Safety razors were the next evolutionary step after straight razors. Safety razors encased the shaving blade inside a housing, making it easier to get the correct angle for shaving. Modern disposable safety razors often wrap the blade in a fine wire to prevent it from cutting hair too closely. This can be a benefit if you are plagued with ingrown hairs.
Facts
An ingrown hair is a hair that does not emerge cleanly from its hair follicle but rather emerges and then curls back down and begins to grow into the nearby skin. This creates a raised, red-colored bump that can be uncomfortable or even painful and that is at risk for become infected. Most ingrown hairs can be resolved with simple self-treatment. Ingrown hairs are sometimes called razor bumps.
Significance
Because its blade is wrapped with a fine wire, a safety razor does not cut hair as short as some other razors. Rather than stretching the hair out to cut it below the skin line, the safety razor cuts the hair at the level of the follicle. This makes it more likely that the hair will emerge cleanly and grow up and away from the skin.
Considerations
Ingrown hairs are more common when the hair is thick, coarse and curly. Ingrown hairs are common in men of African or Caribbean descent, although they can affect anyone. Ingrown hairs are more common in the genital area, where hair is commonly coarse and curly.
Treatments
Most ingrown hairs can be resolved with self-treatment: apply a warm, moist compress to the affected area followed by gentle exfoliation as needed. This will usually free the trapped hair and allow it to grow normally. If a hair has been unable to emerge from its follicle and is trapped underneath the skin, you may want to remove it with a pair of sterilized tweezers. Regular exfoliation may help prevent future ingrown hairs.
Identification
Safety razors are usually made of metal and you twist the handle to open the compartment that holds the blade. The razor itself is designed for repeated use, while the blades themselves are disposable. The blade may have a single or double edge. Disposable safety razors designed to prevent ingrown hairs are often marketed as "bump fighters" or "for sensitive skin."
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