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Known formally as pseudofolliculitis barbae, and unofficially as some other names like cherry lumps, razor burn, razor rash, or razor bumps. This condition is usually caused by shaving.
Razor bumps are caused by the hair follicle either failing to exit the skin while regrowing or re-entering the skin in a different area. It can then cause itchy, red, painful, and sometimes puss-filled bumps on the skin.
So, irrespective of whether you are suffering from ingrown hairs, bikini bumps, razor bumps, razor rash, shaving bumps, etc.. they are all basically the same issue.
NOTE:
People who have coarse or curly hair or acne, are more predisposed.
Try not to pick at your razor bumps or ingrown hairs. They’ll take longer to heal and you’ll increase the risk of scarring, infection, or discolouration.
In severe cases, electrolysis or laser hair removal might be recommended to prevent future razor bumps.
NATURAL REMEDIES
Use these tips to help prevent razor bumps/razor burn :
1. EXFOLIATE WITH A NATURAL SCRUB
In cases where one develops pimples, pustules or inflamed skin due to razor burn – exfoliating with a natural scrub may help slough off old skin debris and ease the issue of ingrown hairs. Avoiding severe or chemical-based exfoliants on the skin where possible.
Exfoliate to help clear the follicle openings, with:
Mild natural abrasives, like: fine sugar or salt, bicarb of soda, used coffee filter grounds, finely ground almonds, rice flour, walnut shell powder, oatmeal, jajoba 'beads', or even cinnamon.
Chemical exfoliators can be a little harsh, like: retinoids (Vit A), glycolic or salicylic acids, hydroxy acids, or benzoyl peroxides - but in some cases may be necessary. Consult your health practitioner.
EXAMPLE HOME RECIPE: Blend paw-paw/papaya with oatmeal and yoghurt to get a wash which is delicate on your skin. Raw papaya is also a fantastic skin remedy for razor bumps in the bikini area especially, helping to cut inflammation and eliminating dead skin from the surface. Add chia seeds for an added “scrub” effect. PS: can be eaten as well 😊
2. USE A WARM COMPRESS
A WARM compress with a clean warm wet towel/facecloth held to the affected area for about five minutes BEFORE shaving - is one of the simple yet effective natural remedies for preventing (and treating) razor bumps. Doing this softens the skin, opens pores and hair follicles, allowing bacteria, sebum, and hair, which are trapped inside, to come out, thus easing the issue of ingrown hair bumps and pimples.
For those with oilier or acne-prone skin - soak your towel/cloth in hot water with salt (sodium chloride) or Epsom salts (magnesium sulphate) – as this will help with softening, as well as disinfecting.
Splash with cold water immediately after shaving and apply a COLD compress. This technique is recommended by some people – but is not effective for everyone.
3. UTILISE LUBRICATING SHAVING CREAMS, OILS or GELS
Running your razor over naked skin can worsen the issue, so always use a lubricating shaving cream, gel or a natural moisturiser like glycerine, olive or coconut oil. Harsh soaps and shaving foams (esp. with added fragrance), can aggravate pimple formation for some people.
Plain aqueous cream can also be used as a shaving cream (even on a few days growth), as well as having added moisturising effects.
4. MOISTURIZE & SOOTHE
Virgin coconut oil has anti-bacterial properties besides a moisturising or emollient effect on the skin. Moisturising your skin with virgin coconut oil may help soften and soothe the skin and make it simpler to shave. Research shows that these properties make coconut oil an efficient atopic dermatitis remedy, folliculitis home remedy, and other inflammatory skin disease treatment.
Aloe vera is a very soothing and cooling anti-bacterial agent for inflamed skin, it might also heal those bumps making it a great affordable razor burn home remedy. Use aloe cream to decrease redness and plain aloe gel for swelling or discolouration.
5. REDUCE SHAVING FREQUENCY
Allow the hair to grow out so the skin can settle. Avoid shaving for as long as 2-3 weeks or until the lesions clear up. You might also try cutting down on how often you shave so the hair is a bit longer and may be cut whenever you shave, reducing chances of re-entry. EG: shave alternate days instead of every day.
6. TURMERIC & NEEM
Ayurveda has long used neem and turmeric due to their anti-bacterial and wound healing properties. Turmeric and neem contain anti-oxidant properties that reduce infection, kill bacteria and reduce marks on the skin caused by ingrown hairs. They also help treat acne and scars.
