In this modern age world, everyone wants to appear more young, fresh and youthful and in order to achieve that a smooth soft skin has become such a necessity. Gone were the days when women were conscious for their facial skin only, its 21st century now, women now want to have a perfect skin on every part of their body, be it arms, belly, legs and thighs they want all of them to have perfect glowing skin. But, a major obstacle in achieving a flawless skin for body is razor bumps.
Also known as the Barber’s itch, razor bumps are the persistent irritation caused by shaving.
Razor bumps are filthy, irritating and unwanted. In this article we will find out causes of razor bumps, and how to get rid of razor bumps.
Causes of Razor Bumps:
Razor Bumps are often unexpected, the reason behind them are the hairs that somehow fail to make it out of the follicle as they regrow after we shave them, these trapped hair beneath the skin then form inflammation in the skin and reddens the skin. Not only the hair that do not regrow outside the skin, but also the hair that grow and then curl around and renter the skin, these hair then cause pus-filled pimples.
Razor Bumps are caused by very close shaving. When we shave facial hair or bikini area hair very closely, it sharpens the end of the hair causing them more edgy and thus able to pierce skin and grow longer inside the skin. Different types of hair have different chances of causing bumps. Curly hair are more likely to cause shaving bumps than straight hair, as curly hair usually grow out and then curl back towards the skin and eventually penetrate the skin and grow longer inside it. When hair finds their way inside skin, human body resists their penetration into the skin as if they were an infection, thus causing tiny bumps/pimples.
Scientific name of the razor bumps is psuedofolliculitis barbe, a condition which includes ingrown hair in beard after shaving. Not just beard, it can happen anywhere on the body and in both men and women, although African American men are more likely to get it due to the nature of their skin. The condition, as we read, also known as razor bumps can further form into Folliculitis, Barber’s Itch and Tinea Barbe.
Among them, Folliculitis is very common to get as it is caused by the infection of the bacteria in the hair follicles that were damaged by shaving or friction from clothing. Barber’s Itch happens when damaged hair follicles are continuously shaved on the beard area. Tinea Barbe is the result of infection caused by fungus in the irritated hair follicles.
Razor bumps could appear as one single bump or many bumps on a recently shaved area. The area with razor bumps on it appears reddened. Razor bumps are sometimes filled with pus, hence known as white-headed pimples. Razor bumps can give rash to the skin, irritate it and make it itchy and uneven.
How to treat razor bumps:
Generally, razor bumps heal on its own in 3-4 days, unless an infection occurs.Let us now take a look at some of the ways that could be adopted to treat razor bumps:
Avoid shaving for 2-3 days:
One of the ways to heal razor bumps quickly then you shouldn’t shave the affected area for 2-3 days. In case you really need it, then try to use a Depilatory Cream or waxing for hair removal to avoid getting razor bumps.
Apply heat on your razor bumps:
Use a clean cloth socked in hot water and press it on your razor bumps for 5-10 minutes as it will clean up the affected area and will also kill the germs that could cause an infection.
Hydrocortisone Cream:
To get rid of redness and itching, apply hydrocortisone cream as it will help with the inflammation. Once your bumps start fading away in 1-3 days, stop using hydrocortisone cream as continuous use of it can cause rash to the skin.
Wear Loose Clothes:
Do not wear tight skin fitting clothes and try to wear clothes made out of soft and breathable fabric. Wearing a body hugging dress wouldn’t let your skin have air and it will also trap in bacteria that could cause infection.
Do not pick it:
Yes, do not pick your razor bumps as picking them will make them worse, just do not touch them until they start fading away naturally.
Do not rub them:
Not just with hands but also don’t touch them or rub them even with a piece of cloth.
Cornstarch:
Apply cornstarch on the area where you have razor bumps for 20 minutes and then rinse it off.
Cucumber and milk mask:
You can use a cucumber and milk mask, you can make it by mixing half cup of mashed cucumber pulp and a 1/4 cup of milk and then letting them cool in refrigerator and then you can apply this to your razor bumps for 10-20 minutes and rinse it off.
Razor bumps removal products:
Use razor bumps removal products available in market, products that have witch hazel and salicylic acid as the main ingredients.
Aloe Vera:
Aloe Vera creams are beneficial for your razor bumps, use them.
Tea Tree Oil:
Use Tea Tree oil on your razor bumps. It is available in creams and in sprays in market.
Prevention to avoid razor bumps
Stop Shaving so much:
Razor bumps heal on its own, but if you keep shaving the skin, it will cause the situation worse. Stop shaving your skin very often, give your razor bumps time for 3-4 days until they are disappeared completely.
Electric razor:
In case you have to shave every day, then try to use electric razor and avoid regular razor to keep your body from getting razor bumps.
Shave Correctly:
Learn how to shave correctly. You should shave your body in a correct manner to prevent yourself from not only getting bumps but also razor burns and ingrown hair.
Things to do before shaving:
One of the most important things that you should do before shaving is to soften up your skin for smooth shave. You can do that by putting warm water on the area you intent to shave or by using shaving creams.
Avoid using razors with multiple blades:
Do not use fancy razor that come with 3 or 4 blades as they lift and snap your hair back into place.
Try not to use old razors:
As old and dirty razors won’t be able to shave your hair smoothly and can cut your skin or cause irritation.
Use antiseptics:
Like Tea tree oil to protect that area you shaved from getting any razor bumps and any kind of infections.
Avoid rubbing, picking at and popping:
Your razor bumps. Inflamed razor bumps usually have fluid in them and they shouldn’t be pooped as this will enlarge their size and make them look worse and irritated.
Depilatory cream:
Could also be used instead of razors to avoid razor bumps.
Getting rid of Bikini Bumps:
It is very important to use proper shaving techniques
Do not shave against the grain
Shave bikini area first, as the blade of the razor is sharpest. Only then move to less sensitive leg areas.
Do not forget to soften up your skin of bikini area before you shave
Use shaving gel made for the bikini area, it will soften the skin.
Also apply warm water on bikini area or soak a piece of cloth in warm water and then apply it on the skin for 5 minutes.
The reason for all this is to make your skin softer, as it is easy to shave off hair when skin is softer.
Use new razors:
While shaving your bikini area, do not think of using an old blade just for the sake that it’s not your face it’s still a sensitive area of your body. Old blades could cut your skin and carry germs on them.
Remain clean and germ free:
If you use a regular soap, try with germicidal soap.
Wear loose underwear made out of cotton.
Use an after shave like Lidocaine after you’re done shaving your bikini area, it kills germs that could cause bikini bump.
By following above mentioned guidelines, one can surely avoid getting razor bumps. And for those who have already got ugly and painful razor bumps on their bodies can now apply the remedies mentioned in this article to make their razor bumps go away and make their skin beautiful ad flawless.
