If you’ve ever experienced razor bumps, or ingrown hairs, you know how itchy, red and/or infected they can get. Learn how to avoid these unsightly and annoying red bumps in the future.
Prep Your Hair Before You Shave
Since ingrown hairs occur from shaving, it makes sense that prepping your hair before you shave is the first step in preventing them. Hair is much easier to shave when it is wet, and it is also helpful to use a shaving cream that helps a razor glide easier over hairs, preventing razor burn and ingrown hairs. Exfoliation is another great prepping technique as it helps to remove the dead skin, allowing for a smoother shave.
Use an Electric Razor
Sure, an electric razor doesn’t give you the closest shave, but this is actually a good thing because close shaves actually cause more ingrown hairs. Electric razors create an effective barrier between your skin and the blade, preventing ingrown hairs. They also make the shaving process faster. They are more versatile than manual razors, as they make it easier for men to shave facial hair such as beards, mustaches and sideburns. Electric razors also reduce the amount of nicks and cuts that are bound to happen when shaving manually.
Treat Your Blades Right
If you’re opting for a disposable razor or a single blade, you will want to treat the blades with care. It might sound obvious, but avoiding ingrown hairs while shaving starts with keeping the blades extra sharp. You can keep your blades sharp by dipping the razor into isopropyl alcohol immediately after use as well as changing out the blades after every fifth use (depending on the dullness of the blade). Shaving with the grain will also help to prevent ingrown hairs. When it comes to pressure, tread lightly. Whether you use an electric razor or a disposable razor, you want the razor to simply glide over the skin to prevent any tugging or unnecessary pressure. You can also read our guide on the proper way to clean and maintain electric shavers.
Pamper Yourself
Just like you have to treat your skin before you shave, it’s important to treat your skin after you shave. Splashing your recently shaved skin with cold water will help to tighten pores. If you’ve shaved your face, invest in a quality aftershave that does not contain alcohol, which could cause uncomfortable dryness or inflammation. If you’ve shaved your legs, moisturize with your favorite lotion, but just like the aftershave mentioned above, you’ll want to avoid any moisturizer with alcohol in it.
Mix It Up
Not into shaving? Avoid the waxing salon and reach for the chemical hair remover instead. These dissolve the shaft of the hair, making it less likely you’ll get an ingrown hair. Just remember to spot-test the chemical hair remover on your skin to make sure you won’t have an adverse reaction to the chemicals in it. If you do opt for a chemical hair removal product, choose those that are semi-permanent or permanent.
Ingrown hairs might seem like an unavoidable part of shaving, but if you take care with the steps above you can avoid those itchy – red bumps and irritated skin, as well as nicks and cuts for an all-round smoother shave.