Shaving is one of the most inexpensive and easy ways of getting rid of body hairs. However, one deterrent to shaving is the likelihood of having razor bumps, which can be quite uncomfortable. While an obvious solution to this is to switch to other hair removal methods like waxing, laser and others, some people still prefer to shave. Note that sometimes hair removal by waxing can also cause bumps. Before diving into how razor bumps can be avoided, let’s briefly look at a few reasons why they may occur.
Usually, razor bumps happen after shaving, caused by ingrown hairs trapped by dead skin, thus curling back into the skin. This then turns into pimple-like bumps that may be painful and uncomfortable. Anyone can develop razor bumps, but people with sensitive skin are more prone to it.
How to treat and avoid it
There are a few ways to treat razor bumps if they already exist on your skin. There are also ways to avoid repeated occurrences. These tips help to heal the skin, and with time, help your skin to be resistant to shaving bumps.
Razor bumps treatment
- Aloe vera: Aloe vera contains calming properties which can gently heal the affected areas. Simply rub a piece of raw aloe vera leaf on the affected areas and wash it off after some minutes. If you don’t have the raw plant, use an aloe-based lotion. Test the raw plant on a small area of your skin first to ensure there are no allergies before use.
- Warm water and face towel: Dip your towel into a bowl of warm water, squeeze out excess water and place the towel on the affected area for a few minutes. This helps to reduce swelling and itching, if any.
- Tea tree oil: The soothing qualities of tea tree oil help to calm irritation and reduce the bumps on your skin. Using a ball of cotton wool, apply a few drops of the tea tree oil and rub gently.
- Exfoliation scrub: This should be used with caution, especially when applied on sensitive skin. If you don’t have a face or body scrub, a simple mix of sugar and coconut or olive oil will do the trick. Exfoliation helps to remove the dead skin cells that keep the ingrown hairs trapped in the skin.
Ways to prevent razor bumps
- Throw your shaving razors away after use. This is to prevent the dead skin cells trapped in between the razors, from coming in contact with your skin again during the next shaving session.
- Exfoliate the part of the skin you want to shave before your shaving session. This helps to eliminate dead skin cells that can trap ingrown hairs.
- Instead of shaving cream, use coconut oil, baby oil or any other mild oil. This works better than shaving cream and keeps your skin moisturized while shaving. Rinse off with soap after shaving, and you’ll notice a softer, smoother feel on the shaved area.
- Shave in the direction of hair growth and not against it. Shaving against the direction of hair growth on your skin adds pressure on the skin which can cause irritation.
- Avoid pulling the skin while shaving to prevent irritation.
- Shave gently and take your time while doing it. Also, reduce the frequency of your shaving sessions. Depending on how fast your hair grows, shaving biweekly or once a month is fine.
- Always keep your skin moisturized, as dry skin is more prone to irritation.
While razor bumps may be inevitable at times, these methods help to reduce the effects on the skin and totally eliminate them with time. However, if the bumps persist, you should either try a new method of hair removal or seek medical help.