How To Prevent Razor Bumps

[toc]Razor bumps are often caused due to hasty or rough shaving or forced hair removal with a blunt blade. In addition to causing redness and irritation in the area, razor bumps can become infected and cause the bumps to become inflamed or infected. Repeated shaving on the bump area can lead to scarring, scratches and swelling.

Closely shaven hair has a sharp edge that can penetrate the skin leading to inflammation, rashes or irritation. If you are unsure of how to prevent razor bumps and get a smooth shave, follow the steps below for a close shave that cuts hair you do not want yet gives you soft, smooth and glowing skin. These are few tips you can follow at home to prevent razor bumps while shaving.

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14 Ways To Prevent Razor Bumps

Let Your Hair Grow

Before you use a razor to cut hair, let it grow out a bit. Do not try to shave when it is too thin or difficult to catch with the razor as this leads to skin irritation and redness, and in rare cases, allergic reactions from the body. Facial hair, underarm hair, beard, arm or leg hair should be a little longer than stumps to stop razor bumps on the skin. Let your hair grow half an inch before you cut it with a razor.

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Throw Out Blunt Razors

A dull or rusted razor can damage the skin causing redness, itching or irritation. In some cases, rusted razors cutting the skin can cause tetanus and other diseases. A dull or blunt razor prevents you from getting a clean shave by snagging hair and irritating the hair follicles causing itching, redness and razor bumps.

Always use a sharp razor and replace the blade once a month at least. Do not use sharp objects to remove fine hair from razor blades as this leads to the blades becoming blunt and unusable.

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Shaving Brush

A shaving brush is one of the best ways of getting rid of razor bumps. A brush lifts the hair up helping you get a closer shave and allow the razor to strike your skin at a closer angle so you get a clean swipe instead of a razor bump that occurs often when the hair is not standing properly.

The shaving brush avoids sharp angles that make hair growing into the skin more probable causing bumps. Try to make enough time while shaving to include lathering the area with soap on a shaving brush and then using the razor for a clean shave.

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Shave In The Direction Of Hair Growth

Contrary to common belief, shave your face, arms and legs in the direction of hair growth as opposed to popular advice telling you to shave against the direction of hair growth. Cutting hair against its natural growth direction results in changing the growth patterns increasing the probability of a razor bump cropping up or ingrown hair.

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Apply Aftershave

After shaving, rinse the portion of your body with cold water and use a nourishing alcohol-free after shave that moisturizes and soothe the skin. Apply an aftershave gel, lotion or cream. Choose an oil-free product with minimum chemical composition for a moisturizing effect.

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Neosporin

Neosporin is a great way to get rid of razor bumps as it prevents the formation of these bumps and helps to get rid of them once they occur. Neosporin is a medicine that you can get over the counter, without the requirement of a doctor’s prescription. Apply this medicine that is in the form of a light paste on a shaved area for a smooth and razor-bump free shave.

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Aloe Vera Gel

Aloe Vera is a natural moisturizer that prevents as well as cures a razor bump. The gel is pleasant smelling and softens the skin after a shave to prevent irritation, redness and itching, as well as razor bumps. Use the gel with water or use a moisturizer or after shave based on aloe vera and apply to the skin to prevent these bumps from sprouting all over your hands and legs.

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Exfoliate Before Shaving

Exfoliation of your skin will clear dead skin cells so that you get a smooth and close shave without dirt and grit obstructing your blade causing you to apply more pressure leading to bumps.Before shaving your arms, legs or face, use an exfoliating loofah, scrub, mitt or any other item to clean dead skin, dust and other particles settled on the skin.

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Shaving Cream

Shaving cream softens the hair on your skin and makes it easier to cut. Soap, shampoo or shower gel work as good substitutes to give you a smooth shave and stop razor bumps by lathering sufficiently so the blade moves smoothly over your skin. Do not pull your skin very hard while shaving, just enough to keep it taut. If you pull very hard, this increases the likelihood of razor bumps.

Use a sharp blade to shave with a single stroke as far as possible to remove hair from a section of the leg. For sensitive skin, use an electric razor prevents razor bumps that one gets with a standard razor.

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Frequency Of Shaving

Razor bumps occur if you shave too frequently. Wait for your hair to grow for about three days before the next shave allowing your skin to heal between consecutive shaves. Shaving frequently will not only cause the skin to peel, dry out or roughen, it also triggers sensitivity and irritation, causing pain and redness while shaving.

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Alternate Hair Removal Methods

Try and use other hair removal methods like waxing, hair removal creams and hair removal gadgets to get rid of razor bumps that occur during shaving. Alternate shaving with these techniques so that your body has a chance to heal and you get to flaunt smooth arms and legs.

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Speed

Shave slowly and with long strokes. Do not run a hasty shave as this could lead to cuts, itching, rashes and razor bumps. Find a rhythm that suits your body contours and skin sensitivity perfectly. Shaving to slowly or to quickly are both harmful to the skin. Move the razor along your skin at a pace that requires minimum effort and garners maximum results.

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Warm Water

Wash your skin with warm water before shaving to open up the hair follicles. Apply cream or soap and shave for an easy, close and smooth shave. This should precede the exfoliation step. Warm water softens the skin, removes dirt and grit and open hair follicles for an easy, smooth shave.

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The Perfect Shaving Routine

For the perfect shave, use a brand new razor that is from a reputed company or replace the blunt blade of your previous razor with a sharp one. Wash your hands, face or legs with warm water and exfoliate with a scrub to remove dead skin cells and bacteria. Apply a shaving gel or soap to soften the shaving area. Shave your hair in single strokes in the direction of hair growth by gently pulling your skin taut.

After you have finished shaving, rinse with cold water and dab a little after shave gel or cream or Neosporin to moisturize the skin. Wait for about three days again when the hair has grown to about half an inch to shave the area again to stop razor bumps. Follow these shaving tips to get a smooth shave, get rid of razor bumps and prevent them from re-occurring.