The primary way to get rid of razor bumps is to reduce the chance of hair reentering the skin as it regrows. Razor bumps, medically known as pseudofolliculitis barbae, are hairs in which the end grows under the skin. This creates a bump, also called an ingrown hair.
Razor bumps can occur in any area you shave or pluck hairs, including the face, head, underarms, public area, or legs. While they can occur in anyone, they are more common in people with naturally curly hair.
This article will discuss treatments, including medicated creams, shaving cessation, and prevention techniques.
How to Treat Razor Bumps
Razor bumps can be found anywhere hair is shaved or plucked. An inflammatory response occurs when the sharp tip of the hair pushes against the skin as it tries to grow out. The hair follicle begins to curve, which can make the hair tip grow back into the skin.
Razor bumps should heal on their own as you give the hair time to grow out of the skin and the irritation to heal. For that reason, the primary treatment for razor bumps is to reduce the chance of hair reentering the skin as it regrows. The best way is to stop shaving or removing the hair. However, that is not always possible.
Below are seven ways to treat razor bumps:
- Stop shaving or plucking hair in the affected area: Shaving or plucking can further irritate the inflamed area and create new razor bumps, so it's best avoided until the skin heals. Symptoms may temporarily worsen as the hair grows out, but this will subside over time.
- Modify hair removal: If stopping hair removal isn't possible, try removing hair with clippers and leave 0.5 to 1 millimeter of hair. This will help prevent the hair from growing into the skin and causing a bump. A chemical depilatory might also be used rather than shaving.
- Warm compress: Apply a warm washcloth to the area several times a day. This can help soften the skin and reduce irritation as the hair grows out. If you can't avoid shaving, make sure to first apply a warm washcloth to the area before shaving. This causes the hair shaft to swell and decreases the chance of causing a sharp tip on the regrowing hair.
- Topical anti-inflammatory creams: You can use low-potency over-the-counter (OTC) corticosteroid cream to calm inflamed razor bumps. However, if you use it on your face, it should only be used for a few days, and you must keep it away from your eyes.
- Topical benzoyl peroxide: Benoyl peroxide is commonly used for topical acne treatments. It can help reduce bacteria, dead skin cells, and oil that causes clogged pores and inflammation.
- Sterile needle hair release: While it's best to give an inflamed razor bump time to heal on its own, for a single razor bump, the hair can be pulled out from the bump with a sterile needle.
- Prescription treatments: For severe inflammation, see a healthcare provider to discuss prescription options, such as topical or oral antibiotics, prescription-strength corticosteroids, combination treatments, or steroids injected into the lesions.
Preventing and Treating Chronic Razor Bumps
If you are prone to razor bumps, you may need ongoing treatment, modifying your shaving or other hair removal methods, or permanent hair removal.
One tactic is to allow the hair to grow in the affected area rather than removing it. You can grow your beard, allow hair growth on your head, or stop removing the hair on your legs, pubic area, or underarms. However, this is not always the preferred choice.
Risk Factors for Razor Bumps
Certain factors can increase your likelihood of developing razor bumps. They include:
- Having tight, curly hair
- Stretching the skin before shaving
- Shaving against the direction of hair growth
- Using a blunt razor blade
- Dry shaving
- Shaving infrequently
- Plucking
- Having a genetic predisposition, namely being a carrier of the A12T polymorphism gene
Razor Maintenance and Type
Use a single-blade razor or an electric razor. Using a razor that has two blades can also increase the chance of razor bumps. The first blade pulls at the hair while the second blade cuts it. But the pulled hair can retract into the hair follicle and grow back into the skin, causing a bump.
It's important to use a razor with a sharp blade. Blunt blades can cause razor bumps. Change blades after five to seven shaves.
How to Treat Razor Burn
Shaving Technique
Modify your shaving technique with these tips:
- Wash your face with a gentle cleanser using a circular motion. This helps remove dead skin cells. Rinse well with warm water.
- Use warm water to soften the hair. You may consider shaving immediately after a shower to ensure the skin is moistened.
- Don't dry shave. Use a moisturizing shaving cream before shaving, whether using a blade or an electric shaver. Don't let the shaving cream dry out as you shave. If it does, rinse your face and apply more shaving cream.
- Shave in the direction the hair grows. This may mean shaving in a different direction in different areas.
- Use short shaving strokes and shave each area only once.
- Don't put too much pressure on the blade; you want to avoid shaving too closely.
- Rinse the blade after each stroke,
- When finished, thoroughly rinse off the shaving cream with warm water.
- Hold a cool compress (a washcloth wetted with cool water) over your face for a few minutes.
- Use an aftershave formulated to reduce irritated skin, not one that burns.
Training Hair Growth Direction
To make it easier to shave your hair in its direction of growth, take the time each day to train your hair to grow in one direction. Dedicate a new, soft-bristle toothbrush for this task. Each day, gently brush the hair in one direction.
Exfoliation
Exfoliating treatments remove dead skin cells and keep skin softer. Gentle skin scrubs or daily use of products that promote exfoliation, such as those with glycolic acid, salicylic acid, retinoids, or alpha-hydroxy acids, may help.
Chemical peels with glycolic or salicylic acid are a deeper form of exfoliation for occasional use.
Permanent Hair Removal
Laser hair removal may help if you continue to experience razor bumps. This method destroys hair follicles and reduces the amount of hair and its thickness.
When to See a Dermatologist for Razor Bumps
See a dermatologist (a specialist treating conditions of the skin, hair, and nails) if razor bumps do not resolve on their own or if they become inflamed or infected. A specialist will be able to determine the best treatment plan and provide prescription medications to alleviate the bumps. If razor bumps happen frequently, a dermatologist can use laser hair removal to prevent future bumps.
A dermatologist may also help in treating or preventing complications of razor bumps, such as:
- Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation: This is when the skin color darkens from the inflammatory process.
- Bacterial infection: Razor bumps can cause scratching, which can lead to an infection.
- Scarring: The razor bump can result in a scar or a more serious keloid.
Summary
Razor bumps are a common inflammatory skin condition caused by shaving or plucking hair. When the hair regrows, the tip of the hair curves and then grows down into the skin.
The best way to prevent razor bumps is to stop shaving, which will reduce ongoing irritation and creation of new razor bumps. With this, the bumps should heal without treatment.
If you must continue to remove hair in the area, you can change how you keep the hair trimmed and may use topical creams, warm compresses, and other treatments to reduce inflammation.
To prevent razor bumps or treat chronic razor bumps, you can modify how you shave, use exfoliating techniques, or have permanent hair removal.
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Nussbaum D, Friedman A.Pseudofolliculitis barbae: a review of current treatment options. J Drugs Dermatol. 2019;18(3):246-250.
Ogunbiyi A. Pseudofolliculitis barbae; current treatment options.Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2019;12:241-247. doi:10.2147/CCID.S149250
American Academy of Dermatology. Razor bump remedies for men with darker skin tones.
Manchanda K, Mohanty S, Rohatgi PC. Misuse of topical corticosteroids over face: a clinical study. Indian Dermatol Online J. 2017;8(3):186-191. doi:10.4103/idoj.IDOJ_535_15
UpToDate. Pseudofolliculitis barbae.
By Patty Weasler, RN, BSN
Weasler is a Wisconsin-based registered nurse with over a decade of experience in pediatric critical care.
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