EXAMPLE MASK RECIPE 1: Home-made remedies suggest steaming neem leaves and applying this to the skin utilizing a clean cotton pad. To use with turmeric, boil neem leaves, turmeric powder and coconut oil, let cool and run through a sieve. The result is dark green/orange oil, looks like liquid gold, and works very well.
EXAMPLE MASK RECIPE 2: 2tsp rice flour, ¼ tsp turmeric powder, 1tsp honey, a few drops of neem oil, and 2 tsp yoghurt. Mix everything in a bowl and apply an even layer over your face. Leave for 10 minutes and then wash the mask off with cold water and avoid using soap.
Turmeric for razor bumps is amazing, but can be messy and stain everything you touch an orange colour! Alternatively, you can use a turmeric-based cream or beauty products to avoid the hassle.
7. GARLIC
Allium sativum or garlic contains organo-sulphur compounds which is a known anti-inflammatory/ antifungal/anti-bacterial agent, making it a good treatment for an assortment of skin problems. Consuming a couple of cloves of raw garlic daily or adding some grated into your meals may not be a bad idea if you would like to cure razor bumps that are constantly becoming infected and pussy. Add a little garlic to foods; or drink a glass of water with a spoon of garlic stirred into it daily, to get a cleanse that cuts inflammation all around (although your breath may smell a little garlicy). In addition, one research study found that utilizing a remedy that garlic and neem helped 50% of cases of folliculitis to go off in just 14 days of therapy.
8. CORRECT SHAVING TECHNIQUE
Prevention is always better than cure - so by shaving correctly and paying attention to your shaving technique - can help to tackle razor burn naturally.
The main technique is to always shave in the exact SAME DIRECTION as the hair growth, don’t go against the grain and never stretch your skin to shave. If the technique is right, one stroke should be adequate to clear each section. Finding the “grain” can be done by rubbing the places where your hair grows. The direction that feels smoother is "with the grain", and the direction that gives resistance when you rub it, is "against the grain."
An ELECTRIC RAZOR may be better for preventing razor burn/bumps than a manual blade razor. Set it to low, to keep the hair slightly longer (eg: neck area). This makes it less likely to curve and grow back into the skin and form a bump. There are some products like pre-shave optimizer and pre-shave oil that can improve the effectiveness of an electric shave.
With a MANUAL RAZOR, some say a single blade is less likely to cause razor burn/bumps than a double or triple blade razor – AND don’t press too hard!
9. CHANGE YOUR BLADE FREQUENTLY
Change your blade as soon as you feel it is getting blunt/dull. The average blade is only suitable for about a max. of 7 shaves, but for a few people with coarser and curlier hair, this could be as little as 2-3 shaves. The other benefit from changing the blade regularly is that you've got a completely clean razor - ie: one less likely to have germs or bacteria which could infect your skin
10. DISINFECT
After every time you use your blade, rinse off with warm water, washing away anything that is trapped. Your blade is filling with hair, dead skin and shaving cream with each stroke, so if you are not rinsing effectively, it can easily build up and reduce the sharpness and glide - resulting in a spotty shave along with nicks and razor burn.
After your shave, you can use a blade brush or even just an old toothbrush to help brush away any remaining hair and skin fragments stuck in the blade.
You want to make sure that your blade is as sterile as possible - so apply some HOCL, hydrogen peroxide or tea tree oil before, and then again just before you shave - can help to eliminate any trapped bacteria.
If you are prone to razor pimples that develop pus in them – this could indicate bacterial infection.
After shaving, apply HOCL over the affected area - dab with a clean cotton pad or spray on. This mild salt-“chlorine” is a potent disinfectant – with antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties – but is gentle enough for babies, and animals. It can also be diluted with distilled water and gargled, used as an eye wash or in a nasal spray, or can even be nebulised for chest infections.
NOTE:
People who have coarse or curly hair or acne, are more predisposed.
Try not to pick at your razor bumps or ingrown hairs. They’ll take longer to heal and you’ll increase the risk of scarring, infection, or discolouration. In some cases, gentle pressure with 2 disinfected cotton buds, can help release the pus and the ingrown hair.
In severe cases, electrolysis or laser hair removal might be recommended to prevent future razor bumps.
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