What Are Razor Bumps—And How Can You Prevent Them?

Razor bumps, also known as pseudofolliculitis barbae, refer to the small, inflamed bumps people sometimes get after shaving or other types of hair removal. The bumps occur after the recently shaved hair becomes ingrown, meaning it grows back into the skin rather than out. This causes an inflammatory response on the skin.

The key to managing razor bumps is learning to prevent them from happening in the first place. Making changes like shaving less frequently, changing your shaving routine, or trying alternative hair removal techniques might reduce your risk of getting razor bumps.

Some people may be more prone to razor bumps than others. If you do develop razor bumps, there are a few ways to recognize them and get rid of them quickly.

Why Do You Get Razor Bumps?

Razor bumps happen when the small hairs you shaved or removed become pushed back under your skin. In essence, razor bumps are ingrown hairs that become irritated and inflamed. The body’s inflammatory response is what causes those small red bumps you see on your skin.

While razor bumps usually happen after shaving the skin, they can happen with any kind of hair removal, including waxing and plucking. While anyone can get razor bumps, they are more common in certain individuals such as:

• People with darker skin
• People with curly hair
• People of African descent (most common)
• People of Hispanic and middle eastern descent
• Men who shave frequently (most common in the beard area)
• Women who frequently remove hair from the armpit and genital area, as well as women who have facial hirsutism (unusual hair growth on the face)
  

Where Are Razor Bumps Typically Located?

Razor bumps typically occur in areas that are shaved most frequently. For example, people who shave their face regularly will experience the most razor burn in this area. In individuals who shave their armpits, legs, or groin areas most frequently, these areas may be most affected.

Particularly on the face and neck, certain areas are more prone to developing razor bumps. The front of the neck, the jaw, the cheeks, and the chin are more likely to get razor bumps. On the other hand, the mustache and sideburn areas typically don't develop razor bumps after hair removal.

Razor Bump Symptoms

The main symptom of razor bumps is the development of small bumps on the skin after shaving. These bumps are called papules and pustules. Papules are solid inflamed bumps on the skin and pustules are inflamed bumps that are white or yellow at the tips, as a result of pus. Both are possible presentations of razor bumps.

Razor bumps may also:

• Have a size of 2-5 millimeters
• Be firm to the touch
  
• Be the same color as your skin, or appear reddish or darker than the rest of your skin
• Show visible hair trapped beneath the skin
• Feel itchy
  
• Appear as one or two bumps, or appear in larger clusters
• Occur in one area or in multiple regions

Razor bumps typically appear within a day or two after shaving or hair removal, and they can last for a few days or up to a few weeks.

Risks of Razor Bumps

Besides the common symptoms of bumps, irritated skin, and itching, sometimes razor bumps can cause further complications like:

• Hyperpigmentation of skin: The skin of the bump is noticeably darker than the rest of your skin
• Keloids: A type of scarring that causes hard, raised bumps on the skin
• Infections: The site of the razor bumps can become infected and may require treatment
  

How to Get Rid of Razor Bumps

Razor bumps will typically go away on their own within a few days or weeks. However, if the bumps are extensive or irritating, there are a few ways to help get rid of them faster.

Some remedies to get rid of razor bumps can be done at home, while other methods may require medical help or prescriptions from a provider. Either way, it’s best to consult with a healthcare provider or dermatologist before trying any skin remedies.

Methods for getting rid of razor bumps include:

• Topical corticosteroids applications (anti-inflammatories)
• Retinoids
• Antibiotic creams (over-the-counter or prescription)
  
• Laser treatments
• Keratolytic agents (cream for dry skin conditions)
• Depilatories (hair removal cream)
• Oral antibiotics for serious infections
  

How to Prevent Razor Bumps

If you experience recurrent or especially irritating razor bumps, there are several ways to prevent razor bumps from developing. Making adjustments to your hair removal routine is often the best place to start.

Temporarily Stop Shaving or Shave Less Often

While this method isn’t a viable option for everyone, refraining from shaving and letting new, longer hair grow gives your skin time to heal and can prevent new razor bumps from forming. Longer hair is less likely to become ingrown as you shave, which decreases the chances of a razor bump forming.

If you are stopping shaving to allow your razor bumps to heal, you should allow about 3-4 weeks of not shaving. If you are looking to decrease shaving as a long-term solution, even shaving every other day instead of every day can decrease the chances of a razor bump forming.

Change How You Shave

Razor bumps may be a result of shaving methods that are too harsh. To prevent razor bumps when shaving, make sure to:

• Always wash your face with a gentle cleanser before shaving
• Apply a warm cloth or compress to your skin before shaving
• Never dry shave—always use shaving cream, even when using an electric razor
• Use a sharp blade to more thoroughly remove your hair
• Replace disposable blades every 5-7 times you shave
• Shave your face in the direction that your hairs grow
• Use short, slow swipes and don’t shave over the same area more than once
• Rinse shaving cream off of blade between strokes
• Apply a cool compress after shaving and use aftershave
• Keep your razor dry between shaves

Try a Shaving Alternative

For some people, razor bumps still appear after shaving even when shaving less or taking precautions. In this case, other methods of hair removal may be a better option.

Depilatories are creams or powders that use chemicals to dissolve the hair on your skin. These can be harsh on the skin, so it’s important to test your skin’s tolerance to them in a small area first and then use sparingly.

Laser hair removal and electrolysis both remove hair permanently. Since the hair can't grow back, you would not experience ingrown hairs or razor bumps. However, these methods can be expensive and aren’t always covered by health insurance. Scarring is also a possible complication.

When to See a Healthcare Provider

If you continue to experience razor bumps even after taking preventative steps, you should visit a healthcare provider or dermatologist for further assistance. A dermatologist specializes in conditions affecting the skin, hair, and nails.

The dermatologist can discuss your medical history and examine your skin to determine if what you are experiencing is indeed razor bumps. They may be able to offer you prescription medications and can review your shaving techniques. It’s important to seek medical care for razor bumps that don’t respond to at-home remedies because untreated bumps may form permanent scars or grooves on the face.

A Quick Review

Razor bumps occur when the hairs on your skin become ingrown as a result of shaving. This creates inflammation in the skin, resulting in small, irritated bumps. Razor bumps can be irritating and may cause scarring. You can prevent razor bumps from happening in the first place by shaving less frequently, making changes to your shaving routine, and considering alternative shaving options.

Talk to a healthcare provider if your razor bumps are not going away, or if you experiencing recurring or severe razor bumps.