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Shaving techniques can be used to prevent razor bumps. Razor bumps are common among men who shave their beard, and in women when shaving their bikini areas as well as legs, neck and face. Find out how to avoid ingrown hair in men, black men, on sensitive skin and using a double edged razor.
Razor bumps are pimple-like swellings that form on the skin after a day or a few days of shaving. Some of them may look like papules that may yellow up. From my experience of shaving, I have found that it is not just the skin type and hair type that is likely to increase your chances of getting the bumps. Most of the problems with razor bumps and razor burn are caused by the wrong shaving technique used. So, below, I will share a few of the shaving techniques and tips I use to stop razor bumps from forming.
After searching on the internet for guidance, I found quite a lot of resources on stopping razor bumps and the causes of ingrown hair from shaving, and admittedly found confusing information at times. But then, I made a few points that I tested, and they worked for me in avoiding shave bumps.
Always Use Sharp Razors
In order to stop razor bumps from forming, always use sharp razors. I would recommend using new razors all the time instead of used ones. The reason for this is that old razors do not have a sharp edge and are likely to cause irritation on your skin, which will encourage bumps forming. Do not use your razors more than four times because they are likely to cause the problem.
Sharp razors will clear the hair on your skin with one swipe unlike blunt ones that will require you remove hair using several strokes. The more the strokes you make when shaving, the more your skin gets irritated, and reacts by forming bumps.
Scrub Your Skin before Shaving
Scrubbing the skin is simply exfoliating it. Every time I exfoliated my skin, I ended up with almost no bumps at all. But every time I shaved without scrubbing my beard first, I always ended up with razor rush, burning sensation and eventually shave bumps.
Exfoliating the skin with a gentle scrub before shaving will help remove any layers of dead cells and give hairs room to grow out more easily. When hair growth is interfered with, you are likely to experience the formation of shave bumps. It is recommended that you scrub and exfoliate a day earlier before shaving rather than immediately before shaving for the best results.
The Direction of Shaving is Important
Think of shaving as cutting wood. If you cut against the grain, you will not get the best result. However, if you cut along the grain, you are likely to use less energy and end up with the best cut. When shaving your beard, bikini area, legs, face or neck, ensure that you always shave taking the direction in which your hair grows.
Do not shave upward even if you think it will give you a closer shave. It always plucks your hair and irritates the skin. Find out the direction of hair growth on your chin, legs, bikini area and always shave along that line. It will prevent hair from growing back into the skin to cause ingrown hair and likely, infected bumps.
Soothe Your Skin after Shaving
There are many ways of soothing the skin. You can simply hydrate it after shaving to give it a cooling effect. Some after shaves are very good for soothing. I always look for after shaves that have soothing and hydrating ingredients such as aloe, tea tree extracts, witch hazel and so on.
When you soothe your shaven skin, you will reduce irritations and prevent razor bumps and shave burn that is likely to occur if you leave it to dry and itch. Again, soothing will help you avoid scratching the skin that is fresh from shaving. Normally, the need to scratch always comes from the irritation that occurs. Go try these tips and see how it works perfectly for you.
