Shaving is meant to leave you with a smooth, hairless face but it can instead result in little red bumps. Some people are more prone to the bumps than others, including those with the thick, curly facial hair often common in those of African-Caribbean decent. Several methods can be utilized to both treat and prevent these bumps.
Characteristics
Red bumps that appear on the face after shaving are generally small, but often come with great pain and itchiness, the Mayo Clinic warns. Ingrown hairs or barber's rash are the two main causes usually behind the red bumps. Sometimes the bumps contain pus, and can break open and become crusty. The surrounding facial skin is sometimes tender, swollen or a bit darker than the rest of the skin.
Ingrown Hair
Ingrown hairs can occur on the face or anywhere else you shave, Go Ask Alice and KidsHealth explain. Ingrown hairs that appear on the face are also known as razor burn, although their technical name is pseudofolliculitis barbae. They appear when a cut hair cannot push through the outer layer of skin during its growth; instead, it starts to grow into the skin or back into the follicle. Very close shaving and clogged pores often lead to this condition.
Barber's Rash
Barber's rash is another possibility when it comes to red bumps appearing on your face after shaving, Go Ask Alice says. The condition is a symptom of bacteria known as Staphylococcus aureus. The bacteria, which is common in most nasal passages, sometimes gets into, and subsequently infects, hair follicles. Your razor is the likely culprit, as it can move the bacteria around your face. The infection frequently results in a rash, itchy red bumps or blisters filled with pus.
Treatment
Getting rid of the red bumps involves a few different treatments, depending on the cause. Treat ingrown hairs by letting your facial hair grow out for at least three weeks. This lets the ingrown hairs lengthen enough to pop out from under your skin. If barber's rash is to blame, apply a topical treatment of Benzoyl peroxide to get rid of the bacteria. If an over-the-counter medication doesn't work, pay a visit to your doctor. She can prescribe a different topical treatment or antibiotics effective for stubborn infections.
Prevention
A few different shaving methods work to prevent red bumps in the first place. Shaving in the direction of the hair's growth, rather than against it, helps to stop shortened hairs from curling under or becoming trapped beneath your skin. Using a shaving cream or gel also works, as does first softening your facial skin with warm water or shaving after or during a shower. Keeping your razor clean and sharp, both by rinsing it well after each shave and replacing the blade at least once a week, also helps.
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