We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What are Razor Bumps?

By Matthew F.
Updated: Feb 15, 2024
Views: 14,956
Share

Razor bumps are minor irritations that form on the skin after shaving. In the form of tiny bumps like pimples, razor bumps are often the product of sensitive skin or curly hair. They are usually the result of ingrown hairs, and are sometimes called shaving bumps or shaving pimples. When a freshly shaved hair that is cut at an angle curls into the face and becomes an ingrown hair, irritating bumps are the result. This can happen anywhere on the body, but is most prevalent on the face.

Razor irritation in the form of bumps is often concentrated in one area, and so cluster together to look like acne. Ingrown hairs curling back into the skin causes the body to react with swelling and red bumps, which are the razor bumps. Although there are many ways to avoid or alleviate the problem, for some people, the bumps are inevitable. Sensitive skin and the necessity to shave every day are realities for some people, but clean razors and proper techniques can help the problem.

Stopping razor bumps can be easy and practical, and solutions take on many different forms. Among the easiest is to stop shaving. Giving your face a two or three day break between shaves can help ease irritation and help rid your face of bumps. Rinsing a blade with alcohol can also help, and frequent changing of the razor to avoid dullness on the blade. Using an alcohol or iodine-based aftershave will also help to alleviate the irritating bumps.

Other basic techniques for stopping razor bumps include using a good shaving cream and leaving it on the face to soften the skin and hair. Shaving with the grain of the hair, and not against it, will also help to lessen bumps. Other solutions are just as simple: you can soften your face with a shower or a warm towel, and avoid using multiple blade razors, as they tend to pass over hair more than once. Also, razors should never be passed over the same patch of skin or hair twice.

Razor bumps, known medically as pseudofolliculitis barbae, can escalate into a larger problem if not treated or helped. Known as Barber’s Rash, this larger problem can be avoided by using antiseptic or antimicrobial treatments. Though the inflammation associated with the bumps can be alleviated by a dermatologist, methods such as less frequent shaving, proper techniques, skin softening, clean razors, and alcohol-based aftershaves should be attempted first.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
By anon87006 — On May 27, 2010

Thanks for the article man. I've suffered from razor bumps ever since i started shaving and have tried dozens of techniques and products. even changed jobs since i was required to shave daily.

Anyhow, i have to disagree with your thoughts on using a product with alcohol, which can really dry out your skin and cause discoloration, especially for guys with darker skin tones like me.

my dermatologist recommended a product called Barc Bump Down which has helped tremendously. and it doesn't dry me out.

Share
https://www.wise-geek.com/what-are-razor-bumps.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.