Style and Grooming
Razor Bumps and Ingrown Hairs: How to Stop Them for Good
How do you stop getting razor bumps and ingrown hairs after you shave? The short answer is to change how and when you shave. Razor bumps are small, red, sometimes itchy bumps that show up after shaving. They are common on the neck, chin, and anywhere you shave, including the chest and groin. They can also leave dark marks that show up in photos, so it is worth getting them under control.
Why razor bumps happen
The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) explains that when a razor cuts hair very short, the sharp tip can curve back into the skin. Your skin reacts to the trapped hair, and you get a bump. This happens more with coarse or curly hair, which is why razor bumps are very common in men with darker skin.
The surest fix: stop shaving that area
The AAD says the one sure way to end razor bumps is to stop shaving and let the hair grow. When the hair gets longer, it springs out of the skin. You may get a few new bumps at first, but you should see fewer within about a month, and they should be gone in about three months. If you like the look, a short beard or trimmed stubble can be a good choice. A trimmer that leaves a little length is much less likely to cause bumps than a close shave.
If you want to keep shaving
Dermatologists suggest these habits:
- Learn which way your hair grows. Pull your skin tight in front of a mirror and look. If your hair grows in many directions, gently brushing it one way with a soft toothbrush each day can train it.
- Soften the hair first. Shave at the end of a shower, or hold a warm, damp washcloth on the area for a few minutes.
- Wash first. Use a gentle cleanser that will not clog pores.
- Use a moisturizing shaving cream. Use it even with an electric razor, and do not let it dry out.
- Shave with the grain. Go in the direction your hair grows, with short strokes, and do not go over the same spot more than twice.
- Do not stretch your skin while shaving. This lets the hair get cut below the surface.
- Pick a simpler razor. The AAD says razors with many blades can cut too close for some men. A single or double blade razor may help.
- Keep blades sharp and clean. Rinse after each stroke and change disposable blades after 5 to 7 shaves.
- Finish gently. Rinse with warm water, then hold a cool, damp cloth on the skin, and use a soothing aftershave or moisturizer.
It may sound strange, but the AAD also says shaving daily, or at least every 2 to 3 days, can help. This gives hairs less time to grow long enough to curl back into the skin.
What not to do
- Do not pluck or dig out a hair inside a bump. This can cause new bumps and make them worse.
- Do not pick at bumps. This can lead to infection and dark marks.
- Do not shave against the grain to get a closer shave if you get bumps.
Bumps on the body
The same rules apply to the chest, back, and groin. On the body, trimming instead of shaving is often the easiest way to avoid bumps. The AAD also notes that tight clothes in hot, humid weather can irritate hair follicles, so change out of sweaty workout clothes soon after exercise.
When it is more than a bump
The AAD warns that razor bumps left untreated can cause lasting changes, like deep grooves and raised scars. Bumps that keep coming back after you change your habits, look infected, hurt, or leave dark spots are past the point where a better razor fixes them.
Clear skin on your neck and jaw can make a real difference in close up photos. The Face They See lets people of the opposite gender rank your photos for free, so you can compare a clean shave with stubble and see which one people prefer.
Bottom line
Razor bumps come from short hairs curling back into the skin. Growing the hair out or trimming is the surest fix. If you shave, soften the hair, shave with the grain using a sharp, simple razor, never stretch the skin, and do not pick at bumps. If bumps keep coming back, stop shaving that close.