Razor bumps and razor burns

Razor burn is irritation of the skin usually caused by not using a sharp enough blade so the skin is dragged and chafed or by not using the correct technique. Razor burn usually presents itself as a mild rash and some redness of the skin may occur usually 2-4 days after shaving. It can be short lived and disappear in a few days or can last for days if severe enough. If you experience a rash at the time of shaving it is usually more to do with the skin being too dry during the shaving process, applying too much pressure, going against the natural growth direction or shaving too closely.

Razor bumps can occur on the face after shaving but also in areas where the hair removed is coarse and the area sensitive such as genital area shaving. Curly hair also tends to curl inwards as it grows and can curl back into the skin causing inflammation and can also cause pimple like bumps. These papules or pustules that form can be red and sore especially if the area becomes infected.

Pseudofolliculitis Barbae is the medical term for ingrown hairs and these can be two gifferent types -   transfollicular and extrafollicular. The transfollicular hair never leaves the hair follicle and the extrafollicular hair is a hair that has exited the follicle and reentered the skin.

Tips for Prevention:

• Keep the face or area being shaved well lubricated.
• Shave in the direction of the hair growth.
• Use a sharp blade and avoid dull blades.
• Cleanse the face first to soften the hair growth.
• Shave lightly –don’t apply too much pressure.
• Use an aftershave that has no irritating ingredients and is an effective moisturiser. Skinsaviour Cream was formulated for sensitive skins and is ideal for use after shaving.
• Avoid colognes and aftershaves on the affected area.
• Gentle exfoliation – lightly rub over with a washcloth the area after shaving to help prevent razor bumps forming. Ingrown hairs may be gently squeezed to release the hair.
• Severe chronic cases may need to let beards grow or investigate other forms of hair removal such as laser or electrolysis.
• Seek medical advice if the rash or bumps do not heal.

What is an ingrown hair?

An ingrown hair is either a hair that fails to grow out of the hair follicle and stays embedded under the surface of the skin or a hair that when it starts to grow changes direction and begins to grow back in on itself. Although they can happen naturally, usually it is waxing or shaving that causes them. Usually you first notice one because they itch or feel uncomfortable and if left untreated can be painful and become infected. Ingrown hairs can look a little like a small pimple in the later stages. If the inflammation extends beyond the immediate area of the ingrown hair or after you have treated the ingrown hair it still persists you should consider getting it checked by a do

What do I do?

Ingrown hairs can be simply treated by following the instructions below and you will need to arm yourself with a clean washcloth and some warm water, a mild antiseptic, pointy nosed tweezers and a small needle you have sterilised in boiling water.

• Gently apply a washcloth to the ingrown hair until it grows cool down and repeat again – this often helps bring the hair closer to the surface and softens the top of the skin covering the hair.

• Use a small needle to pierce any pimple that has formed over the ingrown hair and gently try to remove the ingrown hair by teasing it out.

• If a head has formed gently squeeze with a tissue until it has all gone and you can see the ingrown hair.

• Don’t try to pull the hair out – it may form again – you are trying to release the hair to grow normally.

• Apply an antiseptic to the area with a cotton wool ball to minimise the chance of infection.

How do I minimise ingrown hairs?

• Wear looser clothing if you suffer from ingrown hairs, tight clothing is a big cause of causing ingrown hairs to form, especially on the legs.

• Exfoliating regularly will help ingrown hairs. Exfoliating gloves are easy and quick to use and can be thrown in the washing machine to keep them clean of bacteria.

• Don’t use harsh exfoliators that can strip the skin of oils and dry it out making ingrown hairs more likely to form.

• Don’t use loofahs as they can’t be washed very easily and can harbour bacteria.

• Use cleansers and moisturisers that are non comodegenic, that is they won’t block the pores and make ingrown hairs more common.

• Cleansing the skin morning and night will keep the hair follicles and pores clear and remove grime and dead skin cells allowing the hair to grow more freely.

• Do not use products with alcohol that dry the skin.

• Use a long lasting hydrating moisturiser that will keep the hair soft all day and help prevent it in growing.

• Many men suffer ingrown hairs from shaving. Try leaving the hair fractionally longer by not using a multi blade razor as the hair is less likely to become ingrown if it is not shaved too closely.

• Don’t pull the skin too tight as this also makes the shave closer than you need.