After shaving, you may notice a line of red bumps that itch and irritate your skin. These may not be medically dangerous, but they can be unsightly and may become infected if you pick at them or try to shave before they have healed. Certain skin and hair types are more susceptible to these bumps, which are the result of ingrown hairs. A dermatologist can help you treat them if at-home remedies fail.
Identification
Razor burn, razor rash and ingrown hairs caused by shaving are all names for a skin condition medically known as pseudofolliculitis barbae. This is a type of folliculitis, which is characterized by inflamed hair follicles that look like red, itchy bumps. The amount and severity of these bumps depends on your skin sensitivity, type and how badly ingrown your hairs become. The bumps may also become filled with pus and be painful.
Causes
When you shave, you remove the hair slightly below your skin's surface; cutting it off with a razor creates a sharp edge. This blunt hair may curl under the skin and get trapped when it grows back, causing the follicle to become clogged. This will then produce a red bump.
Treatment
Let your hair grow out and your razor burn subside before you remove the hair again. Wash the area with a mild soap and then smooth on a glycolic acid lotion, which will exfoliate your skin and encourage the trapped hairs to emerge, according to DermNet NZ. Once your ingrown hairs are freed and you want to shave, wet your skin thoroughly and apply a moisturizing shaving cream. Use a sharp razor and remove hair in the direction it grows, not against it. Continue to apply the glycolic acid lotion nightly to help keep your follicles clear and keep ingrown hairs from forming.
Considerations
Those with tightly curled hair are more susceptible to razor burn, says MayoClinic.com, and it is therefore more common among African Americans and Hispanics. If you find your hairs become ingrown no matter what you do, ask your doctor about alternative hair removal methods like electrolysis or laser hair removal, which are more permanent solutions, says the American Academy of Dermatology.
Warnings
Though it may be tempting, do not squeeze, pop, scratch or pick at your razor bumps, nor pierce them with a needle or any other sharp object. This can cause bleeding, scarring and may put you at risk for developing a bacterial infection. A doctor can prescribe you a course of antibiotics if your razor rash is severe.
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