How To Get Rid Of Embarrassing Razor Bumps

If you're like me and have ever suffered from RAZOR BUMPS (also called ingrown hairs, razor burn) then you'll know how Ugly, Painful, Irritating and EMBARRASSING they can be!

They're caused when the shaved hair gets trapped inside the follicle or grows back into the skin. Ouch! This then leads to scarring, redness, swelling and itchiness (its medical term is Pseudofolliculitis Barbae or PFB for short).

I have come up with this simple 5 step article that has really helped to cure my issue with Razor Bumps, ingrown hairs and Razor Burn. By following my tips below over several weeks it should do the same for you!

Step 1:- Use active ingredients

There are loads of skin care products out there that claim to reduce ingrown hairs and cure razor bumps but very few actually really work! What you need to look for is skincare products that contain the active ingredient called Salicyclic Acid. This ingredient has been clinically proven to moisturise, exfoliate and clear your pores thereby preventing further infections.

Do: use an after shave product that contains Salicyclic Acid - that way it will stay on your skin all day long giving you added protection.

Don't: use products that contain alcohol! It will dry out your skin and increase irritation.

Step 2: - Skin preparation:

Make sure you exfoliate (removing the upper layers of dead skin) first. Daily use of a gentle face scrub with Glycolic and Salicylic Acid is particularly effective.

Do: Use a soft-bristle face brush and liquid cleanser in a circular motion on your beard to dislodge the tips of ingrown hairs, eliminate dead skin cells and clear follicles to allow hairs to surface unimpeded.

Do: Trade in your shaving cream or gel for some old-fashioned shaving soap, a mug and a badger brush. These soaps are cheap and provide superior lubrication, and the use of the brush makes hairs stand up and easier to shave. You can find them at your local supermarket.

Do: Try to shave in the shower as the warm/hot spray will make your hairs soft and opens pores, allowing you to shave effectively and comfortably and reduce outbreaks of razor bumps.

Step 3: - Change the way you shave:

One of the main causes of razor bump is by shaving too close. By shaving too close the hair stubs will end up getting stuck in the hair follicle and bam you have the start of an ingrown hair! Shave in slow, small strokes tapping the razor under hot water to clean it between each stroke as a blade full of hair won't sit evenly against the skin.

Do: make sure your razor blade is clean and sharp.

Don't: Apply too much pressure on the razor blade and shave against the grain of your hair.

It is crucial you keep this in mind while shaving because if you forget and shave too close the razor bumps will come back to torment you and it will take a while before you get rid of them again!

Step 4: - Post-Shave Care:

Splash cold water over your freshly shaven skin to close up your pores. You can also use ice if you're feeling brave! Ice works just as well as alcohol and will not dry out your skin. .

Do: Apply Aloe Vera or Tea Tree oil balm to moisturize, soothe and cool your skin.

Step 5:- How to get rid of existing ingrown hairs

To get rid of your ingrown hairs you just simple but carefully lift the ingrown end out with tweezers. I sometimes also use a sterilised needle to gentle prise the hair out if it's too deeply ingrown. Resist the urge to pull the hair out!

Do: Use products that contain Azulen and Allantoin as they will keep you comfortable and stop the itching, redness and swelling.

Don't: Do not pluck your ingrown hair out. Just lift them out of the skin otherwise the ingrown hair will only re-grow deeper and increase the problem.

There you have it! For easy to follow tips to get rid of your razor bumps all you have to do is take a couple of more minutes of shaving time and remember to keep these tips in mind.

I also suffered from razor bumps and aside from it being embarrassing and drawing attention to myself, it was painful. However, thanks to these steps I was able to get in control and improve my skin. You can do it too! You can keep on irritating your skin or you can put these steps into practice and have the smooth skin you deserve!