We have all had razor bumps once or twice in our lifetime. This very unpleasant aftermath of shaving is hard to prevent. The aftermath process is long. It takes forever for them to go away, and is anything but enjoyable in the meantime. Lucky for you, that drawn out process stops today.
Whether you are the type that rushes through your shave, takes their time, or somewhere in between, you can’t escape razor bumps. However, your razor bumps don’t have to rule your life anymore. I am going to give you a quick and foolproof step by step on how to get rid of razor bumps so you can rest easy. Get ready to get back to smooth shaved skin.
What are Razor Bumps?
First, let’s talk about what razor bumps are. They are often used interchangeably with razor burn. However, these are two separate things. Razor burn is the aftermath of friction from shaving. It causes irritation on the skin which gives the burn that we all want to stay away from. This is often the result of quick, careless shaving or old razors.
Razor bumps, on the other hand, are a result of clogged skin after the shave where actual bumps appear. This is painful in a different way. As the hair begins to grow back, it blocks the skin, almost as an ingrown hair, but not fully to that level. This is what we are addressing today.
Step by Step
1. Physical Exfoliation
The first option to try is some form of physical exfoliation if not a few. My favorite combination is a good sugar scrub and a hard brush. Add these into your shower routine, whether you are shaving or not. This will help remove any dead skin while helping the growing hairs break the surface of your skin rather than getting stuck underneath.
Although it may be tempting to brush harshly, remember to be gentle. Your skin is easily irritated when you have razor bumps, so err on the side of caution.
2. Chemical Exfoliation
Another great option is a chemical exfoliate. This helps reduce the odds of irritation. However, be sure to follow the direction on whichever option you choose and not leave the exfoliate on for too long. The two best options I have found are glycolic acid and salicylic acid. Each of these allow for the hair to reach the surface of your skin as well as remove any dead skin cells. They also help alleviate the appearance of the razor bump in the meantime.
3. Tweezing
The next step is a bit more time consuming, but can get the pesky hairs that exfoliation might not. Grab a sharp pair of tweezers and start looking for any hairs that are still stuck underneath the surface. The key to this is to find a good pair of tweezers. Look for pointy tweezers that can reach under the skin. Be as gentle as possible. Only tweeze if you can see the hair, however. If not, you can cause scarring and make the bump worse, so keep this as a last resort option for quick relief if needed.
4. Prevention
Once you have averted the razor bump crisis, you can focus on preventing this from happening in the future. There are a few options to help prevent razor bumps. First, try a different type of shaving. Electric razors have much higher success in lowering the amount of razor bumps.
You can also try lowering the amount of times that you are shaving. Overshaving can cause irritation to your skin and leave it open to razor bumps easier. Give your skin a break and switch to once a week shaving if not less. See if this makes a difference for you.
Lastly, you can add a retinoid into your skincare routine. Retinoids have long lasting results, but take some time. Be patient if you are going to go this route. It can help reduce scarring of previous razor bumps, reduce acne, and prevent razor bumps in the future, so there are loads of benefits.
Now that you know the best razor bump treatment options, there is nothing standing in your way. Embrace your soft and smooth skin! Give these tips and try! Your skin will thank you!
