How razor bumps form

Pseudofolliculitis barbae, also known as razor bumps, is a skin irritation where ingrown hairs become inflamed. Typically, razor bumps occur when a hair grows out from one area of the skin into another. Skin reacts like it’s under attack by a foreign body, explains Karyn Siegel-Maier for Better Nutrition magazine, and consequently, inflammation occurs and a bump develops.

Cutting your razor bump risk

It’s often said that the best offense is a great defense. So to get rid of razor bumps, you want to prevent them from forming in the first place. Making simple changes to your shaving routine can do just that.

• Shave less frequently. If you normally shave daily, try every other day instead. You’ll prevent irritation and save a few minutes in your routine. So go ahead — hit the snooze button.
• Shower, bathe or splash your face with warm water before shaving. Once your skin is warmed, it expands and becomes softer. The heat opens your pores, making it a cinch to remove the stubble. The heat also makes your beard hairs softer.
• Use a facial scrub like Jack Black Face Buff Energizing Scrub to raise hairs up and prevent them from turning into ingrown hairs. Scrubs can also clear up the skin’s surface, removing dirt, oil and dead cells.
• Choose quality razors to get an optimum shave. Sharper blades mean you won’t press as hard, so you’re less likely to nick or cut yourself. For a standard razor, change the blades once a week. If you like disposables, trash your old razor at the end of the week and use a fresh one. This minimizes bacteria build-up on the blade.

  To reduce nicks and cuts, you can also go electric. If you’re taking blood-thinning medication, an electric razor is your best bet, because you can bleed a lot from nicking yourself with a standard blade. The only downside is potential irritation.

• Opt for a shaving gel or cream to moisturize and lubricate the skin, which also reduces your risk of nicks and cuts.
• Use short careful strokes and shave in a downward (with the grain) motion. Don’t use upward strokes (against the grain), which can make razor bumps more likely.
• Alcohol is okay when you’re watching the game with your buddies, but avoid shaving products containing alcohol. They’ll just dry your skin and cause irritation. For relief from razor bumps or ingrown hairs, go with alcohol-free ZIRH Erase. It moisturizes and even reduces wrinkles.
• Don’t pick, scrub or try to pop razor bumps. Bacteria from your fingers can cause an infection and leave an unsightly scar.