Men with natural curly or course hair may suffer from painful or irritating bumps after shaving. This condition, known as pseudofolliculitis, occurs when coarse, wavy hairs get trapped below the skin after shaving. Razor bumps not only impact your appearance, but, if scratched, these bumps may lead to infection or scars over time. Fortunately, a variety of simple treatments may offer relief.
Step 1
Stop shaving for three to four weeks to give skin time to recover. Cut hair with an electric trimmer during this time if desired, but keep hairs at least 1/4-inch long to prevent new razor bumps from forming.
Step 2
Hold a rag or towel under hot water to create a warm compress. Place this compress on your razor bump to reduce irritation and relieve swelling. Repeat three times a day until the bump has disappeared.
Step 3
Apply a 1 percent hydrocortisone cream to your razor bumps once a day to relieve itching and irritation. Dab the cream onto the bumps using freshly-washed hands or a clean cotton swab.
Step 4
Pour a small amount of benzoyl peroxide onto a cotton ball and gently wipe your razor bump. Benzoyl peroxide kills bacteria and prevents infection, which can help bumps fade more quickly.
Step 5
Dislodge the embedded hair from the bump using a sterilized needle or tweezers. Very gently work the tip of the hair out of the bump, but do not attempt to pluck or remove the hair entirely. Avoid digging into or irritating the bump during this process.
Tips and Warnings
- Prevent razor bumps in the future by using plenty of shave gel and shaving in the same direction as hair growth. If the problem persists, consider laser hair removal to eliminate the need for shaving. Talk to your doctor about medications that can help treat razor bumps. Some products speed healing, while others assist with prevention.
- See your doctor if bumps appear infected or severely inflamed.
Things You'll Need
- Electric trimmer
- Cloths or compresses
- Hydrocortisone cream
- Needle or tweezers
- Benzoyl peroxide
- Cotton balls
- Cotton swab
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