For those who shave, you’ve got possible skilled your fair proportion of razor bumps. However have you ever ever puzzled why they seem within the first place? We actually have, so we determined to go straight to the consultants to search out out every part we have to learn about these pesky, itchy bumps. Forward, board-certified dermatologists Dr. Jessie Cheung and Dr. Shari Sperling share the causes of razor bumps, preventative suggestions, and remedy choices.

Meet the Professional

• Jessie Cheung, MD, is a dermatologist in New York, NY, and has over 20 years of expertise.
• Shari Sperling, DO, is a board-certified dermatologist who makes a speciality of medical, beauty, laser, and surgical dermatology.

What Are Razor Bumps?

Razor bumps, often known as pseudofolliculitis barbae, are induced by shaving. Eradicating physique hair with a razor (or comparable hair elimination machine) cuts the hair follicle and leaves it with a pointy, pointed tip. This tip can typically curl again into the pores and skin, resulting in razor bumps. As Dr. Cheung places it, “Razor bumps are basically ingrown hairs. “The hair might develop inward as an alternative of rising outward, because the pores and skin cells proceed to type across the hair development.”

These bumps usually current as small, infected areas (they’ll look crimson or brown) and seem in areas like your face, groin, underarms, and legs. Signs of razor bumps are pretty normal and may embody redness, itching, and slight tenderness or soreness.

What Are the Causes of Razor Bumps?

Though razor bumps usually tend to type after utilizing a razor, Dr. Cheung says, “Any kind of hair elimination can lead to razor bumps, as the brand new hair will get caught beneath the pores and skin.” 

For those who are utilizing a razor, you will need to notice the route through which you shave has an impression. “Many individuals shave in opposition to the route of the hair for a smoother shave, however you need to go together with the grain,” Dr. Sperling says. 

One other frequent trigger is dry shaving. Based on Dr. Sperling, dry shaving doesn’t permit the hair to be correctly moisturized, which will increase your danger of razor bumps. She additionally says utilizing the identical razor too usually will be problematic, as dulled, rusted blades can result in razor bumps, pores and skin irritation, and razor burn.

How you can Stop Razor Bumps

The important thing to stopping razor bumps lies in your hair elimination technique. “Hair elimination strategies that require much less frequency than shaving are higher for these liable to razor bumps,” Dr. Chueng says. Waxing and tweezing are really helpful since they take away hair on the root, resulting in hair rising again thinner and softer. Laser hair elimination is one other efficient choice. “Laser hair elimination will shrink the hair shafts and completely lower the variety of lively hair follicles,” Dr. Cheung says. 

Dr. Sperling suggests utilizing hair elimination lotions, which break down the hair slightly below the pores and skin’s floor. Veet Legs & Physique Gel Cream Hair Remover, Nopunzel Hair Removing Cream, and SoftSheen-Carson Razorless Shaving Cream are a number of Byrdie-approved choices.

For those who select to make use of a razor, you’ll be able to stop razor bumps by at all times prepping your pores and skin. Begin by dampening your pores and skin and hair with heat water. Then, Dr. Sterling recommends “moistening the pores and skin with shaving cream or gel earlier than shaving.”

How you can Deal with Razor Bumps 

Razor bumps will sometimes heal on their very own, so no remedy protocol is important. Nevertheless, if you would like, you’ll be able to faucet residence treatments to expedite the method and ease discomfort. “A scorching compress might help scale back irritation or irritation,” Dr. Sperling suggests. Merchandise like Topicals Excessive Curler Ingrown Hair Tonic with AHA and BHA ($26) or Fur’s Ingrown Microdart Patch ($28) also can assist calm the affected space. Our consultants additionally stress the significance of refraining from scratching or rubbing the razor bumps, which may result in additional irritation.

When to See a Skilled

Generally, pores and skin irritation from razor bumps is just too extreme to deal with at residence. When you have indicators of an infection, like drainage or extreme irritation, it is best to see a physician. “Seek the advice of your dermatologist for remedy if bumps have gotten bigger or extra painful,” Dr. Cheung provides.

Dr. Cheung and Dr. Sperling additionally advocate seeing a dermatologist in the event you expertise recurring razor bumps, which can lead to scarring. “Razor bumps can get out of hand, particularly in delicate areas,” Dr. Cheung says. A dermatologist might prescribe antibiotics or steroid lotions could also be prescribed for extra extreme instances.

The Closing Takeaway 

Razor bumps are basically ingrown hairs, they usually’re mostly brought on by shaving with a razor. With razor bumps, you may possible expertise itching, irritation, and redness. Nevertheless, these signs ought to subside on their very own. When you have issues concerning the look or recurrence of your razor bumps, it is at all times greatest to hunt recommendation from a medical skilled.

Article Sources

Byrdie takes each alternative to make use of high-quality sources, together with peer-reviewed research, to help the info inside our articles. Learn our editorial pointers to study extra about how we maintain our content material correct, dependable and reliable.

1. Ogunbiyi, A. (2019). Pseudofolliculitis barbae; present remedy choices. Medical, Beauty and Investigational Dermatology, 12, 241–247. https://doi.org/10.2147/CCID.S149250