Here’s hope for people struggling with post-shave bumps: irritated, sore skin isn’t inevitable.
You can prevent razor bumps by making changes to your shaving routine, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, which has some helpful tips.
“If you’ve ever shaved, you probably know how razor bumps feel,” said Dr. Cameron Rochsar, a board-certified dermatologist in New York.
“These painful or itchy bumps occur when shaving causes irritation the skin. The good news is that changing your shaving habits can help prevent razor bumps or cause fewer, less painful bumps,” Rochsar said in an academy news release.
For one thing, you can relearn yours hair grow in a different direction to prevent irritation caused by shaving “against the grain”. To do this, while looking in the mirror, pull the skin tightly in the place of hair growth. Your hair can grow in different directions. Train it all to grow one way by gently brushing daily with a toothbrush.
Here are other things you can do:
- Shave when your hair feels soft, at the end of the shower, or after pressing a warm, damp washcloth against your skin. This loosens the hair and causes it to swell. Then they are less likely to curl into your skin.
- Use a non-clogging detergent couples before shaving, then use a moisturizing shaving cream. Apply a soothing lotion after shaving and you will reduce the risk of bumps.
- It can also help wash off the shaving cream warm water and place a cool, damp washcloth on the freshly shaved skin.
- Clean your electric shaver after every five to seven shaves. Replace the disposable razor after the same number of shaves and store it in a dry place.
- Shaving daily, or at least every two to three days, can help because the hair has less time to grow and curl.
- You can also just stop shaving and grow your facial hair.
“Shaving razor bumps can cause permanent changes to your skin if left untreated, such as deep furrows and raised scars,” Rochsar said. “If after changing your shaving habitssee a board-certified dermatologist for relief.”
The USDA offers this fact sheet body care products.
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Citation: You can avoid these ‘razor bumps’ (2022, October 10) Retrieved October 10, 2022 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2022-10-razor.html
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