If you’re prone to getting razor bumps, you’re probably interested in getting rid of razor bumps.
Red bumps from shaving are like little minefields on your face that put you at risk for more serious issues. Shave bumps can quickly lead to bad razor burn if you aren’t stocked with a bag of tricks the next time you shave. Shaving bumps are unsightly, uncomfortable, and thankfully, entirely avoidable.
In this article, we’ll teach you about how to get rid of shaving bumps, how to get rid of razor burn, and how to prevent razor bumps in the first place so that you won’t need to ever worry about the prior two.
Razor bumps are a result of curly hair poking back into the skin as it grows, causing irritation. Much like razor bumps are razor burns, which are acute skin irritation reactions to shaving without sufficient lubrication. Let’s start with how to prevent razor bumps, and we’ll get into how to remove razor bumps later on.
First off, stop shaving. If you’re consistently getting razor bumps—especially pubic razor bumps—you’re probably shaving too frequently. Refraining from shaving for a few weeks will give your skin time to heal bikini line razor burns, and leave you in better shape the next time you need to shave.
But what if you can’t stop shaving, or are unwilling to have unsightly hairs stick around? Have no fear; we’ll discuss a few other tricks for how to avoid razor bumps and how to prevent razor burn in the bikini area.
Exfoliation of the area to shave is a great trick that will help prevent razor bumps. Exfoliation unclogs your pores and dislodges dead skin, which reduces the irritation during shaving. Exfoliation is especially important when dealing with razor bumps in the pubic area or the razor bump on the bikini line.
These areas typically don’t get exfoliated enough, and they’re infrequently shaved. Using a loofah and an exfoliating cream before shaving will do your skin a load of good and prevent ingrown hairs and subsequent irritation to boot. For many people, exfoliation is the best razor bumps cure.
Reducing the irritation during shaving will also be helped by using a sharp razor. If you use a dull razor, the razor will be ever so slightly colliding with your skin’s surface, jerking back, and then being pushed forward again with each pass of the razor. You won’t be able to feel the problem with dull razors for yourself until you get the characteristic rows of irritated papules characteristic of razor burn.
Sharp razors glide smoothly over your skin’s surface, and won’t cause undue irritation of your skin.
Shaving in the shower is a great way to prevent razor burn because the added moisture will prevent your skin from drying out while being shaved, and thus prevent additional irritation. You’ll also be able to immediately wash off the area that was shaved, which will keep the tiny hair shavings from becoming embedded in your sensitive skin and causing further irritation.
An article about how to prevent razor bumps wouldn’t be complete without this one very basic suggestion: shave with the grain of your hair rather than against it. By shaving with the grain, you reduce the friction that your razor encounters, thus reducing the irritation characteristic of razor bumps.
Your shave won’t be as close if you go with the grain, but your skin will thank you.
Dry skin is harmed much more by the friction of a razor passing over it, which causes the skin to become more irritated. Well moisturized skin is less irritated in general, which is a bonus. You may have trouble shaving if you moisturize immediately before shaving, though, so give it a few hours to sink in.
If you’re currently suffering from razor bumps or razor burns, there are a few razor bump cures and cures for razor burns too. Thankfully, most of these cures are easy to implement at home with materials that you probably have already.
Using a hot compress is a great way to ease razor burns, but not so much for razor bumps. Heat up a towel with hot water—not boiling—then apply it to the burned area for 10 minutes. You can repeat this treatment as frequently as you want.
Witch Hazel is a popular astringent which you can use as an extract to dab razor bumps and reduce them quickly. Dab a few drops of witch hazel onto a cotton ball, and wipe it gently into the razor bumps.
Aloe Vera has many uses and is well known for its soothing and cooling effect on the skin. These properties make it ideal for use in razor burn or razor bumps. Doctors approve of using an aloe vera gel on razor burns because of their general utility in treating burns and other irritated skin. Just purchase a commercially available gel and rub it into the affected area once per day.
