You don't have to choose between a beard and a face full of red bumps. If you suffer from razor bumps, also known as ingrown hairs, you aren't alone. Ingrown hairs can occur anywhere on the body that you shave, but may be most common in individuals with curly hair. Razor bumps are not a serious medical condition and can be eliminated with home remedies. Consult a doctor before using home remedies to treat your ingrown hairs.
Step 1
Massage the afflicted area with a dry washcloth before shaving, says David Feingold, M.D., chairman of the Department of Dermatology at Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston in "The Doctors Book of Home Remedies." Rubbing the skin exfoliates the skin to release ingrown hairs.
Step 2
Place a warm washcloth over the skin after shaving, recommends GoodHousekeeping.com in "Your Most Embarrassing Skin Issues---Solved." Applying a warm washcloth helps to release fluid that is trapped under the skin, causing irritation.
Step 3
Sterilize a sewing needle in hydrogen peroxide, then carefully lift ingrown hairs out of the irritated hair bumps. Removing the hairs from the skin allows the area to heal more quickly.
Step 4
Stop shaving for several weeks. Taking a break from shaving stops razor irritation and lets ingrown hairs grow out of the skin.
Step 5
Use a different type of razor. If you use only disposable razors, try an electric razor. An electric razor does not provide as close a shave as a manual razor, which may allow your razor bumps to heal.
Tips and Warnings
- Prevent ingrown hairs by shaving with a moisturizing shaving gel.
- Consult a doctor if your razor bumps are particularly painful or swollen.
Things You'll Need
- Washcloth
- Sewing needle
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Electric razor
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