Whether you shave your head, face, legs or pubic area, methods to protect the skin from irritation and infection are necessary. If you get painful red bumps on your skin after hair removal, it is important to understand just what they are and how you can prevent them from coming back.
Identification
Folliculitis is the medical term for the red bumps that appear after hair removal. According to San Francisco State University, the term describes an inflammation of the hair follicle or oil glands from which the hair extends. The red bumps are similar in appearance to acne and often are associated with a burning or stinging of the skin. But unlike acne, which occurs after an oil gland clogs with dirt, oil or dead skin cells, folliculitis is associated with irritation.
Features
Because folliculitis affects the hair follicle, the red bumps that you see after shaving are actually inflamed skin surrounding an ingrown hair. According to Massachusetts General Hospital, an ingrown hair curls and penetrates the skin. Although the red bumps caused by folliculitis can happen anywhere on the body, they occur most often where the beard grows. It is also important to note that the curlier your hair, the more likely you are to develop red bumps after shaving.
Solution
Treating your razor bumps as soon as they occur will help calm your skin and prevent the inflamed follicles from becoming infected. Warm compresses, such as washcloths heated with warm water, can help calm the skin and bring down the swelling. The application of a topical antibiotic ointment can help prevent infection. Medical attention may be necessary if the swelling of folliculitis becomes worse, if pain intensifies or if a fever over 101 degrees Fahrenheit develops.
Prevention
Preparing your skin before shaving can help reduce your chances of developing folliculitis after shaving. Soften your skin and hair with warm water for at least five minutes before shaving, suggests the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology. The application of a shaving cream or gel before shaving can help the razor blade slide smoothly over your skin, reducing the friction that causes folliculitis.
Considerations
If red bumps become a common occurrence after shaving, you may want to consider an alternative form of hair removal. Southwestern Medical Center recommends the use of a depilatory cream or electrolysis to remove unwanted hair if shaving is a problem. While depilatory creams temporarily remove hair at the skin's surface, electrolysis destroys the hair follicle, offering a permanent result. Of course, there is always the option of letting your hair grow, which can eliminate folliculitis occurrences.
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