Razor burn or bumps are a form of skin irritation usually resulting from shaving. Shaving is a ritual done for aesthetic purposes and sometimes done in a rush, which increases the risk of razor burn and bumps. Dr. Patricia Farris-Walters, a clinical assistant professor of dermatology at Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans and a spokesperson for the American Academy of Dermatology, notes that razor burn is hard to get rid of, and every time you shave again, you risk re-irritating the skin. Home remedies are available to help treat razor burn and bumps, but they are not a substitute for medical treatment; consult with your health care provider to discuss any potential risks.
Shaving Techniques
Changing your shaving routine and techniques can help minimize the risk of skin irritation. According to the MayoClinic.com, applying a warm compress to your skin, or shaving after a warm bath or shower, can help to soften the hair and moisten the skin. This reduces the risk of irritating the skin when running the razor over your skin.
Dr Farris-Walters suggests shaving your hairs in the direction it naturally grows and in a downward motion to reduce irritation hair follicles. If you shave upwards, this may irritate the hair follicles and cause skin irritation.
Hydrocortisone
To help to relieve the redness and irritation from razor bumps and burn, you can try using hydrocortisone cream after you shave. Dr. Evelyn Placek, a dermatologist and doctor of internal medicine in New York, says it will take the redness, sting and irritation right down from constricting the blood vessels and lessening blow flow to the area. However, hydrocortisone is only for short-term use because adverse effects can occur if you use the cream for more than a few days.
Aloe
Aloe is a healing agent and used in alternative medicine for the treatment of burns, injuries, skin irritation, inflammation and pain, according to Clayton College of Natural Health. You can try using fresh aloe or aloe gel and apply it to the razor burn or bumps. In addition, Dr. Placek suggests that using a shaving cream with aloe instead of soap might reduce the risk of razor irritation.
Benzoyl Peroxide
If you are searching for a long-term home treatment, Dr. Placek mentions using topical acne preparations, or shaving cream, that contain 2.5 percent or 5.0 percent of benzoyl peroxide. If you are prone to razor irritation, use the topical solution every time you shave to minimize razor bumps.
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