You have your shaving routine nailed down to a T. You have done the same routine time and time again, but no matter how careful you are, you still are getting razor bumps.
So how can I get rid of razor bumps once and for all? Razor bumps are not just a byproduct of bad luck; rather, razor bumps can happen for a variety of reasons. Some of which are entirely out of your control.
In a surprising study done by the American Academy of Dermatology, over 78% of men experienced some irritation as a result of shaving. A similar study by the Journal of Investigative Dermatology found that men with curly facial hair are over 50 times more likely to suffer from razor bumps.
Since leaving razor bumps untreated on your skin can leave permanent scarring, it is incredibly important to know how to get rid of razor bumps once and for all. With these surprising facts, no wonder many are left trying to discover an immediate solution on how to get rid of their razor bumps problem once and for all. At Jaxson Maximus, we are here to help. Our team of salon industry experts have put together this fantastic guide on how to get rid of razor bumps once and for all quickly.
WHAT ARE RAZOR BUMPS?
Although you might mistake razor bumps for acne based on their appearance, they are inherently different. Razor bumps, also known as pseudofolliculitis barbae or more commonly razor burn, are small bumps that develop on the surface of the skin after shaving. If left untreated razor bumps can develop into hyperpigmentation or permanent scar tissue.
Razor bumps are classified into two categories: extrafollicular and transfollicular.
In an extrafollicular case, hair follicles grow inwards on themselves. Instead of exiting the skin, these hair follicles are left trapped inside the skin.
In a transfollicular razor bump case, hair exits the skin’s bottom later but stays trapped on the top towards the surface, leaving a small amount of hair exposed. In the transfollicular case, you might be tempted to pluck out the remaining hair with a pair of tweezers, but resist the urge. Plucking these hairs can lead to further irritation and could transform the hair follicle into a deep and painful ingrown hair.
HOW DO I KNOW IF I HAVE RAZOR BUMPS OR A BREAKOUT?
Razor bumps are a bi-product of shaving. When a hair follicle is cut off right at the point where it extends beyond the skin’s outermost layer, it can curl back inwards to the skin. These curled back hairs cause the hair follicle to become ingrown in the skin causing further irritation and swelling. The swelling of the hair follicle turns into a small red bump on your skin appearing similar to a small pimple.
In addition to shaving, ingrown hairs can develop if you have used other methods to remove facial hair such as plucking or waxing. Due to their appearance, some might be tempted to pick at these small red bumps mistaking them for acne.
Just like acne, ingrown hairs hurt! However, unlike acne, ingrown hairs are not formed by pore blockage. Although acne can develop on the area where you shave, the most common way to identify razor bumps is to watch your skin immediately after you shave to see if you develop any redness or irritation.
You might have razor bumps if you have:
- Swelling
- Tenderness of the skin
- Itchiness
- Red bumps in the areas you shaved
- Inflammation
If left untreated, ingrown hairs can become infected. This condition is known as folliculitis. If you do not notice any significant changes or if the skin becomes more irritated, seek professional medical treatment.
11 TIPS ON HOW TO GET RID OF RAZOR BUMPS QUICKLY
1) DON’T SHAVE YOUR SKIN FOR AT LEAST 2-3 DAYS
Depending on how your skin looks after a few days have passed, refrain from shaving to prevent any further irritation. One of the worst things that could happen is going over an infected area with a razor. Similar to acne breakout, you might be spreading harmful bacteria to other areas of your face causing further irritation.
2) APPLY A WARM TOWEL TO THE INFECTED AREA
Immediately after you start feeling any irritation on the skin, apply a hot towel soaked in water for 10-15 minutes. The heat from the towel will cause the razor bumps to shrink along with killing harmful bacteria. Repeat as often as needed to reduce further tenderness.
3) DON’T PICK AT YOUR RAZOR BUMPS!
Probably the most crucial tip for further reducing the effects of razor bumps. As tempting as it might be to pick at the small bumps, avoid doing it. Razor bumps are not acne and will not secrete any white puss. The only thing that will be accomplished by picking at your razor bumps is leaving behind a scar. By continually picking at your skin, you are spreading harmful bacteria around the bumps preventing your skin’s natural healing process.
