Don’t Let Razor Bumps Ruin Your Day

Razor bumps are a major nuisance that a lot of people have to deal with on a daily basis. My job requires me to shave everyday, so I have to keep it up, even when my neck is raw and full of razor bumps. This use to be the case, until I started doing some research on the subject and defeated my razor bumps once and for all. Here are beatrazorbumps.com, we have a 5-step Beat Razor Bumps Treatment Plan, that will help you end your frustrations.

The five step plan is:

Begin the Healing Process
Pre-Shave Preparation
Shave
After Shave
Long Term Prevention and Care of Razor Bumps

Understanding Why You Have Razor Bumps

It all starts with understanding why you have razor bumps. The medical name for razor bumps is Pseudofolliculitis Barbae or PFB (thats quite a tongue twister). This is an inflammation of the hair follicles and there are basically two types.

The first is called transfollicular, and it is when you have a hair that basically grows sideways. This means that it does not exit the skin, but instead remains underneath the skin.

The second type is called extrafollicular and it is when the hair exits the skin, but then curls back and re-enters the skin.

Both of these are commonly referred to as ingrown hair.

The cause of razor bumps is primarily from irritation and inflammation after shaving, although other things, such as harsh chemicals, or clothes rubbing the skin can also cause razor bumps.

Make sure you assess what is the primary cause of your own razor bumps and if there is anything else aggravating the bumps.

This could be:

Poor shaving habits and technique
Harsh chemicals
Improper fitting clothing
Rough clothing

Step 1. Begin the Healing Process

Once you know what causes your razor bumps, the next step is to take a break from shaving, and let the area heal. Time is the best healer. It is also important to keep the area clean, and prevent infection. You can use products such as witch hazel or tea tree oil, which both clean and disinfect. Strong chemicals such as hydrocortisone can be used as well, but be sure to avoid using hydrocortisone on your face, pubic areas and armpits. They are all too sensitive.

It is also best to use a soothing moisturizer or balm on the areas.

My recommended moisturizer is the Shiseido Men Hydrating Lotion. I have been using this lotion for years, and it is great. The lotion is so light it almost feels like water. It doesn’t leave any residue and your skin feels great. I also recommend this after the shave.

Step 2. The Pre-Shave Preparation Process for Preventing Razor Bumps

Collect the Materials

Another tongue twister. Your pre-shave ritual is just as important as actually shaving the hair. You want to make sure that you gather all of the necessary materials before hand, so you don’t have to run around after you start.

Clean and Exfoliate

You’ll want to wash and exfoliate your skin. This helps the blade pass through the hair easier and prevents it from becoming clogged with skin cells. It also makes your skin smoother so the blade runs smoother across your face.

Heat Up and Soften the Skin

It’s best to shave during or after a hot shower, because this heats up and moisturizes the skin, while at the same time softening up the hair. If this can’t be done, take a wash cloth, and soak it in hot water. Ring it out just a little bit, so that it stays hot, but doesn’t drip all over the place.

Carefully place the hot towel on your face, ensuring you cover all of the areas that are you are going to be shaving. Let it heat your face for about one minute.

Apply Pre-Shave Oil

After heating up your face, apply some pre-shave oil. I prefer to use oil instead of lotion because it stays on better while you lather up. It is also best if it is an essential oil.

Lather Up with a Badger Hair Shaving Brush and Glycerin Based Shaving Cream

Finally, lather up using a glycerin based shaving cream and a badger shaving brush. The glycerin based shaving cream is gentle on your skin and lathers up very well, while the badger hair shaving brush gently massages your skin, softening up the hairs and making them stand up. This makes for an excellent shave.

Step 3. Shave

This is the part where the rubber meets the road… or actually where the metal meets the face. You want to take your time, shaving slowly and deliberately. Unless you are a trained barber, I recommend using a safety razor.

The most important thing is to make sure the blades are still sharp. If you are using a safety razor, replace the blades before this happens. If you are using a straight razor, you should be stropping and sharpening prior to shaving anyway.

The most frequent cause of razor bumps is shaving carelessly and too fast.

Go slowly, with the grain of the hair. This will help to prevent the razor bumps because it will not push any hairs underneath the surface of the skin. Pay close attention to the way in which the hair changes its grain direction. This is especially tricky on the neck, where most of the razor bumps occurs.

Step 4. After Shave

No, its not just for old men, and it is more than just cologne. The after shave process is all about preparing your skin for making it through the day. You want to rinse your face of all of the left over shaving cream. Be gentle, as you do not want to cause anymore irritation.

After you have rinsed, apply a gentle moisturizer to your face. This should be as thin as possible, and not oily. This helps keep the skin healthy and prevents your pores from becoming clogged, a major cause of inflammation after irritation from shaving.

Next, apply an after shave balm or lotion to the areas that tend to get razor bumps. This helps to soothe them and keeps them healthy.

Step 5. Long Term Prevention and Care

Finally, it is important that you take good care of your skin. Keeping up a solid shaving regimin will keep you from having to deal with razor bumps everyday that you need to shave.

Get a good facial cleanser that is gentle on your skin. This will prevent your skin from drying out and keep it healthy and clean. It is also important to use sun block that is not oily if you are going to be out in the sun.

I recommend for a facial cleanser the Shiseido Men Cleansing Foam. It is gentle on your skin but still leaves you feeling clean.

Be sure to take a break from shaving whenever you can. This allows your skin to heal and its like starting fresh. But there is normally a sweet spot in the amount of days you can go between shaves. I have found personally, two days without shaving helps my skin to heal. Shaving on the third day is just early enough to make it not too difficult for the razor, and so, it doesn’t cause excessive irritation while shaving. If you hair is too thick, you’ll want to trim it down with clippers or an electric razor, and this will get it much shorter.

An End to Razor Bumps!