What to know about razor bumps

Razor bumps, medically called pseudofolliculitis barbae, are tiny, irritated bumps on the skin that most commonly appear after shaving.

They are basically ingrown hairs – hairs that curl back into the skin instead of growing out normally, thereby triggering inflammation and bump formation. It can happen anywhere hair is shaved, waxed, or plucked.

Why do razor bumps happen?

Several factors can cause Razor bumps:

• Shaving too closely, cutting hair below the skin’s surface, increases the chance of ingrown hairs. 

• Curly or coarse hair texture, which is more likely to bend back into the skin. 

• Shaving against the direction of hair growth. 

• Using dull blades or dry shaving without shaving gel or cream.

• Tight clothing rubbing freshly shaved skin. 

How to shave properly to prevent bumps 

1. Wash the skin first with a gentle cleanser to remove dead skin cells and oils. 

2. Soften the hair with warm water or a warm compress. 

3 .Use a moisturising shaving cream or gel. 

4. Shave in the direction the hair grows, not against it.

5. Avoid stretching the skin and avoid shaving too close. 

6. Finish with a soothing aftershave or moisturiser. 

 5 ways to get rid of razor bumps 

1. The most effective way to let current razor bumps heal is to stop shaving or plucking in that area for a while. This gives hair a chance to grow out naturally instead of curling back under the skin.

2. Try clippers instead of a razor, leaving about 0.5 mm of hair. This reduces ingrown hairs since the hair isn’t cut right at the skin surface. 

3. Applying a warm washcloth or compress to the area before shaving helps to soften the skin and your hair. This makes shaving gentler and lowers irritation. It also helps soften ingrown hairs, making bumps calmer. 

4. Certain topical products can help calm inflammation and free trapped hairs:

Hydrocortisone cream to reduce redness and swelling. 

5. If razor bumps keep coming back, laser hair removal can be a long-term solution. By permanently reducing hair growth, there’s less chance for hair to become ingrown.