How Do You Get Rid of Razor Bumps?

Razor bumps, or pseudofolliculitis barbae, are small bumps that occur after shaving. Razor bumps can appear on your face, groin area, neck, armpits, legs, or anywhere you shave. They’re caused by hairs that curve back and become embedded under your skin as you shave. These small ingrown hairs create an inflammatory reaction on your skin, which is why the bumps may look irritated.

Getting rid of razor bumps involves a combination of treating the symptoms with over-the-counter (OTC) and at-home remedies, getting professional medical treatment, and making changes to your hair removal routines to prevent the bumps from recurring.

Razor Bump Symptoms

The main characteristic of razor bumps is that they are groups of small, irritated bumps that occur as a result of shaving.

Here’s what else to know about razor bump symptoms:

• Razor bumps occur most frequently in the beard area; the front of the neck, jaw, cheeks, and chin are most typically affected
• Razor bumps can occur anywhere that you shave, and are also typically found in the armpits, genital areas, and legs
• Some people have just a small group of bumps, while others may have hundreds of them
• The bumps may be skin-colored, reddish, or may look darker than your skin
• The bumps are usually about 2-5 millimeters and firm to the touch
• You may be able see an entrapped hair beneath the skin
• Usually these bumps emerge soon after shaving, but new bumps can appear one or two days after shaving
• Bumps can last for a few days or up to several weeks

What Causes Razor Bumps?

Razor bumps occur as a result of a combination of genetic propensity and environmental factors, including shaving techniques. Razor bumps are more common in individuals with curly hair, because these types of hairs are most likely to become ingrown. Razor bumps are more prevalent in people of African, Hispanic, and Middle Eastern descent.

Men who shave are most likely to be afflicted with razor bumps, but that is likely because they are more likely to shave frequently. Having curly hair and shaving it on a daily basis (or more) are major risk factors for developing razor bumps.

Risks of Razor Bumps

Even minor razor bumps, if they persist on a regular basis, can cause distress and self-esteem issues. But sometimes complications can occur with razor bumps, which present added challenges.

Some potential risks of razor bumps include:

• Hyperpigmentation of the skin, which is when the inflammatory responses cause the skin of the bump to appear darker than the rest of your skin
• Keloid scarring, which looks like a thick, firm, raised scar
• Secondary, bacterial infections can occur; symptoms may include pus and increased pain
  

Remedies for Razor Bumps

There are some simple things you can do at home and with over-the-counter (OTC) remedies to get rid of razor bumps. Here’s what to know.

Stop Shaving

If you are dealing with razor bumps, it can be helpful to refrain from shaving for a period of time. This can allow the skin to heal and it also prevents new razor bumps from forming.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association (AADA), if you stop shaving, most of your bumps should be gone within a month, and the rest will be gone in three months. If you can’t stop shaving altogether, decreasing the frequency of shaving will help prevent the bumps from recurring.

Change Your Shaving Routine

If you are unable to stop shaving while you wait for your razor bumps to heal, then you should consider adopting shaving practices for people who are prone to razor bumps. First and foremost, you’ll need to figure out which direction your hair grows and shave in that direction. Shaving cream is essential (no dry shaving), and using a hot compress on the face before shaving can help. Cold compresses and using an aftershave are helpful too.

When you shave, you may consider investing in a razor designed for sensitive skin. These types of razors prevent the types of close shaves that contribute to razor bumps. You may also consider trimming your hair with an electric razor turned to a high setting.

These shaving routine changes can be helpful as your razor bumps heal, but in some cases, different ways of managing hair removal may need to be incorporated on a long-term basis, especially if your razor bumps recur.

Try Chemical Hair Removers

Chemical hair removers that you can purchase at a drugstore may be an option for removing hair without getting more razor bumps. Still, there are risks to these, as they can irritate the skin and cause color discoloration which is sometimes permanent.

It’s recommended that you test a chemical hair remover on a small patch of skin before applying it to a larger area.

How Are Razor Bumps Treated?

If you’ve tried at-home remedies to treat your razor bumps, such as refraining from shaving and changing the way you shave, your next stop should be to see a dermatologist.

Dermatologists can offer safe and effective hair removal techniques, including laser hair removal. They can also advise you on skin creams or cleansers that may help with your symptoms. Finally, they can provide you with prescription medications to treat the bumps.

• Topical corticosteroids: Corticosteroids decrease the inflammation that is a hallmark of razor bumps. Usual treatment involves applying the corticosteroids one to two times a day for about three or four weeks. Your provider can recommend an OTC corticosteroid or prescribe one.
• Corticosteroid injection: For particularly stubborn razor bumps, your dermatologist might use a steroid injection to decrease inflammation. An example of this would be triamcinolone acetonide. This treatment is usually done when razor bumps are on the larger side or extremely inflamed.
• Oral tetracyclines: Tetracyclines (usually doxycycline) are used to treat bacterial infections as well as skin conditions like acne. They are often used for people who have serious cases of razor bumps.
• Laser treatments: Laser hair removal treatments remove your hair at the root, which prevents it from growing back and also prevents it from becoming trapped beneath the skin and forming a razor bump.
• Other treatments: Some additional treatments often used by dermatologists include topical antimicrobials, topical retinoids, or a combination of these two. An OTC option like benzoyl peroxide or hydrocortisone can be a good option to start. Glycolic acid (a type of chemical peel) may be used as an alternative to retinoids.
  

How to Prevent Razor Bumps

If razor bumps are becoming a chronic problem for you, it may be time to take steps to prevent them from recurring. This usually means making changes to your shaving routine. Here are some tips:

• Consider shaving less frequently
• Shave in the direction that your hair grows
• Shave when your skin is warm and soft, such as after a shower or after applying a warm compress
• Use a gentle cleanser before shaving, always use shaving cream, and use a soothing aftershave
• Use a sharp razor and replace the razor every 5-7 days
  

When to See a Healthcare Provider

Often, razor bumps can be treated with at-home remedies or by making tweaks to your shaving routine. If those don’t help, it may be time to see a dermatologist. Your provider will likely take a medical history, discuss your shaving routines, and examine your razor bumps.

Razor bumps that persist can cause complications such as scarring and hyperpigmentation. You should also see a dermatologist or primary care provider if you are showing signs of an infected razor bump, such as worsening pain or pus.

A Quick Review

Razor bumps are small, inflamed bumps that occur after shaving. They often go away on their own and can be managed by shaving less frequently and making changes to your shaving routine.

Sometimes professional medical treatment is needed, especially when the razor bumps aren’t going away or aren’t responding to at-home management. It’s important to address razor bumps because they can cause scars or infections if not properly treated.