Razor bumps are annoying, small bumps of skin irritation caused by shaving. Women often get razor bumps along the bikini line and in the armpit area after shaving. Razor bumps makes the area look red and inflamed, and can be itchy and painful. Proper shaving techniques can help women prevent razor bumps.
Step 1
Lather the area that you want to shave with a shaving gel or cream in the shower. Shaving with only water does not provide enough lubrication to the razor blade. Columbia University’s Go Ask Alice health answering service explains that moisturizing the area before you start to shave can prevent razor bumps.
Step 2
Shave in the direction of hair growth in the specific area. Columbia University’s Go Ask Alice service states that in women, hair on the body usually grows downward. Yet since every woman is different, make sure to look at the way your hair is growing before you start shaving. You may even need to shave in several directions. Shaving only in the direction of hair growth helps to prevent razor bumps.
Step 3
Change the razor blade every week or at the first signs of dullness or rust. When a razor is dull or rusted, it can irritate the skin and even spread bacteria. Changing the razor blade every week decreases the risk of razor bumps, states Columbia University. Drying the razor when you get out of the shower will prevent it from rusting as well.
Step 4
Exfoliate the areas that you shave at least once a week. Exfoliators, which contain mildly abrasive ingredients such as sugar granules, can be purchased over-the-counter from most drugstores or grocery stores. Dermatologist Audrey Kunin states on her website, DermaDoctor, that rubbing an exfoliator on your body in the shower one to two days a week can remove some of the dead skin cells on the top layer of skin and decrease the chances of razor bumps when shaving.
Step 5
Consider using an over-the-counter product designed to treat razor bumps. Creams and lotions with ingredients such as benzyl peroxide can decrease the amount of bacteria present on the skin can reduce inflammation, according to Columbia University’s Go Ask Alice health answering system. Dr. Audrey Kunin states that women with severe razor bumps can go to their dermatologists to get a prescription cream, if necessary.
Things You'll Need
- Shaving gel or cream
- Clean, sharp razor
- Exfoliator
- Razor-bump cream or lotion
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