Summer is here, which means for most of us it’s time to bust out our best razors!
That also means it’s time to figure out how to get rid of razor bumps in time to wear your favorite bikini.
I know the feeling all too well because I have fairly sensitive skin, especially when shaving my bikini line.
I always thought the razor bumps were something I would just have to deal with. Nothing seems to be able to prevent them completely, even when I use shaving cream.
But there are a few more tricks that you might not know about.
I also want to figure out how to get rid of ingrown hairs, because they are another huge part of the razor bump issue for me.
Lucky for you, I’ve done all the research to figure out how to prevent and cure these issues.
It’s easier than you might think! So in today’s article, we are talking about home remedies, razors, and other tricks you can use to get rid of razor bumps and ingrown hairs!
How to Prevent Razor Burn
There is really no sure-fire way to prevent those awful shaving bumps. But I do have a few suggestions that just might help!
It’s going to seem like a lot at first. Then again, you might already do most of these things and just need to add a few extra steps to your routine!
Either way, I hope that this is helpful in the end to help you prevent those terrible shaving bumps.
1. Never use dull razors! I know it can be tempting just to use whatever you have when you’re out of fresh razors. But it’s honestly better to skip a day of shaving and stop at the store for new razors. Your legs will thank you!
2. Shave every other day or only a few times a week. This will give the hair time to grow in enough to be shaved properly. That will cause a lot less irritation in the long run.
I know it can be hard to stick to this rule in the summertime because you want to have beautifully smooth legs for summer. But honestly, who’s going to notice a little stubble anyway?
3. Exfoliate gently before you shave! This might seem unnecessary, but when you exfoliate, you are removing all the dead skin and things that might clog your pores.
There are exfoliating cloths that you can get or even exfoliating body scrubs! Maybe you already have a favorite! Either way, they can be super helpful when you are trying to prevent razor burn.
4. Make sure to shave in the shower. The water will make things a lot easier on your skin. Shaving cream is another huge help.
I use it mainly in the wintertime when my skin is the most sensitive, but I should really consider using it all year round. You should too!
5. Don’t rush when you’re shaving. You only want to go over each area one time and don’t press in too hard as you shave.
Both will cause more inflammation and make matters worse. You just want to be armed with a good razor for the job!
This last suggestion should be obvious, but some of you may not have considered it before. But don’t shave over pre-existing bumps. That will just make them worse, and they will last even longer.
How to Get Rid of Razor Burn and Ingrown Hairs
Razor burn can be so uncomfortable. It’s always itchy or irritated. Not to mention it looks terrible. But there are a few steps you can take to get rid of shaving bumps!
It can be simpler than we all thought, but it’s going to take some trial and error to find out what really works for you. But even if you have to test out every single one, I think it will be worth it in the end!
Aloe Vera
This is something we have all used to help with sunburn at one point or another. But did you know it can also help with those pesky bumps on legs caused from shaving? It will do wonders to soothe irritated skin.
You can actually use an aloe vera plant if you have one around the house. Just cut off a leaf and use a little bit of the gooey center on your bumps.
They are also available in stores. But aloe vera gel is also an option! Just make sure to get a natural one with no dyes or fragrances!
Hot Compress
The warmth from a hot compress will open your pores. That will allow the ingrown hair to break free.
I typically get these right on my bikini line, and it’s the worst.
Most of the time I just wait until the hair finally pops to the surface. By using a hot compress, you can avoid a lot of discomfort by bringing the hair to the surface with some help!
Witch Hazel
Some people have never heard of this product, which makes it a little funny when you suggest that they should use it!
But you can normally find this with the rubbing alcohol at most stores. It is a natural antiseptic that will reduce the inflammation in the skin. That will be a big help when preventing ingrown hairs from getting infected.
Tea Tree Oil
This is a product with some really great benefits! It has a lot of uses, but in this case, it makes a fantastic antiseptic!
Keep in mind that it is some pretty strong stuff. It is recommended to dilute with water before applying to your skin.
I typically use it straight on my skin if I’m only using it once or twice a week. But it can really dry out your skin that way, which I learned the hard way. Whoops.
White or Black Tea Bags
I know this sounds really odd. But these contain some great ingredients to reduce inflammation. That will at the very least soothe your razor bumps until they fade!
