How to Stop Shaving Bumps Rash
In the summer, women shave their legs more and this can result in the scary red shaving bump problem. Of course, this is also an issue for men’s beards and women’s binkini areas as well. Technically, this can be both ingrown hair issues or irritation from shaving to close. What can be done to avoid or reduce this problem?
One thing that is a no-no is to grab a razor and start shaving in the car on the way to the beach! Do NOT do this. It is always best to use shaving cream when you shave your legs (or any part of your body). To shave on dry skin is asking for trouble. You also can nick yourself more easily doing this.
Though you can get a closer shave going against the direction of hair growth, it is better to shave the way that the hair grows to help stop the formation of razor bumps. Sure, it won’t be as close as it could be, but ultimately this is better for your skin. Don’t reshave the same area over and over. Just do it once. Some people will shave with a single blade and find that helps the problem.
I find that putting a little moisturizer on my skin an hour before shaving my legs make them softer and easier to shave. Some people will just wet the area and soften it that way prior to shaving. This is good for the in-grown hair and razor bump situation too.
Keep in mind that if you are African American or have curly hair, you are more prone to razor bumps. Curly hairs can turn back into skin and result in the skin inflammation, pimples and redness. It sometimes is termed pseudofolliculitis barbae. That’s a big phrase, but pragmatically it means that you can have irritable skin with red bumps.
After you shave, be sure to use a little alcohol on the shaving blade so that bacteria won’t grow. Getting infected can cause even more complications.
What do you do if you already have razor bumps from shaving?
Using witch hazel or products with glycolic acid or salicylic acid which helps the skin exfoliate are helpful. Stop shaving for a few days and let the skin heal. Some say to use a gel deodorant on the bikini line after shaving to avoid the razor rash, but I am not sure if or why that would help. Exfoliating products are recommended and moisturizing the skin.
I stopped for 5 days when I had a shaving rash and then when I started shaving again things were better because I used warm water on my skin a for 15 minutes before shaving. I have curly hair and also I’m in sun a lot so my skin is dry and subject to razor rashes.
I find that shaving in the direction that the hair is growing does help with shaving bumps. When I shave against it , I can get some. I prefer a close shave but definitely do not like these razor bumps.
My husband stopped his shaving rash by switching to new blades more frequently. He was using a dull razor and that made things worse for him with more bumps and redness. Try replacing the blade frequently or just using new disposable shavers.
I burst out laughing because I have shaved in the car driving to work. Sometimes I do get shaving bumps and they are pretty awful looking. Biking shaving rash is definitely ugly and I don’t like when guys have the bumps on their neck. I’d rather see a guy with a beard.