They are painful, they itch, they burn and they look awful on the bikini area. The annoying little bumps that form after using a razor are irritating but preventable with a few simple steps. Using proper disinfection methods, taking a few simple precautions and using a few extra products helps maintain smooth skin after shaving.
Soften and Disinfect
Step 1
Start with a clean razor. Clean your razor after each use, rinsing with a rubbing alcohol to keep the blades clean and disinfected. This helps remove bacteria, the presence of which is one reason the bumps form. Discard disposable razors or change blades weekly.
Step 2
Soften skin before shaving by soaking in warm water. The water should be comfortable. A suitable temperature is a tolerable warmth appropriate for soaking in a tub. Soak for five minutes to soften skin.
Step 3
Scrub the skin before shaving with an antibacterial abrasive soap or body scrub. According to Dr. Allison Vidimos, M.D., staff dermatologist at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, scrubbing the skin reduces bacteria as well as potential irritation from shaving. Scrub the skin after shaving too.
Step 4
Use thick shaving lotion to keep the skin moistened while shaving and help prevent irritation. Shaving gel works fine too. Experiment with gel and lotion to see which works best.
Step 5
Shave in the direction the hair grows. This can be tricky and takes time to observe the hair growth pattern. If a person shaves against the growth direction, the hair follicle, the pore where the hair grows, becomes irritated and infected with bacteria when hair is pulled out abruptly and bumps will form.
Step 6
Apply an astringent to the skin after shaving. Any store bought astringent formula will work. Or cut a lemon in half and squeeze the juice out of the lemon and apply it to the shaved area. Yes, it hurts but the astringent helps reduce the inflammation and helps prevent razor bumps from forming. Follow with body lotion to soothe skin.
Tips and Warnings
- Dr. Vidimos also suggests applying an over-the counter cortisone cream to the shaved area after shaving to help prevent razor bumps from forming.
Things You'll Need
- Shaving cream
- Moisturizing Lotion
- Exfoliating scrub or soap
- Lemon juice
- Astringent
- Rubbing alcohol
- Hydro-cortisone cream
Member Comments