Shaving is a regular part of the morning routine for many men. However, depending on how the type of hair you grow on your face, you may be at a higher risk for developing razor bumps. Razor bumps occur when a freshly shaved hair grows back into the follicle, causing an ingrown hair. The ingrown hair causes inflammation to occur around the hair follicle, resulting in small red bumps. These bumps can be prevented through changing up your morning shave routine.
Step 1
Shower for at least 5 minutes before you shave. Showering softens your beard hairs and helps open up your pores, preventing ingrown hairs from forming
Step 2
Rub a warm wet washcloth gently across the area to be shaved in a circular motion. The warmth of the washcloth helps open up your pores while the motion of the washcloth helps free up the hair tips before shaving. This is helpful when you do not have enough time to shower in the morning.
Step 3
Apply a high-quality shaving gel instead of a cream, suggests MayoClinic.com. Shaving gel helps lubricate the surface of your skin and hair stands, reducing the drag as your razor passes across the skin. This can prevent ingrown hairs and the resulting razor bumps.
Step 4
Run the shaver with the grain of your hair. When you cut against the grain you create pull, which can coax the cut hair into the follicle.
Step 5
Replace your shaving blades on a regular basis. Dull razors drag the skin and hair as they cut, which can coax cut hair strands back into the follicles. Dull razors also increase your risks for shaving nicks and cuts. Consider a single blade razor as well which leaves the hair a little longer on the face, reducing the chances of ingrown hairs.
Step 6
Slow down when you shave. Take your time when passing the razor across your face. This prevents pulling of the skin as you shave and also reduces your chances of cutting the skin instead of the hair strands.
Step 7
Apply a cold compress after shaving and apply an aftershave product specifically designed to prevent shave bumps. The cold compress will help reduce the size of pores, preventing fresh-cut hairs from growing back into them. Aftershave liquids, lotions or creams are important as they moisturize the face and often contain cooling agents, such as peppermint, to reduce any irritation created while shaving.
Tips and Warnings
- If you continue to get shave bumps, consider changing to an electric shaver which does not cut the hair as close to the skin.
Things You'll Need
- Shaving gel
- Single blade razor
- Wash cloth
- Aftershave lotion
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