How To Get Rid Of Razor Bumps: Tips and Tricks
For anyone who has ever wielded a razor to keep those unsightly hairs trimmed and invisible to the naked eye, razor bumps are a fairly common problem. These tiny bumps may be harmless but they are unsightly and could become an aesthetic problem. Razor bumps can easily become infected, form abscesses and cause scarring and hyperpigmentation, a condition wherein the affected skin area appears darker than the rest. Unwanted hair can be managed well and uneven skin can be avoided. Learn how to get rid of razor bumps with these tricks:
How To Get Rid Of Razor Bumps: Know your bumps.
The scientific name of razor bumps is pseudofolliculitis barbae. These are tiny, irritated bumps found on the skin that usually occur when hair strands curl back instead of growing straight out of the follicle. As the hair grows longer, the shaft goes into the skin, causing what is known as an ingrown. It appears as a pimple and is often mistaken as such. Upon closer inspection, however, a tiny strand of hair can often be found just underneath the surface of the skin.
Be careful about how you shave.
Razor bumps appear in areas such as the chin, the sides of the face, along the jawline, the upper area of the neck, the legs, thighs, scalp and pubic area – common areas that are frequently trimmed or shaved. One of the best ways on how to get rid of razor bumps is to prepare the skin prior to shaving. Brushing longer hairs in one direction helps since this prevents strands from curling back or getting entangled with other strands.
When shaving, always use a razor with a sharp blade and always go in the direction of the hair – not against. Not only is this more efficient in cutting hair, it also allows you to finish shaving in a shorter time. With each stroke, make sure to rinse the razor to remove cut hairs, soap or shaving cream. Hold the blade and shave firmly – not too light and not too strong – so as not to irritate or damage the skin.
If some patches of hair seem more stubborn than others, do not attempt to run the razor repeatedly over the area to prevent irritation. Instead, apply shaving cream, rinse the blade well and try again. If the cut remains unsatisfactory, you might have to replace the blade with fresh ones.
Once done shaving, apply a cold, damp towel to close the pores. You might also want to use an aftershave lotion or cream to condition the skin.
Fix an ingrown hair.
Ingrowns tend to be painful and if you are not careful, they could become infected. If you must fix them, it is a good idea to fix razor bumps fast. The moment one ingrown appears, try to apply a hot compress on the affected area. Hot temperatures encourage the pores to expand, thus leaving some room for the hair to grow out. Apply the compress for at least 30 seconds to 1 minute, allow the skin to rest for a few seconds, then apply again. This will help decrease the swelling that is associated with bumps ingrown hairs cause. Once the hair has grown out, you could easily cut it or pull it out.
Exfoliate.
Exfoliating the skin helps slough off dead skin, allowing you to get rid of razor bumps ingrown hairs often cause. You could do manual exfoliation by using a soft cloth to buff and remove dead skin cells on the surface. Cleansers that contain tiny beads also help, allowing you to cleanse and exfoliate at the same time. Products with salicylic acid or glycolic acid are excellent options as well and are often safe for general use.
Take care of your skin.
You might also want to look at the type of remedy topical treatment
options can offer. Ointments, creams and gels that contain retinoids and alpha-hydroxy acids, for example, can help in renewing the skin. It chemically exfoliates the top layer, making it easier for hair strands to grow. There are also topical solutions that can be used to treat an infected follicle. These products contain an antibiotic agent that kills bacteria in order to stop inflammation and redness. If your bumps are infected, applying a good antibacterial product can help.
How To Get rid of razor bumps fast.
It is possible to release ingrown hair from underneath the skin using a few steps and a few tools. If applying a warm compress still does not work, the next best step is to lift the curled hair to ease it out of the follicle. This can be done by using a pair of clean, preferably sterilized tweezers. Carefully gripping the strand, you may pull the hair out gently until the upper portion or tip is out. If the hair is slightly deeper in the skin, use a sterilized needle to gently guide the hair out of the follicle.
Change your ways.
Shaving is not the only method of removing unwanted hair. There are other options, such as waxing and using depilatories. If you prefer a long-lasting solution, you might want to consider laser hair removal instead.
Give your skin time to heal.
Razor bumps can damage the skin and cause scabbing. Make sure not to aggravate the condition by treating the skin gently and allowing the scab to dry off before shaving or treating hair. This is one of the best ways on how to get rid of razor bumps recommended for people who want to treat them naturally.
