Did you know that shaving can also leave you with an itchy, red rash called a razor bump? Razor bumps are small pimples or bumps that appear on your skin as a result of shaving. How? When you shave, your hair is cut but the roots remain in the follicle.
These strands are sharp and when they grow back, they come out of the follicle very quickly and in one direction only, causing friction. The friction leads to micro-tears which cause pimples to form.
Apart from this, there are several ways by which you can prevent getting these bumps after shaving.
If you are looking for tips on how to get rid of razor bumps or want to know how to avoid them in future, read on.
When you shave your hair, it grows back thicker and coarser. This causes tiny pimple-like bumps called razor bumps or shaving rash. These red, inflamed pimples may itch or sting.
They are not dangerous but they can be very annoying. If you have been experiencing this skin problem after every shaving session, then we’ve got the right article for you.
Here you will learn how to get rid of razor bumps for good! So what exactly are these pesky little red bumps? Pilar or “razor” bumps are visible signs of an ingrown hair.
When a hair is shaved off, it has a natural tendency to grow back in the direction of its own natural growth pattern.
Instead, when you shave your hair with a blade, it cuts the hair at more of an acute angle which makes it more likely that they will grow back into the follicle than in any other direction. Read on if you want to know how to get rid of razor bumps once and for all.
1. Start with a gentle exfoliation session
If you want to get ride of razor bumps, start with a gentle exfoliation session. Exfoliation is the way of buffing away dead skin cells that may get trapped in your pores, clogging them and leaving them open to ingrown hairs that may cause razor bumps.
Exfoliating also helps in opening up your pores to let your skin breathe. The best way to get rid of ingrown hairs and razor bumps is to exfoliate your skin with a gentle scrub before you shave.
You can also use a loofah or a natural fiber exfoliating mitt to get rid of dead skin on your legs and other parts of the body that you shave.
Scrub your skin gently in a circular motion when exfoliating and make sure to use a very gentle scrub so as not to irritate your skin. Exfoliating your skin before shaving also helps you get a closer shave.
Your razor will glide more smoothly over your skin and you will not need to apply too much pressure, which is the main cause of razor bumps.
2. Shave in the right direction
If you want to know how to get rid of razor bumps, the first thing you must do is shave in the direction of hair growth.
Avoid shaving against the direction of hair growth as it can increase the risk of ingrown hairs and razor bumps. Shaving against the hair growth direction can also cause irritation and damage your skin, making it more susceptible to acne and other skin issues.
Shaving against the hair growth direction can also increase the chances of getting ingrown hairs since it will make it easier for the hair to get trapped in the pores of your skin and grow back in the direction it was meant to.
Make sure to shave in the direction of hair growth as this will help you avoid ingrown hairs and razor bumps. To make sure you are doing it correctly, run your hand over your leg while it’s dry and feel which direction the hair is growing. Once you know the direction the hair is growing, shave in the opposite direction.
Another way of knowing how to get rid of razor bumps is by visualizing the hair growth pattern on your skin.
3. Use the right kind of razor
If you want to know how to get rid of razor bumps, you must use the right kind of razor. A razor that is too sharp or that has a dull blade will cause more damage to your skin and increase the chances of getting ingrown hairs and razor bumps.
So make sure you use a razor that is not too sharp and yet does the job of getting rid of the hair from your legs or other parts of your body.
You can also use an electric razor to shave, especially if you want an extra-sensitive shave. But make sure that you clean the blades frequently so they don’t get clogged up with hair and bacteria.
4. Apply an after-shave balm with oatmeal and aloe vera
The best way to get rid of razor bumps is to apply an after-shave balm that contains oatmeal and aloe vera. This will help to soothe and repair your skin and reduce the redness of your razor bumps.
Oats and aloe vera contain anti-inflammatory properties that will help in reducing the inflammation caused by the ingrown hairs and razor bumps.
Oats are also good for moisturizing your skin and making it soft and smooth. So, make sure to get an after-shave balm that contains oats and aloe vera.
Avoid after-shave products that contain alcohol as they can dry out your skin and make your razor bumps even more inflamed and irritated.
5. Let your skin breathe
The best way to get rid of razor bumps is by letting your skin breathe. When you shave your hair, you must moisturize your skin after shaving it, especially if you are using a blade.
The best way to do this is by applying an after-shave balm. This will help your skin get rid of any cuts and nicks caused by shaving and also help in reducing redness and irritation.
After you shave your hair, your pores will be more open and this can cause bacteria to grow on your skin and make your razor bumps even more irritated and inflamed.
So make sure to let your skin breathe after shaving it by avoiding wearing tight clothes that cause your pores to get clogged up and squeezing shut.
6. Don’t forget to moisturize!
The best way to get rid of razor bumps is by moisturizing your skin after shaving it. Your skin gets dried out after a shaving session, especially if you are using a blade razor.
This can cause the pores on your skin to get clogged up and can make your razor bumps even more irritating and inflamed. Once your skin is dry, try applying a rich moisturizer on it.
Choose a moisturizer that is enriched with anti-inflammatory ingredients such as aloe vera, oatmeal and shea butter. Shea butter is particularly good for moisturizing your skin as it is enriched with vitamins and minerals that are essential for healthy skin.
Conclusion
If you want to know how to get rid of razor bumps, you must start by exfoliating your skin before you shave. Shave in the direction of hair growth and use the right kind of razor.
Make sure to apply an after-shave balm with oatmeal and aloe vera to soothe and repair your skin.
Let your skin breathe after shaving it and moisturize it to get ride of razor bumps for good! If you want to know how to get rid of razor bumps, start with a gentle exfoliation session, shave in the right direction, use the right kind of razor, apply an after-shave balm with oatmeal and aloe vera and don’t forget to moisturize!.