Ingrown Hair & Razor Bump Treatment for Women

Razor bumps can occur anywhere that you shave closely such as your bikini line, legs or armpits. They're generally the result of ingrown hair and are most likely when your hair is curly. You can usually treat razor bumps at home, although you may need a dermatologist for severe cases.

Tweezing

A razor bump occurs when a closely shaven hair curls back and begins to grow into the skin. This causes the skin around the hair to become inflamed and swollen, resulting in the razor bump. You may be able to see the ingrown hair with a magnifying glass in some cases. If so, you might be able to pull the free end of the ingrown hair out of your skin without plucking out the root. This treatment is most effective for individual razor bumps.

Healing

The razor bumps can easily be nicked since they are raised areas of skin. The most effective treatment for a large area of razor bumps is to allow the razor bumps to heal before shaving again. You should generally wait at least 2 days before shaving an area affected by razor bumps.

Preparation

You can reduce the chances of nicking razor bumps by preparing your hair for shaving. Soften your hair by soaking it in warm water and applying a shaving gel for sensitive skin. This will make your hair easier to cut and reduce the pressure you'll need to apply while shaving.

Shaving

You should use a new razor after every 10 shaves. Use very slight pressure on the razor and shave in the direction of hair growth. Refrain from stretching or pulling the skin to get a closer shave, as this can increase the chances of a hair becoming ingrown. Avoid using razors with multiple blades, as they may shave the skin too closely.

Aftercare

The pain and irritation of razor bumps can be eased after shaving by applying a lotion or gel containing aloe vera. Some preparations include antibacterial agents to reduce chances of the razor bumps becoming infected.

References

Article reviewed by Mary McNally Last updated on: Jan 23, 2010

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