More people were able to groom on their own terms because to the pandemic’s stay-at-home orders, which came amid an already expanding movement against the stigmas associated with losing body hair. One trait, however, remains common among individuals who decide to shave: a desire to avoid irritability. No one deserves ingrown hairs or razor bumps, no matter how well you groom, claims Laura Schubert, cofounder of the pubic hair and skin business Fur. Taking the proper precautions to prevent razor bumps in the first place is just as crucial as treating them, it becomes evident when examining how to get rid of them. Here, professionals cover every aspect of how to get rid of razor bumps, from smooth shaving to performing specific treatments for ingrown hairs.
What are razor bumps?
When it comes to razor sensitivity, irritation can manifest itself in several places on the body, including the legs, underarms, and bikini line. Razor burn and ingrown hairs both manifest as red pimples. “However, ingrown bumps are typically larger, frequently have a white head, and occasionally have a hair sticking out of them, whereas razor burn bumps are typically smaller in size and frequently form in clusters, akin to a rash,” says Schubert.
How do razor bumps develop?
The causes are threefold, says board-certified dermatologist Elyse Love, MD, FAAD, of New York City. According to her, ingrown hairs happen when a hair gets caught under the skin as it grows outward. Love adds that this may also occur if the hair rises above the skin’s surface, coils inward, and then continues to grow into the skin (this is most common in those with curly to kinky hair because the hair does not grow in one direction). According to Love, the second type of irritation caused by shaving is “a number of little, possibly uncomfortable flesh coloured pimples in the area that was shaved.” Each of these types of discomfort can be caused by a variety of factors, especially when it comes to the bikini region.
According to Blair Murphy Rose, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City and the Hamptons, hairs frequently have a curved growth pattern and can become stuck under the skin when they start to grow again, causing lumps. This area is especially vulnerable to ingrown hairs and irritation because of pressure from panties, swimsuits, or other tight apparel.
How may razor pimples be avoided during shaving?
We must first admit that shaving makes ingrown hairs more likely to occur. That is the reality, and trimming is a safer option if you want to prevent razor bumps as much as possible. Because the hairs are clipped farther away from the skin, Rose claims that they are less prone to curl back down into the skin. Consequently, picking the proper razor is the initial best practise when shaving. Even though you might be tempted to believe that the more blades, the better, especially when it comes to preventing razor bumps, that isn’t always the case.
Hairs are more likely to become lodged beneath the epidermis, or top layer of skin, the closer the razor is to the skin, according to Rose. In keeping with this, the popularity of vintage safety razors has increased, such as Oui the People’s single-blade stainless Sensitive Skin razor. According to Karen Young, the creator of Oui the People, “safety razors are designed to apply exactly the perfect amount of pressure, gliding across the surface of the skin, gently eliminating the hair rather than straining and pulling like multi-blade plastic razors.”
A very close, smooth shave is the end result, leaving no skin irritation or follicle inflammation. There is little possibility of the hair being stuck in the follicle because it is removed from the skin’s surface rather than from deeper. Remember: Less is more if you’re not using a single-blade safety razor. Stick with one- to two-blade only razors for the best results because they enable a more accurate and even shaving, advises Love. A five- or six-blade razor’s glide is more difficult to manage.
How can skin care prevent razor bumps
Razor bump prevention requires proper skin care both before and after shaving. Exfoliation, which helps keep hairs from being stuck and developing pimples, is the most crucial preparation step. Rose suggests chemical exfoliation using a mild alpha- or beta-hydroxy acid cleanser (glycolic, lactic, and salicylic acids are among her favourites) or wiping often, and cleaning the region with a washcloth to release dead skin in order to lift dead skin cells and accumulation. The objective, according to Rose, is to make it harder for pores to become blocked and hairs to become stuck by thinning the outer layer of skin. After shaving and getting out of the shower, lock in moisture because, according to Young, “dry skin is a hotbed for ingrown hairs.”
A body lotion with extra power will nourish and moisturise the skin. Better still, think about a formulation that has elements that exfoliate, such as First Aid Beauty’s Smoothing Body Lotion with 10% AHA, which will enhance skin texture over time and prepare the way for a closer shave.
How are pre-existing razor bumps handle
First, Young advises stopping all hair removal attempts. Avoid trying to remove hair from the area where you have ingrown hairs by shaving, waxing, or cutting it because doing so could cause an infection. Instead, she advises using a soft washcloth dipped in warm water to gently scrub the irritated area in slow, circular strokes. She continues, “This will get rid of dead skin cells and let the follicle breathe. Ingrown Eliminator Serum or Oui the People’s Cheat Sheet are effective treatments to use after this to completely eliminate ingrown hairs. In the event that things don’t get better, Rose advises consulting a dermatologist—especially in the event that a cyst has formed—as topical antibiotics prescribed by a doctor are frequently used to treat ingrown hairs.
