Razor bumps are caused by hair re-emerging after removal and infecting the hair follicle. This is because hair that is cut with a razor has a sharp edge. As it grows back, it can curl and irritate the follicle. The medical term for razor bumps, or ingrown hairs, is pseudofolliculitis barbae. MayoClinic.com states that the condition is common among black men aged 14 to 25, but anyone who removes hair using a temporary method, such as shaving, waxing or depilatory creams, can be affected.
Step 1
Avoid removing hair using a temporary method, and instead consider long-term methods, such as laser removal. Because the hairs don't grow back, they can't irritate the follicle or cause it to become infected.
Step 2
Wait 20 minutes or more after waking to shave. If you do, your skin will be taut, bringing the hairs closer to the skin's surface. Skin is often puffy first thing in the morning.
Step 3
Wet your hair thoroughly with warm water before shaving. This softens the hairs and opens the pores.
Step 4
Wash the area thoroughly with a moisturizing soap or facial cream. This lifts the hair away from the area to be shaved and also exfoliates the skin. Regular soap can be drying, exacerbating the problem.
Step 5
Shave in the direction of the hair growth. Shaving with the hair growth means that hair is more likely to grow in straight, rather than curling back into itself.
Step 6
Apply a warm towel after shaving. This helps calm inflammation caused by shaving.
Step 7
Exfoliate the shaved area regularly. Exfoliation helps remove the dead skin layers that the hair may be looping back into, causing razor bumps. It also helps prevent razor bumps by gently massaging the skin and keeping the hair follicle moist.
Things You'll Need
- Moisturizing soap
- Facial cream
- Towel
- Exfoliating product
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