Razor bumps are one of the most unsightly and irritable things we could get from shaving. The red and itchy bumps are a result of infected follicles with bacteria and most of the time, they disrupt our way of life and our daily pursuit for a clean shaven look.
But what if you have the techniques and products that will allow you to shave without the worry of having any razor bumps? And even if you do get them, will you be armed with the remedies to deal with them? This is the day that you’d make razor bumps a thing of the past by checking out our ten most effective ways to get rid of razor bumps.
1. A Hot Shower Before Shaving
Cleansing your pores in the shower before shaving will be effective in preventing your follicles from getting infected with bacteria. A hot shower helps to open up pores and also helps to soften the hair and remove any bacteria that clogs the pores. A good cleanser would also help to further cleanse your face and prepare it for a good shave.
2. Never Use A Dirty or Dull Blade
A dull or dirty blade is one of the main recipes for razor bumps. Because of the irregularities of a dull blade, it is able to cut your skin more often than a sharp one will. Blades with rust is a big no-no, and should be discarded immediately. Take good care of your blade to extend the lifespan of it by removing any hair trapped between the blades.
3. Go With The Flow
And that means shaving to the direction your hairs are growing and not going against it. Shaving against the direction your hairs are growing will increase the risk of ingrown hairs as it changes the way it grows back. By using very light pressure, you will able to shave comfortably and effectively as pressure increases the risk of microscopically cutting your skin which causes irritation.
4. Rinse Face With Cold Water After Shave
Rinsing your face with cold water after shaving actually closes your pores and preventing them from getting clogged with bacteria. If you don’t believe us, try looking at your pores in the mirror after a cold rinse down and you will realise that your pores have turned substantially smaller.
5. Use A Pre-Shave Oil
The good thing about pre-shave oil is that it allows your hair to grow straighter and it moisturizes the skin so that hairs don’t curl and grow inwards causing ingrown hairs but most importantly, it makes your hair grow softer so that it’s easier to shave away.
6. Use Aloe Vera
If you do get razor bumps, one of the most effective ways of getting rid of them is to use Aloe Vera. Aloe Vera has been proven to soothe any kinds of skin irritation and razor bumps are one of them. You can buy Aloe Vera gel from your local pharmacists or if you grow an Aloe Vera plant, just snip one leaf off and apply on the bumps directly.
7. Use Tea Tree Oil
Tea Tree Oil is proven to be an anti-bacterial oil that is effective in killing bacteria. However, using pure Tea Tree Oil might be counter-productive and might further irritate the skin as it is very strong. So always dilute it with water or other essential oils such as peppermint when applying it.
8. Use Hydrocortisone Cream
Hydrocortisone cream has always been the “go-to” cream to help razor bumps. Hydrocortisone is a topical steroid that would help stop the chemicals in our body that causes swelling and inflammation. The cream helps reduce razor bumps very quickly but must be used with care and upon your doctor’s advice.
9. Witch Hazel
The old grandmother’s remedy for any skin irritation still works wonders till this day. Because Witch Hazel has an antiseptic property to it, it can calm irritated skin by leaving your skin with a nice tingling and cool feeling just like Aloe Vera Gel.
10. Apple Cider Vinegar
A natural antiseptic, Apple Cider Vinegar not only helps in soothing the skin from the irritation, it also helps to heal the skin. Simply dab a cotton ball into the Apple Cider Vinegar and apply it over the affected area.
There are other old tricks that have been practiced by men and women for the longest time. One of them is to use cucumbers because it is high in Vitamin K and C which are known for its skin healing abilities. Another old remedy would be to use Olive Oil and to increase its effectiveness, mix it with 5 drops of Tea Tree Oil. Apply it on the affected area with a cotton ball and leave it for 15 minutes on the skin.
Featured photo credit: Nejron Photo via shutterstock.com