Tea tree oil is a lesser known but very effective way of reducing skin irritation. Use a few drops of oil soaked into a cotton ball to apply it gently to the bumped areas, and wash it off after 10 minutes.
Lemon juice’s acidity can sometimes help to shrink razor bumps, but won’t do much for razor burns. Depending on your skin, lemon juice might make your razor bumps worse, so tread carefully. A good starting point is to make a 50% water and 50% lemon juice solution and rub a few drops of it onto your razor bumps.
If it stings, make a new solution with less lemon juice. There’s a good chance that if you have sensitive skin, lemon juice won’t be the right treatment for you.
White tea contains a galaxy of beneficial chemicals which you can use to calm down irritated skin and shrink razor bumps. There are a few different ways you can use white tea to reduce razor bumps, but soaking a tea bag of white tea in cool water and holding it to your razor bumps for 10 minutes is a good place to start.
The coldness of the tea bag will help to calm irritation and shrink razor bumps on its own, and the compounds in the tea should leach through and take care of the rest.
Baby powder’s astringent properties and rash-prevention ability are also useful for razor bumps and razor burn. As a bonus, baby powder will clean the bumpy area and make it smell nice. Buy some baby powder and slather a small handful onto the bumps. Wash it off after half an hour.
Baby powder has the advantage of being extremely gentle on your skin, so it’s probably the best method for removing razor bumps in people whose skin is exceptionally sensitive.
Try not to inhale any while you are applying the powder to your affected areas.
For instances of razor burn where the primary irritant is dryness, coconut oil can be a useful tool. Coconut oil will instantly moisturize the bumpy or burnt area and protect the area from further irritation. Start with one capful of oil, and rub it on the irritated areas.
Coconut oil won’t irritate even the most sensitive skin, but it might make your skin a bit greasy if you apply too much.
Apple cider vinegar may act as an astringent for razor bumps in certain situations, but it may make razor burns worse. Make a solution of 10% vinegar and 90% water, then use a soaked cotton ball to rub it into the areas that need help. Be sure to wash it off after a couple of minutes or immediately if you feel anything burning.
Cucumber’s cool and soft texture can help to calm a razor burn or shrink razor bumps, but it’s probably not the first treatment you should reach for because of its gentle effects. Take a fresh cucumber out of the fridge, and cut a thick slice. Apply it to your irritated or bumpy areas until it’s room temperature, then get another.
Now that you’ve explored some of the best ways on how to prevent razor bumps, you might be considering purchasing a new razor that won’t damage or irritate your skin. If so, here are some features to look for and important factors to consider in your new razor.
As we previously mentioned that moisture is important for preventing razor bumps, there are many razors that come with moisturizing elements. Fortunately, these units remain lubricated while you’re shaving to prevent irritating your sensitive skin.
If you purchase a razor with added moisture on it, consider that you don’t need to purchase shaving cream. However, these razors need replacing more often than use without.
This is probably one of the most important parts of a shaver. Search for a design that perfectly fits the contours of the areas you’ll use it. A flexible shaving head adjusts to the curves of your body and is great for using the shaver on all areas. A curved head provides a closer shave so you don’t have to rub and pull your skin to remove hairs. As a result, this leads to fewer razor bumps.
Some of the best razors come with multiple cutting elements that allow you to reach long or short hairs in multiple directions. The best units usually come equipped with four cutting blades that are made from materials such as stainless steel for a durable product.
Finally, power is an important component of achieving a close shave without leaving any razor bumps. Opt for a razor that has continuous power to produce over 10,000 oscillations every minute. This way, the shaver does the work for you so you don’t have to rub your skin.
Using these treatments will help you master the nuances of how to prevent razor bumps and how to get rid of razor bumps once they’re established. You should be able to combine most of these treatments together for added results if you find more than one that works for you. Likewise, keep trying out new treatments until you find one that works for your razor bumps.
There’s no single superior method when it comes to how to prevent razor bumps—everything depends on your skin and your body chemistry. Hang in there while trying out new treatments, and remember that anything that reduces your skin’s irritation is a useful tool for preventing or curing your razor bumps or razor burns.
