Home Remedies To Clear Up Razor Bumps

Razor bumps, also referred to as "razor burn," are skin irritations that appear on the skin after shaving. Razor bumps are usually itchy and show up as a series of reddish bumps, or raised areas, on the skin, usually about as big around as the tip of an ink pen. They are most likely to appear in sensitive areas, such as the bikini area, and are sometimes caused by dull razor blades. A variety of home remedies are thought to be effective at easing razor bumps.

Herbal Skin Wash

Create an herbal skin wash using common herbs, such as chamomile and marigold. Razor-burn.com recommends mixing 1 tsp. of chamomile and 1 tsp. of marigold in a cup of hot water. Chamomile alone can be used in this remedy. However, adding marigold substantially boosts the healing ability of the skin wash. Allow the mixture to cool to a comfortable temperature and apply to the affected area. You can purchase chamomile and marigold as bulk, dry herbs online and at many specialty and health food stores. You can also use dried herbs right from your own herb garden.

Essential Oils

Use essential oils to reduce the appearance of unsightly razor bumps and to soothe itchy, irritated skin after shaving. According to "The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils," by Julia Lawless, sandalwood is often used in aftershaves and is effective in easing inflammation and razor bumps.
Tea tree oil also has a soothing effect on the skin and can aid in relieving the inflammation, redness and itching caused by shaving. According to "The Aromatherapy Bible," by Gill Farrer-Halls, tea tee oil has antiseptic properties that aid in fighting off infection.

Witch Hazel

Witch hazel provides another option for reducing the appearance of razor bumps. According to "The Healing Herbs," by Michael Castleman, witch hazel is one of the most commonly used healing herbs, with over 1 million gallons per year sold in the United States alone.
Methodsofhealing.com suggests applying witch hazel oil immediately before and after shaving to prevent the appearance of razor bumps. Witch hazel can be purchased online or at most local health food and specialty stores. It is available as a liquid, in a pad and in a stick. A variety of over-the-counter skin care products contain witch hazel.