If you are looking for the number one tip on how to get rid of razor bumps, don’t pick at them!
4) PUT A CORNSTARCH OR BAKING SODA MASK ON THE INFECTED AREA
Commonly used in baking, cornstarch and baking soda have been used as a natural treatment for a variety of skin ailments such as acne. An effective recipe we found for preventing razor bumps is to mix 1 cup of lukewarm water with 1 tablespoon of baking soda or cornstarch. Leave the mixture on for about 20 minutes or until the mixture fully dries. Repeat up to twice a day until your razor bumps have entirely disappeared.
5) ALOE VERA
Aloe Vera is a common ingredient used in many medical creams for burns, cuts, and scrapes. Evidence has shown that aloe vera’s powerful enzymes help to reduce inflammation making it an effective treatment for razor bumps as well as minor injuries.
The most effective way to use aloe vera is to squeeze the gel directly from the plant onto the skin. If you do not have aloe leafs available to you, there are many commercially available products that you can pick up from any convenience store that will do just the trick.
6) APPLY ASTRINGENT LIQUIDS DIRECTLY TO THE SKIN
Applying astringent liquids has been one of the most common at-home remedies for reducing the effects of razor burn. Astringent liquids help to reduce inflammation of the skin later assisting the skin in reducing the effects of razor burn.
Some of the most common types of astringent liquids are:
- Apple cider vinegar
- Tea tree oil
- Witch hazel
- Black brewed tea
We recommend applying these liquids using a cotton pad or clean hand directly on the effective area. Let the liquids fully absorb into the skin before rinsing off.
7) CHANGE OUT YOUR RAZOR BLADES
Over time, your razor blade will begin to rust. By using a damaged and dull razor blade, you are only increasing the likelihood that your skin will be torn further spreading harmful bacteria all over the face. Look to your razor blade’s manufacturer as to when the recommended amount of time is to change out your blades.
8) PRE-SHAVE PREVENTIVE MEASURES
Just as important as it is to prevent razor burn from spreading it is equally as essential to take preventative measures to reduce your chances of developing razor bumps.
At Jaxson Maximus, we recommend softening your skin with a cream, gel, or oil to lubricate the skin adequately. Never shave skin without applying a pre-shave balm or lubricant to the skin. Without a lubricant, your skin has no protective barrier against the harshness of the razor blade, which can cause further irritation.
If you are looking for an effective solution on how to get rid of painful razor bumps once and for all, remember always to use a pre-shave in your routine.
9) SHAVE DIRECTLY AFTER YOU SHOWER
Your hair is in its softest state right after you shower, thanks to the steam and heat of the water. Shaving your skin directly after your shower allows for your hair follicles to become more open and more relaxed. This helps prevent the curly of the hair follicles that cause razor bumps and ingrown hairs to occur.
10) SHAVE WITH AN ELECTRONIC RAZOR
If you must shave every day, we recommend switching over to an electric razor, shaving with an electric razor leads to more constant movement with your blade, which can help prevent accidental cutting and irritation on the skin.
11) SEEK OUT OVER-THE-COUNTER LOTIONS AND CREAMS
Putting creams such as hydrocortisone and aftershave lotions directly on the shaved areas can help act as a preventive and a post-bump neutralizer. Products that contain hydrocortisone can help reduce swelling and redness. Salicylic acid, a common ingredient in many acne lotions and products, can also be used to help reduce bumps on the skin.
In addition to these commonly found ingredients, glycol acid has been shown to reduce razor bumps and lesions by 60% after just one use.
Specially formulated products are available at most drug stores as over-the-counter alternatives to fighting razor burn. If you are looking for how to get rid of your razor bumps immediately we recommend these three over-the-counter products:
CONCLUSION: HOW TO GET RID OF RAZOR BUMPS QUICKLY
Although everyone’s skin reacts differently, the most important advice we can give on how to prevent razor bumps starts with prevention itself. Always make sure to apply a pre-shave lubricant beforehand to prevent razor bumps from happening in the first place.
