Razor bumps, razor rash, ingrown hairs, whichever way you refer to them, if you get them, you’ll be well aware of what a nightmare they are. Whenever you shave, the strands of hair you cut are at risk of growing back into the follicle, rather than out of it. This blocks the follicle, causing redness, soreness, and irritation, which not only looks unsightly, but can be extremely uncomfortable too.
Razor bumps are unpleasant enough to have put many men off razor shaving altogether, but contrary to popular belief, ingrown hairs are a common problem amongst those who use beard trimmers as well. While the inflammation may be less visible when there is stubble present, it’s often still there, and nearly always a source of pain and discomfort.
There is good news: it is possible to avoid razor bumps. To do so is a matter of preparation, having the right products at your disposal, and knowing the right techniques to employ (and the ones to avoid) in order to ensure your skin has the best chance of getting out of your shave unscathed. Check out our 5 steps to avoiding razor bumps on Mankind.
5 Steps to Avoiding Razor Bumps
- Laying the foundations – exfoliating and cleansing
- Proper Preparation – traditional shaving brushes, shaving creams, and post-shave care
- Less is more – fewer blades on your razor, more control
- Technique
- Equipment care
1. The Foundations – Exfoliating and Cleansing
Getting the best results out of your shave starts with your daily skincare maintenance. Tweaking your routine to ensure your skin is in optimal health at all times will guarantee that you’re beginning your shave from the best place possible. The aim when shaving is to shave with as few passes of the blade as possible to get the desired effects, but for too many, clogging of the razor means that far too many passes are required are required to get a close shave.