rid of razor bumps. If they appear, it means that the damage is already there. The only thing you can do is to find a way to make them disappear in short notice.
The best way to treat razor bumps is to:
- Soothe the inflammation with natural remedies: Applying aloe vera, chamomile or apple cider vinegar will help you.
- Use antibacterial ingredients to prevent infections and heal your skin: Either natural (tea tree oil) or pharmaceutical (bacitracin and lidocaine) will make it better.
- Get OTC cortisone cream to relieve itch and irritation.
- Use products that contain salicylic or glycolic acid: They get rid of dead skin, clean the pores and release the ingrown hair. You will also use these products while exfoliating.
- Avoid shaving the irritated area: The best way of treating something like this is to leave it to time. If the razor bumps are already there, shaving over them may complicate the issue. They may hurt more and even leave scarring. Be patient and don’t rush the issue. It can get infected.
Should You Visit the Doctor?
Although razor bumps are not life-threatening, there are instances where you should consult your dermatologist.
- If the bumps don’t get better after 3-4 days.
- If the itch or burn becomes worse.
- If you see any signs of infection (pus, redness)
- If the wound is so severe it may leave a scarring
Once you speak to your doctor, he will prescribe the best therapy to ease the condition. It can be an uncomfortable and frustrating experience, but most of the time it doesn’t have any serious consequences.
So, How to Get Rid of Razor Bumps?
By prevention and treatment. As it turns out, there are various natural and pharmaceutical remedies for preventing and alleviating the issue. If you treat your skin well, use quality razors and be careful, you can minimize the chances of ingrown hair and razor bumps.
Even if they do appear, there are ways to ease the condition and to treat it without complications. Sometimes you will have to wait for them to disappear. If you don’t notice any improvement, you may consult your dermatologist who can help you with further treatment.
Now that you have a solution to the problem – nurture your skin and take care of yourself!
References:
https://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/te7545spec
https://www.lifehack.org/385874/10-most-effective-ways-to-get-rid-of-razor-bumps
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17722-ingrown-hair/management-and-treatment
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