Razor bumps, and how to prevent them!

Ingrown hairs can usually form as a result of a poorly executed hair removal procedure. The hair shaft has been removed but the hair root is still anchored in the skin causing razor bumps.

4 minute read

We’ve all at least once or a few times more, have had that pesky little razor bumps – only to squeeze it and have a rather impressively long hair strand sprout out the pore. Razor bumps are the after-effects of shaving, waxing or plucking and can occur quite frequently on the body where hair is constantly being removed. Razor bumps are ingrown hairs that when removed, skin cells grow over the hair, becomes trapped and causes that unsightly bump to form. Unlike acne or pimples, razor bumps will remain on the area until the hair is removed or extracted whereas, an untreated acne pimple will disappear in a couple of weeks. So how do we prevent razor bumps from forming and causing dermatological havoc?! Continue reading to find some prevention tips. Now let’s get into it.

1.    Tweeze

Ingrown hairs can usually form as a result of a poorly executed hair removal procedure. The hair shaft has been removed but the hair root is still anchored in the skin. More than likely, this would occur from shaving as razors do not remove the hair roots. Hence, as a guy you may experience a lot of ingrowns and razor bumps on your beard and neck area. Its impractical to sit and tweeze every single hair strand from your face but passing your hand on the surface of the skin and feeling for any hair strands that are slightly in-out of the skin are suitable candidates to be removed. This is more applicable to waxing but its not impossible that it can happen from shaving as well.

2.    Get wet

When shaving, ensure that the area is wet and lubricated with a shave gel or mousse. Getting the hairs and skin wet will help to ensure a closer shave and significantly eliminate the potential of any hairs being missed, as is the case for a dry shave or a shave done with a dull or inferior razor. Personally, I prefer to use gel-based shaving creams because I like to see the area that I’m working on. Also, mousses or those foaming formulas do not provide the kind of concentrated moisturisation that a gel would. In fact, some foaming creams may actually be so light and fluffy that it doesn’t help you get that nice close shave. A gel-based shaving cream with aloe would be your best bet.

3.    Go with the grain

It’s a popular “rule” that you have to shave against the grain or in the opposite direction of the growth pattern of your hair – but this is probably the cause of your razor bumps in the first place! When you shave against the grain, the blade of the razor usually “pulls” the hair before slicing through it thereby, causing the hair to stick and grow under the skin. Shaving with the grain does the opposite and it could give you a really close shave depending on the quality of the razor. Gillette has an excellent tutorial on helping you find your grain and how to shave with the grain.

4.    Don’t skip the aftershave

We both are guilty of foregoing aftershave. I oftentimes “forget” to use it but it’s a crucial tactic in razor-bump prevention. Here’s how it works. First, aftershaves are not only used for the scent as you would have received one with a cologne package. Kenneth Cole anyone? They contain skin soothing ingredients like astringents, a gentle alcohol or witch hazel which prevents irritation and a light disinfectant to any micro-cuts and bleeding. Moreover, a good aftershave provides the skins with much needed moisture and balance so that dirt, oil and dead skin cells do not plague the surface area and induce razor bumps. Not all aftershaves are created equally though. Those same highly perfumed aftershaves that come alongside your cologne packages may be a bad idea because of the alcohol and harsh chemicals that are used to create the scent and can irritate the skin even more. Look for an aftershave with natural ingredients like aloe, witch hazel or tea tree oil.

5.    Scrub away dead skin cells

Two or three days after you’ve shaved (or removed har) – or when the skin is healed from any irritation and cuts – use a scrub to exfoliate any dead skin cells that would accumulate over the skin and over the pores of hair. A big contributing factor of razor bumps are dead skin cells that clog the hair and prevents it from growing on top of the skin as opposed to under. The best solution is to use a gentle exfoliating scrub. Sugar, salt and ground fruit pit-based scrubs may be too rough for the skin and cause tears, and micro cuts to an already sensitive skin area. This is a great follow-up method to prevent razor bumps because it would help keep the top layer of skin fresh and allow hairs to grow out, undisturbed. Not to mention, your overall skin health will improve by exfoliating.