Razor bumps can be painful at times and the most worrying thing is that they are unsightly. Therefore, the best thing for razor bumps is to prevent them. However, in the unfortunate event that you have already developed them, there are some remedies that you can use to treat them.
When you shave your beard regularly using a razor, chances are high that you can experience razor bumps. These are ingrown hairs that grow under the skin and they can be frustrating since they spoil the nice appearance of a clean-shaven face. Razor bumps are usually a result of using inappropriate shaving tools.
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Prevention of Razor Bumps
There are different things that you can do to prevent the development of razor bumps. Since the bumps can be frustrating, prevention can be better than cure as some people may prefer to call it. The following factors are crucial to prevent this challenge.
Practice Good Shaving Habits
Shaving is an indispensable practice if you want to maintain a fresh look. However, you must do it properly in order to prevent razor bumps from forming. For instance, you must do the following things,
- Cleanse the skin before shaving it
- Avoid shaving a dry skin
- Avoid using an old razor blade
- Use appropriate gel when shaving
- Use a sharp and fresh razor
- Reduce frequency of shaving
- Avoid products with irritating ingredients
- You must also try to change your razors periodically
It is vital to use appropriate shaving cream as well as apply the correct oil after shaving to prevent skin irritation.
Consider Using an Electric Razor
When you use a razor blade, it leaves the beard very short such that chances of growing back inside the skin are high. To avoid this, you can use an electric razor and set it low such that it can leave the hair a bit longer. This will prevent it from growing back into the skin.
Alternatively, you can try methods like using hair removal creams which can remove the hair without causing razor bumps. However, you should be careful since these creams also contain certain chemicals that can irritate the skin. If your skin is sensitive or inflamed, you would rather not use hair removal cream.
When to Visit the Doctor?
Razor bumps can show signs of healing within a few days but if you do not see any changes in about three days, then you can visit a doctor. Bumps can lead to an infection, which requires treatment with either oral or topical medicines.
If the bumps are severe, they can cause the darkening of the skin, hence the need to consult a doctor. Your doctor can prescribe appropriate medication to treat the condition or other products that can help to prevent it from recurring. The following are some of the remedies that you can consider to treat razor bumps.
Remedies for Razor Bumps
Both home remedies and conventional medication can help to address the problem of bumps.
Home Remedies
The following home remedies can significantly help you to address the challenge of razor bumps. The advantage of home remedies is that they are natural and they do not have any side effects like skin irritation.
Be Patient
Razor bumps do not pose a serious threat to your health so take some time to allow them to heal naturally. If the problem is persistent, then you can also try the following home remedies.
Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera is a natural remedy that helps to soothe skin irritation. You just break off the tip of the leaf then directly squeeze the gel onto the affected area with razor bumps. Alternatively, you can buy Aloe Vera gel or shave cream that contains this component. Avoid products with chemical components.
Hot Compress/Cool Compress
Hot compress helps to open your pores thereby freeing trapped hair. You just soak cotton wool in hot water then gently massage the affected area. On the other hand, cool compress soothes the skin and reduces redness and pain. You just wet cotton cloth then gently press it on your skin after shaving.
Witch Hazel
This is a natural antiseptic that you can use to reduce skin inflammation. Apply it to the affected area. Hydrocortisone Cream functions like hazel but it is stronger and you just apply a small amount.
Lemon Juice
Naturally, lemon juice is acidic so it helps to prevent bacteria from affecting hair follicles with ingrown hair. It also prevents infection.
Tea Tree Oil and White Tea
Tea tree oil is a strong natural anti-bacterial substance that helps reduce razor bumps. White tea, on the other hand, contains tannic acid which is helpful in reducing skin inflammation. Just press a wet tea bag against the area affected and it reduces swelling and redness.
Medication for Razor Bumps
The following medications are effective for treating razor bumps.
Topical Cream
A topical steroid helps to heal razor bumps that seem to be taking time to heal and also reduces inflammation. You can also get hydrocortisone creams from your local drug store.
Use Salicylic Acid
Salicylic acid helps to peel off dead skin cells and unclogs pores to reduce razor bumps. This will help ingrown hair to be free and find a way out of the pores.
Glycolic Acid
Glycolic acid also works like salicylic acid which helps to remove old cells from your skin. Excess skin cells usually clog the pores which results in trapping hair inside leading to razor bumps. Therefore, Glycolic acid will help the hair to come out which is the essence of treating bumps.
Conclusion
Razor bumps do not pose a serious threat to your health but they can just be irritating. On top of that, they are unsightly and spoil your appearance after shaving your beard. There are different remedies that you can use to treat the bumps that include home solutions or other medicines that you can get from pharmacies.
Apart from these remedies, the best thing for razor bumpers is to prevent them if possible. If you have any questions about how you can prevent razor bumps, then you should avoid the following things:
- Shaving dry skin
- Using old razor repeatedly
- Irritating gels
