đź“ŚWHAT ARE RAZOR BUMPS?
Razor bumps, also called pseudofolliculitis barbae is an inflammatory reaction that occurs when the sharp tip of hair pushes back into the skin as it tries to grow out.
They’re also called ingrown hairs, and can occur in any area where hairs are shaved or plucked.
đź“Ś WHAT ARE THE CAUSES ?
– Shaving too closely to the skin
– Having naturally curly or coarse hair
– Shaving against the direction of hair growth or dry shaving
– Using a blunt shaving stick
– Wearing tight clothing that rubs against freshly shaved skin
– Having a genetic predisposition, I.e being a carrier of the A12T polymorphism gene.
đź“Ś WHAT SYMPTOMS WILL YOU EXPERIENCE?
Symptoms of ingrown hairs are quite visible. They include;
– Red or skin colored bumps near shaved areas
– Itchiness or pain in affected area
– Bumps filled with pus in severe cases
– Dark spots or hyperpigmentation
đź“Ś 5 WAYS TO TREAT RAZOR BUMPS
1. Stop shaving or plucking hair in the affected area
Shaving or plucking hair can further irritate the area and create new razor bumps.
It’s best not to do this till the already existing razor bumps heal.
2. Change the way you remove hair
If stopping shaving is going to be difficult, consider other means of removing hair like using clippers or hair removal creams.
When using clippers, make sure to leave 0.5-1 millimeter of hair, this would prevent the hair from growing back into the skin.
3. Apply warm compress
Apply warm cloth to the area you want to shave before shaving.
This helps to soften the skin, and reduce the risk of irritation as hair grows back out.
4. Use topical treatment
Topical treatments include;
– Hydrocortisone creams to reduce inflammation
– Retinoids to exfoliate and prevent clogging of pores
– Benzyl benzoate to reduce bacteria and dead skin cells
– Oral antibiotics for infected bumps
It’s best to see a dermatologist before taking medications.
5. Laser hair removal
This helps if you continue to experience razor bumps. It destroys hair follicles and reduces amount and thickness of hair.
It is a permanent solution.
WHO’S AT RISK?
– People with curly or coarse hair
– People that shave frequently or use improper techniques
– Those that wear tight clothes
