Facial razor bumps can cause great discomfort to anyone. This article explains the correct procedure to shave in order to avoid razor bumps and ingrown hair.
Razor bumps cause the skin to become inflamed and can even hurt very badly. These bumps appear on skin when the facial hair is not shaved properly, i.e. they are shaved at an angle, making them turn and curl inside the skin resulting in ingrown hair. Almost all men have encountered this condition after shaving. If you want to know how to get rid of them, then here is a list of things that you can do to avoid and cure them.
Ways to Prevent and Cure Razor Bumps
Soak Hair in Warm Water
Many a time, razor bumps are caused when the hair is cut at an angle rather than evenly. For an even cut, the hair should be made soft. To do that, soaking the hair in warm water for some time will help. Simply take a towel, soak it in warm water and put it on your face for five minutes everyday before shaving. This will make the hair soft and easy to cut. Although soaking hair everyday can consume time, it will certainly help to get rid of the bumps.
Apply Shaving Gel
It is very important that you do not let the razor and the skin come in direct contact. A good way to ensure that is to apply a moisturizing shaving gel on the face, prior to shaving. Application of gel will form a kind of a barrier between the skin and the razor, thereby preventing injuries and razor bumps on the face.
Maintain Hygiene of Tools
Bacteria that grows on the razor or the blades can spread to the face, thus aggravating the bumps. So, keep these shaving tools sterilized. Changing the blade every week and rinsing the razor with some rubbing alcohol will ensure that there is no build up of bacteria.
Apply Aftershave
Applying an aftershave that contains herbal ingredients like tea tree oil or even iodine will help in getting relief. If an alcohol-based aftershave lotion is used, it will help in preventing any kind of infection that might occur in the bumps.
Apply Creams and Gels
There are certain antiseptic creams that are available in the market which can be applied for relief. Exfoliating gels containing ingredients such as salicylic acid and witch hazel are extremely beneficial too. They aid in dissolving the skin on the ingrown hair, thereby making the follicle to grow hair in a normal way.
The ideal way to shave is to shave in the direction of the hair using very short strokes. If this technique is not followed, i.e. if you shave in the opposite direction of hair or if long strokes are used, it can cause ingrown hair, skin irritation, and facial bumps. So follow the above mentioned precautions, shave using proper techniques, and apply an effective aftershave to get rid of razor bumps.
