Known as pseudofolliculitis barbae, razor bumps are a persistent irritation of the skin caused by shaving. Men of African-American descent are more likely to get razor bumps due to their course, curly beards. Razor bumps are similar to pimples and can even cause scarring. According to Dr. Nicholas Perricone, writing for Discovery Health, 60 percent of African Americans and Hispanics and 20 percent of Caucasians suffer from razor bumps.
Allow the Beard to Grow
The American Osteopathic College of Dermatology (AOCD) recommends allowing your beard to grow. Once hairs reach a certain length, they won't grow back ingrown. Avoiding shaving for a few weeks, according to AOCD, is a 100 percent effective treatment for razor burn. If growing a beard is out of the question, shaving every other day will also minimize razor bumps.
Treat Skin
In the mid-1990s, Dr. Perricone had a group of 30 volunteers apply a mixture of lipoic and alpha-hydroxy acid twice daily over a period of eight weeks. The group showed an 80 percent improvement in incidents of pseudofolliculitis barbae. Over-the-counter products containing glycolic acid are available in most pharmacies.
Hot Water
Shave in a hot shower, or press a hot washcloth to your face for about five minutes. Heat will open the pores and soften hair.
Shaving Gel
Pretreat your beard with a lotion containing silicon oils (available in the shaving section of pharmacies). Silicon oils are formulated to soften hair and skin and will reduce the friction caused by the razor blade.
Handle Skin
Shaving technique is an important step in avoiding razor bumps. Shave in the direction the hair grows. Shaving hair against the grain can cause the follicle to grow into the skin. Also, avoid stretching skin while shaving.
Laser Treatment
The Laser and Skin Surgery Center of New York published an article in the November 2000 issue of Archives of Dermatology indicating that patients had a greater than 50 percent improvement in razor bumps after three laser treatments over a period of six to eight weeks. The AOCD suggests undergoing laser treatment when all other avenues have been exhausted. Laser treatment can be expensive and take several sessions, and it involves a small risk of scarring. Many health insurance companies consider such treatments cosmetic and therefore are unlikely to cover them.
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