Underarm razor bumps can leave you feeling uncomfortable in a strapless dress, or less than gorgeous in a bikini. Stubble and bumps can make you look as though you have dark underarms even immediately after shaving. To keep your underarms looking smooth, the way that you shave may be as important as the products that you use. Leading beauty experts have the tips to prevent razor bumps on the underarms, so that you feel confident and beautiful, no matter what you're wearing.
Step 1
Soak your underarms by applying a warm washcloth the area for two or three minutes, or shave only after showering, suggests dermatologist John McShefferty, president of the Gillette Research Institute to MotherNature.com. Warm water softens the hairs for easier shaving.
Step 2
Apply a good-quality shave gel to the area, warns beauty website BellaSugar.com. The razors typically used for shaving can remove the top layer of skin, resulting in bumps and irritation. A thick shave gel helps to cushion the skin and protect it from the harmful pull of the razor. Shaving without shave gel, lotion or foam can leave you bumpy and sore.
Step 3
Choose a sharp razor with three or fewer blades. While the new generation of razors has four and five blades, dermatologist Carolyn Jacob tells Redbook magazine that they pull the hair while cutting it, which means the hair is cut below the surface of the skin. This leaves you more susceptible to ingrown hairs, as the hair curls back and fails to puncture the skin's surface. A sharp, basic blade is best; it'll cut at the skin's surface with less drag and irritation.
Step 4
Shave with the grain as you drag the blade across your underarm. You may need to feel the hair first to decide which way the hair grows. While shaving against the grain may net you smooth results, it irritates the skin and forces small hairs back into the surface of the skin, which could cause ingrown hairs and bumps.
Step 5
Apply the right type of antiperspirant after shaving. A study performed by Unilever Research & Development, with the results published in a 2007 issue of "The International Journal of Cosmetic Science" found that antiperspirants that used sunflower oil and glycerol as ingredients caused less irritation when used immediately after shaving. Look for an antiperspirant with moisturizing ingredients alongside active ingredients for sweat relief and less bumps.
Things You'll Need
- Washcloth
- Water
- Razor
- Shave gel
- Antiperspirant
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