We all want a smooth shave, but how come your face winds up full of shaving bumps after you shave? What is it you are doing wrong? Let’s find out.
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Shaving can often lead to the development of unattractive, itchy and painful razor bumps or ingrown hairs. These unsightly bumps occur when hair follicles get infected with bacteria, which then cause redness and inflammation of the affected area. There are a few techniques that you should absolutely keep in mind before, during and after shaving, as prevention is the best way to avoid razor bumps.
Don’t shave every day
Don’t shave so often and let your hair grow out a bit before doing it again. Give your bumps time to heal and use the razor every other day, at the most.
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Shave under the warm shower and rinse off with cold water
Warm water will soften your hairs and make your skin less prone to irritation. When you finish shaving, cold water will close up the pores, preventing infection and irritation.
Use a shaving cream
Shaving cream will also moisturize your skin and soften your hairs, making them easier to eliminate. Bumps appear more easily when your skin is dry and prone to irritation.
Use a sharp razor
Always use new and sharp razors. Dull razors will irritate the skin around the follicle and cause ingrown hairs. But apart from this, old and rusty blades can also carry great amounts of bacteria, which can be transferred to the skin during shaving.
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Use a moisturizing lotion after you shave
It will reduce redness and irritation, and decrease the risk of razor bumps.
Don’t pick and scratch your razor bumps
Resist the urge to pick your razor bumps and don’t scratch and rub the affected area. You will slow down the healing process and cause further irritation.
Change your shaving technique
Instead of shaving in an upward motion, start shaving downward, in the direction of the hair growth. This will help prevent razor bumps.
Aloe vera lotion or gel
Aloe vera is also a good antibacterial and anti-inflammatory agent that helps soothe and heal skin infections and inflammations. Just apply a small amount of aloe vera gel or lotion to the affected area and allow the skin to absorb it.
Tea bags
Black tea contains tannic acid, which reduces redness and inflammation, and helps to soothe burning caused by razor burn. Cheap tea bags contain more tannic acid and work better than more expensive brands. To use, moisten a black tea bag in warm water, and rub over the affected area for two to three minutes. Repeat daily as needed.
Baking soda
An old-fashioned home remedy for razor burn, baking soda, may also help get rid of razor bumps. EHC recommends dabbing the skin with a cotton ball soaked in a solution of 1 cup water and 1 tablespoon baking soda to relieve razor bumps. Allow the mixture to remain on the skin until dry, usually about five minutes, and rinse with cool water. Repeat two or three times daily as needed until the bumps subside.
Tea tree oil
Because of its naturally cleansing properties, tea tree oil is one of the best natural remedies for razor bumps. Since it is very strong, many experts only recommend you use tea tree oil on your legs or underarms. To use tea tree oil for razor bumps, you can dab a Q-tip in tea tree oil and apply it to your razor bumps. Repeat this once time every 2 or 3 days to get rid of razor bumps.
Lemon juice
Lemon juice is naturally acidic and so helps to stop bacteria from colonizing ingrown hair follicles. Apply lemon juice to razor burn to help reduce redness and prevent infection.
For a Healthy Skin Maintenance
Exfoliate your skin twice weekly using a body scrub, a loofah sponge, or a mitt. Exfoliation will remove dead skin cells, providing a closer shave. It will also help blades cut hairs more easily, and with less irritation to the skin.
Do not shave dry skin or skin that has just been moistened with water. Using shaving gel or cream can prevent razor bumps.
Re-wet the area you are shaving after each pass with a razor to avoid razor bumps.
Put on shaving gel and allow the shaving gel to sit on the face for several minutes prior to shaving. This helps soften the hair and skin.
Do not shave against the grain of the hair. And, do not shave the identical area more than twice so as to get a closer shave. Avoid the newer razor blades with 2, 3, or 4 blades in them as they are inclined to lift and snap hair back into place, giving a closer shave but causing razor bumps.
Change the blade every week. Razor bumps form immediately after shaving, so the individual will need to make certain that there are as few bacteria on the skin as possible.
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Image courtesy: arabia.msn.com , telegraph.co.uk , dedragonbeauty.com
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