Women's Health reports that 73 percent of women remove leg hair at least three times a week during the summer. Shaving sometimes causes unsightly bumps, which have the potential to develop into a more serious condition such as folliculitis when the bumps become infected. Luckily, there are home remedies and practices you can use to minimize shaving bumps and to treat bumps if they do occur. Consult your doctor if the bumps become severely inflamed.
Causes
Shaving bumps result from a variety of causes. Sometimes the emerging hairs curl in and are pushed into the skin as they grow, causing ingrown hairs accompanied by small bumps. Tightly fitting leggings can aggravate the condition, pressing hairs back into the skin. Other times, your razor may pull hairs instead of cutting them cleanly, causing your skin to become bumpy and irritated. According to the MayoClinic.com, some medical conditions, such as acne or dry skin, put you at greater risk for developing folliculitis.
Treating Bumps
Relieve the itching from mild skin bumps and folliculitis by applying a warm, moist compress soaked in water or white vinegar. Over-the-counter creams such as hydrocortisone or calamine can also help to soothe your skin. To keep the bumps from becoming infected, wash your skin gently twice a day with a mild antibacterial soap and apply a thin coat of antibiotic ointment, using a clean washcloth and towel each time. Wash your towels and affected clothing with hot water to kill lingering bacteria.
Shaving Frequency
According to Women's Health, approximately 30 percent of your hair follicles have hair above the skin line at any given time. This means that hairs emerge every day. Shaving every day, whether or not you actually see the hairs, helps to prevent both ingrown hairs and pulling instead of cutting from occurring and is the best way to avoid shaving bumps. If you shave your legs daily, you can use one razor blade for four to five months without changing it and you'll be able to use plain soap instead of shaving cream.
How to Shave
Soften your hair before shaving by showering. Women can shave in the shower and men can shave immediately after showering. Spread soap or shaving lotion over your face or legs to help you see where you have shaved and to help the razor move more freely. Try to shave areas that have a flat surface by pulling your skin taut and letting your leg dangle to change the surface dimension. Kids Health recommends shaving in the direction that hair is growing. Experiment with shaving in different directions to see what works best for you.
Tips
Shaving with a sharp blade reduces the chances of pulling hairs instead of cutting them cleanly and can also minimize scrapping and irritating your skin. Rinse your razor frequently to keep the blade at its sharpest. Use mild hydrating creams between shaves to keep your skin moist and prevent future irritations from developing.
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