All you have to do is wet the tea bag with warm (not hot) water and place on the affected area! Super simple and really beneficial!
Coconut Oil
This seems to be one of those suggestions I keep coming back to. Coconut oil is really a miracle product!
This not only has antibacterial properties, but it will also give your shaving bumps some much-needed moisturization!
So this is the perfect thing to use post-shave to prevent razor bumps from happening!
Or if they have already happened, it will help get rid of them!
The Best Razor Blades
When it comes to razors, everyone is different. But the key to getting a good shave is having the best tools for the job.
So I chose a few of the best razors I could find. This is all based on the reviews from customers, not personal experience. I’m a fan of getting well-loved products with fantastic reviews.
So these are a few of the best razor blades I could find!
Basic Razor with Blades: The Gillette Venus Extra Smooth 5 Blade Razor can be found on Amazon. It gives you a super smooth finish! There’s no need to press hard or shave over each spot multiple times because this razor will do all the work for you! It also comes with two replacement heads, and you can always order more on Amazon as well! It’s also such a familiar brand that you should be able to find the razor and razor blades at most stores.
Best Bikini Razor: The Sminiker Professional Women’s Electric 4 in 1 Razor is a little more expensive, but it will last so long and has multiple heads. That will make shaving in certain areas much easier because you have a little help and more options. This was another product with great customer reviews!
Razor for Sensitive Skin: Schick Intuition Sensitive Care Razor with natural aloe is another great product you can get on Amazon. I don’t know if this is the best razor for sensitive skin, but it’s definitely the one I’m the most interested in. You can also get refills for this razor, so changing out razor heads will be really easy! The addition of aloe will help soothe your skin as you shave, which should really help prevent razor bumps.
Safety Razor: I have never used a safety razor before. But based on the reviews I was looking at, this BAILI Safety Razor is a fantastic option! It comes as a set with a stand and five blades for a great price on Amazon.
Which razor you choose is totally up to you. I can understand if none of these are the best razors for you.
But I would highly recommend finding the perfect one for your needs. That is really the first and most important step in learning how to prevent razor bumps!
FAQs
1. First, what are razor bumps?
Small, swollen pimples known as “razor bumps” develop after shaving when hairs curl back into the skin or grow sideways rather than outward.
2. Why do people get razor bumps?
Too close shaving, dull blades, shaving against the grain, clogged pores, and naturally coarse or curly hair are common causes.
3. How can I avoid getting razor bumps?
Use a razor with a sharp blade, shave in the direction that hair grows, soften your hair with warm water first, apply shaving cream or gel, and don’t press the blade down too hard.
4. How can I get rid of razor bumps fast?
To lessen inflammation, use warm compresses, mild exfoliation, calming products like aloe vera, or over-the-counter hydrocortisone creams.
5. If I get razor bumps, should I stop shaving?
Stopping shaving for a while promotes hair growth and lessens irritation, which speeds up the healing process for bumps.
6. Are razor burns and bumps the same thing?
No, razor bumps are caused by ingrown hairs that result in elevated bumps, whereas razor burn is a general skin irritation or redness after shaving.
7. Are some skin types more susceptible to razor bumps?
Indeed. Because hair naturally curls back into the skin, people with coarse or curly hair are more vulnerable.
8. Are razor bumps lessened by electric razors?
Usually, yes, as they reduce the likelihood of hairs growing inward by cutting less closely than manual razors.
9. Can razor bumps be avoided by exfoliating?
Indeed. Dead skin cells that can hold hairs beneath the surface are removed by gentle chemical or physical exfoliation.
10. When should I visit a doctor?
A doctor may recommend topical antibiotics or retinoids if the bumps become painful, infected, pus-filled, or persistent.
Summary
I know it can be hard to prevent razor bumps, I have a lot of trouble with them myself. But after doing all this research, I’m hoping to get rid of mine once and for all! Because everyone is so different, I can understand if you need to try out a few of these suggestions to see what works best for you.
That’s exactly what I will be doing. But the most important thing is making sure you have a good routine and an even better razor! That will make a huge difference for you either way. So try taking it step-by-step, and I’m sure you will be able to figure out how to get rid of your own razor bumps!
Related Article: 10 Best Shaving Creams for Ingrown Hairs
