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Ever shaved your legs for the evening party but got left with sore skin and bumps which look as unappealing as mosquito bites? That’s the worst feeling, isn’t it?
While nothing can be as unsettling as getting razor bumps rather than a smooth, shaved skin, it’s actually quite a common problem reported by a lot of people. But don’t worry, it isn’t eternal.
There’s a lot of confusion that people have regarding razor bumps and razor burns. Some people have both and some people have a different condition altogether.
In this article, we’ll not only cover how to treat razor bumps but also how to prevent them, to begin with. We will clear all the confusions you have about burns and bumps once and for all
So now you can go to your parties without this at the back of your mind
What Are Razor Bumps?
Razor bumps can be faced by any individual who shaves their body. On the off chance that you’ve at any point had a red rash in the wake of shaving, you were likely encountering razor bumps.
Ingrown hairs develop when instead of growing outwards, the hair grows back into the skin. Subsequent to evacuating hair by shaving, waxing, or culling, the hair may twist and turn towards the inside.
As the new skin cells trap the hair, it forms a bump, which is basically the main reason you’re left with an irritated, tender, and dry skin afterward.
Causes of Razor Bumps
Wondering what you even did to deserve them in the first place? What went so wrong that you had to be the victim of these?
Well fret not, listed below are the possible reasons why you’re even having to face these:
1. Genetic
Hereditary factors are the root causes for a lot of diseases, and razor bumps certainly are no exception to this
2. Shaving Recklessly.
This is the rise to many problems that you keep facing starting from cuts to bumps. So don’t hasten this process.
3. Using Clogged Razor Blades
Sometimes your razor blades are clogged by hair, oil, or shaving foam. Not cleaning them before shaving will cause bumps and can give rise to many other conditions as well.
4. Dry Skin
People with dry skin are more prone to razor bumps and may face this more often. So hydrating skin before shaving should be the norm.
5. Pulling Your Skin
At the point when the hair shaft is dry, it’s a lot harder for your razor to trim because of which pulling and tugging become your last resort.
In addition to the fact that this is off-putting, it can cause the hair tips to be trimmed at an edge, making it considerably simpler for the hair to enter over into the skin as it develops and escalate your danger of a razor bump flare-up.
6. Sensitive Skin
If your skin is naturally more sensitive, you are most likely to be prone to it. So moisturizing your skin before shaving should help.
7. Using Old or Dull Razor Blades.
A dull blade will give you a dull shave. A dull, wrinkly, and old blade will also give you a bump!
8. Shaving Frequently
Too much shaving and cutting of layers increase the risk of facing razor bumps.
How to Treat Razor Bumps
Don’t get bummed. Every maze has an end and so does this one. Razor bumps mostly heal on their own without requiring any medical attention, but hey, wouldn’t you love to accelerate its recovery?
Note down the following if you want a speedy healing process:
1. Apple Cider Vinegar
Use a good brand of Apple cider vinegar. It is said to comprise anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties that work to soothe itchy, irritated skin. Take a few drops on cotton and apply it to the affected area.
2. Try out tea tree oil
Pure tea tree oil is known to be a characteristic antiseptic, and it’s utilized as a topical specialist to soothe burns and cuts. For its medicinal value, it is also used for relieving razor bumps.
3. Using Cucumber and Milk
Use this cucumber and milk remedy which is magically going to soothe your skin, leaving a cool sensation. Peel a cucumber and add it to 1/4 cup of milk. Afterwards, blend it in a mixer. Let it cool in the refrigerator for 10 minutes before adding it to the affected area. Let it sit there for a while. Wash it lukewarm water afterwards.
4. Use Salicylic Acid
Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid that helps exfoliate skin cells. By penetrating the oil glands in the skin, it unclogs pore. Moreover, it fights inflammation as well.
5. Herbal Treatment
The Aloe Vera is undefeatable till now. Clip off the tip of one of its leaves and apply the inner gel to the affected area.
6. An Oatmeal Bath
This may help a lot. Soak the oatmeal in water or if you have dry skin, you can also mix it with yogurt and honey. The results will show in a matter of time.
7. Use Tweezers
Use tweezers to pluck out any ingrown hairs. Make sure it is sterile. Doing this will help get rid of the razor bump rather quickly. Sterilize with alcohol if required.
