In many countries around the world, girls begin shaving their armpits not long after puberty. The ritual usually continues throughout adult life. Shaving armpits is a straightforward process, but often skin irritation in the form of razor bumps can occur. Using proper technique will help reduce the likelihood of underarm bumps from shaving.
Shaving Process
To shave your armpits with the least chance of skin irritation, do it in the bathtub or shower. Moisten your underarms with warm to hot water to open pores and soften hair, then apply your shave cream or gel. Raise one arm up and gently but firmly run the razor down your armpit from the top to the bottom. Move your arm around slightly to find a position that gives you the most even shaving surface. After each stroke, rinse your razor off to keep it clean and sharp. Blot your armpits with a clean towel when are finished.
Razor Bumps
Sometimes when you shave, the hair follicle will deflect backward and grow back into your skin, says MayoClinic.com. This will result in small red or white razor bumps. Razor bumps can be painful and may be irritated further by clothing rubbing on your underarms or the application of scented deodorant. Shaving creates sharp edges in your hair, which increases the likelihood of an ingrown hair.
Treatments
Several treatments for ingrown hairs may help alleviate the problem. At home, a hot compress can be placed on the irritated area to help open the pores, or you can make slow, circular motions with a wash cloth to try and coax the hair back out. You can also visit your doctor who may prescribe antibiotic cream to prevent infection, retinoid cream to remove dead skin cells or corticosteroid ointment to help control the inflammation.
Alternatives
If shaving your armpits does not appeal to you, but you still want to remove the hair, you have alternatives. You can use over-the-counter depilatory creams that will dissolve the hair so you can just wipe it away. You can apply wax and pull the hairs out that way, or you can schedule an electrolysis session to remove your armpit hair. Electrolysis uses an electrical current to permanently remove the hair so you won't have to worry about shaving or bumps again.
Folliculitis
Folliculitis is an inflammation of the hair follicle that can happen anywhere including your armpits and may result from shaving. With folliculitis, the hair follicles will become damaged from shaving or friction from clothes, then will become infected with staphylococcus. Folliculitis may appear as a rash or pimples in the affected area and can be treated with antibiotics or a hot compress, says the University of Maryland Medical Center.
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