|
Wondering where you get those acne or pimple like irritation that appear after a nice fresh shave? These painful swollen skin infections that look like red bumps are what physicians call pseudofolliculitis barbae or in laymen terms, a razor bump or razor burn.
Razor bumps are common among people with curly hair, like black people. These skin irritations appear when a newly shaven facial hair is cut at an angle and as it curls back towards the skin. While there are many ways to avoid having razor bumps such as applying shaving cream or other lubrication, reducing pressure on the shave or using a new blade, removing trapped hair after shaving is also very helpful. But men having curly facial hair does not mean that they have to deal with shaving bumps all your life.
There are things that you can do in order to avoid razor bumps. Here are some practical tips in order to solve the razor bump nightmare: 1. If you suffer from razor bumps, do not shave everyday. It is best to shave every two to three days in order to give your skin a few days of rest. You can use instead an electric razor or beard trimmer in between your shaving days. 2. Try to soften your hair using warm water before shaving. This will not only get you a cleaner shave but will also minimize razor bumps. One way to do this is to shave after taking a shower or to use a wash cloth that has been soaked in hot water and press it against your face for five minutes before you start shaving. 3. Always use as much as possible a good shaving cream and allow it to stay on your face for a few minutes just enough to make the skin and the hair soft. Do not try to shave against the base of your hair and avoid shaving the same area of your face more than twice. 4. Using facial wash with mild salicylic acid to clean your face before shaving can help prevent razor bumps and other skin irritations by removing dirt, oil, dead skin and other impurities that could lead to risk of skin infections. 5. Since razor bumps are likely to be caused by infection causing bacteria, keep your shaving razor sterile by washing it with alcohol before and after using it. This will not only make sure that you get a safer shave but also prevent bacteria from forming on your razor. 6. Once you get razor bumps, do not attempt to squeeze or prick the bumps as you would do to a pimple. It is best to use a local antiseptic or antimicrobial cream to help reduce the infection. Using mild salicylic acid, aloe vera gel or even cold water can be used to numb the razor bumps and prevent the infections from getting worse. Remember to keep in mind these simple tips while shaving in order to prevent painful razor bumps, ingrown hairs, and razor burns. While following these easy steps would likely require you to add a few more minutes of shaving time, it can, however, surely send those embarrassing and painful razor bumps away.
| 
