How to Get Rid of Razor Bumps

The agony of shaving to look neat and tidy and ending up with a cluster of razor bumps! It can be frustrating indeed. Ending up with exactly the opposite of what you were aiming for, can make you want to pull the hair off your head. The real problem of razor bumps is that of ingrown hair, or hair that grows beneath the skin, while shaving, as a method of unwanted hair removal. It mostly appears red and inflamed, and is commonly misunderstood as acne. A closer look will reveal the ingrown hair that can cause itching and sometimes, even rashes. This problem occurs when the razor used is blunt, or old. Sometimes, the lack of knowledge about proper shaving methods are the reason. Men are faced with the problem of razor bumps on the face, while women mostly face this problem on the arms and the legs. Here are some solutions to this problem.

Helpful Tips

Razor bumps can even become infectious in rare cases. Though there is no miraculous overnight treatment, these tips will help them heal faster than they usually do.

• Several lotions have been developed specially for razor bumps. They are hypo-allergenic in nature and are, therefore, useful when applied immediately after shaving. Apart from these, you may also use a mild, unscented moisturizing lotion to soothe the irritation caused by these bumps.
• For men, using a cleanser to wash the face everyday can get rid of razor bumps.
• Applying some cornstarch on the affected area for 20 minutes, followed by rinsing it off, has proven to be an effective home remedy for razor bumps.
• Using an ice pack or cold water on the affected area will take care of the consequent inflammation and itching.
• Do not try to squeeze out the ingrown hair as it will only aggravate the condition.
• Rubbing an astringent that contains alcohol, or an antiseptic solution after shaving will help prevent any possibility of an infection.
• Aloe Vera gel is known to soothe itchy and irritated skin. Not only that, its uses have been effective even in attaining clear skin. Apply it on the affected area twice a day for best results.
• Using a cucumber and milk mask is a good remedy to clear those razor bumps. Add ½ a pureed cucumber to ¼ cup of milk, and cool in the refrigerator. Apply this solution on the affected area with cotton and rinse after a few minutes. See and feel the difference for yourself.
• Allow the bumps to heal before attacking them with a razor again.

Prevention

Instead of finding methods to get rid of them, here are some methods to prevent the development of razor bumps.

• The most important rule of shaving is to shave in the direction of hair growth and not in the opposite direction. This will leave the skin smooth after shaving.
• Moisturizing the skin after shaving is a must to stimulate the follicles and encourage the hair to grow out and not beneath the skin.
• Avoid using old razors as they become blunt and don't function as effectively.
• Ideally, women should not shave! Instead, they should try safe hair-removing creams. These soften the hair and gently remove them, thus, preventing the harsh effects of shaving. Also, these contain moisturizers that are essential for the skin. As such, they leave little possibility for the appearance of razor bumps or ingrown hair.
• Before shaving, soften the hair by washing the area with warm water thoroughly. The process of shaving will become less rough, and will prevent the occurrence of razor bumps.

These techniques should definitely help you shave your way to smooth, clear skin!