8. Avoid Shaving Affected Area
This should be a no brainer. The step here is as obvious as the heading. Please no matter how tempting it is, do not shave an already damaged area. Here damage means areas that already has razor bumps. Instead for a a prescribed cream to remedy the inflammation.
9. Using a Warm Washcloth
Applying a warm, wet washcloth to the skin can help soften the skin and draw the ingrown hair out, especially when a person pairs this technique with one of the other treatments above.
Similarly, a person may opt to steam the area in a hot shower or sauna.
10. Dermatologist Consultation
There’s no alternative to going to a doctor or specialist. If all else fails above, always head out to a doctor for the special care your skin needs. If you have infections or allergy, your doctor shall prescribe you the required medicines to get relief from it.
How to Prevent Razor Bumps
They say Prevention is always better than cure. God if I had a dollar for every time I heard that I’d be a millionaire by now.
After all, why treat them when you can avoid facing them in the first place right? The following are the proven ways you can help prevent razor bumps for good.
1. Exfoliate
Exfoliation helps to prevent razor burn and ingrown hairs by removal of dead skin from the surface. So exfoliate regularly.
2. Use lube
Prior to shaving, apply a lubricant, for example, cleanser or shaving cream. This helps soften the skin and avoid bumps.
3. Hydrate Your Skin
It’s essential to splash water and hydrate your skin. Use lukewarm water to take a shower or wash yourself before shaving. It helps to soften the hair follicles allowing the blade to cut through smoothly.
4. Choose the right razor
A carpenter can’t cut wood if he doesn’t have an axe. Similarly for shaving you must choose the right tool. The tool here is a razor. Not just any razor. But a sharp razor. Use a razor that has more than 3 blades to prevent direct contact with the skin to prevent razor bumps, itches and other issues. If you have sensitive skin, choose a safety razor.
5. Avoid pulling
Avoid temptation and maintain a strategic distance from the compulsion of pulling your skin firmly while shaving.
6. Shave along the grain
Shave toward the path that the hair develops to give yourself the maximum benefit and avoid irritation. Make sure to shave in slow and steady strokes and taking time while doing this.
7. Clean Your Razor Blade
Flush your sharp edge every now and again with water during the shaving procedure to avoid clogging and cuts.
8. Cool yourself down a little
After shaving, make sure you splash cold water in the shaved area for closing the pores and causing temporary relief from the burning sensation.
9. Use a new sharp razor
Change your razor or blade more frequently as blades tend to lose their sharpness over time
10. Opt for an Electric Razor
Use an electric razor if required.
Razor Burns vs Razor Bumps
Are Razor Bumps and Razor Burns the same thing? To put it in 2 short letters – NO!
While the term Razor Burn and Razor Bumps are often used interchangeably, they are actually considered to be separate conditions. Below we discuss the different aspects in which they are fundamentally different.
Time of Occurrence
When your hairs start growing back into the skin, it’s called razor bump. On the contrary, when you suffer from inflammation post shave, it’s usually a razor burn.
Definition
Razor burn is the burning sensation felt when the skin is irritated due to the contact of blades with the skin. Whereas Razor Bumps are ingrown hairs settling on your skin and growing post shave.
Impact
Just like razor burns cause inflammation and burning sensation, razor bumps mark itself in the same category.
Reason
Razor burn occurs mainly due to the fact that the person didn’t follow the pre-shaving phases and apply shaving cream before shaving. It may also occur if the person uses a dull razor or has skin that is sensitive to friction.
Razor bumps, on the other hand, can develop several days after hair removal, once the hair has had time to grow into the skin and create a blockage. Shaving dry skin or sensitive skin without proper moisturizer and usage of dull razors might lead to this.
Bottom Line
At the end of the day, razor burns are nothing to be too skeptical about. Give it a few days time and it will be okay. Razor bumps on the other hand are a different case. You had better avoid shaving for a while until the problem is solved.
Sometimes your problems might even be due to use of a bad product or tool and it has nothing to do with how you shave. Remember to always consult a doctor under such circumstances.
We hope the above guide will help you solve your problems. In case it doesn’t as always we recommend you see a dermatologist who’ll prescribe you with the right medicines and guide you through the right procedures. So worry not because this can easily be treated and won’t cause any health damage.
We hope you liked our article and cleared any confusion you had prior to this topic. Hopefully, now you know not only how to get rid of razor bumps, but also how to prevent it.
Do you have sensitive skin or dry skin? Have you ever had razor bumps? What did you do after it? Please share with us your experience.