Razor bumps are a common problem for both men and women, and can appear anywhere on the body where you shave. When they appear on the face, the medical term is pseudofolliculitis barbae, and when they appear in the pubic region, it is called psuedofolliculitis pubis. According to Columbia University Health Services, razor bumps are particularly common in men of African-Caribbean descent and in people with curly hair, and can be caused by a number of factors.
Improper Shaving
Shaving with a blade razor, particularly against the grain of your hair's growth, removes unwanted hairs but also leaves the hair stubs with very sharp tips, so that when the hairs begin to grow out again, some curl back and pierce your skin with their sharp tips. The body's immune system attacks these intruding hairs as if they were foreign objects, and forms red and inflamed areas that can then become infected with Staphylococcus aureus. This results in itchy skin (known as barber's itch) and small blisters that are often filled with pus, and you have a case of razor bumps.
To remedy this, switch to shaving with an electric razor, which doesn't shave as close, or don't pull your skin while shaving and shave in the direction of the hair's growth.
Excessive Perspiration
Hair follicles can also be infected due to excessive sweating, according to the Mayo Clinic. When you sweat excessively, the bacteria which causes razor bumps can be spread across your shaved areas--the sweat will carry it down from your nasal passages, where it is commonly found--and enter the follicles. Since shaving (particularly with a blade razor) does some damage to hair follicles, they are susceptible to being infected with Staphylococcus aureus, which will leave you with a case of razor bumps.
Clothing and Friction
Tight clothing and friction can also damage hair follicles and lead to razor bumps. If you put on a shirt with a tight collar after shaving your face and neck--or tight-fitting underwear after shaving the bikini area--you risk damaging the hair follicles and leaving them susceptible to infection. Also, if you have a habit of touching your face a lot after shaving, you risk damaging your hair follicles and also spreading the Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, according to Columbia University Health Services.
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