How To Get Rid of Razor Bumps: A Simple Guide for Smooth Skin

If you’ve found yourself asking how to get rid of razor bumps, you might need to rethink your shaving routine. More often than not, they’re a sign from your skin that something is off. It could be the shaving product you use, a dull razor, or your shaving technique. 

But fear not! In this guide, you’ll learn how razor bumps happen, how to get rid of them, and how to prevent them in the future. We’ll also cover some problem signs to look out for that might mean you should speak to a dermatologist.

What Are Razor Bumps, and How Are They Different From Razor Burn?

Razor bumps are ingrown hairs that have curled back and grown under the skin. They appear as itchy raised areas, typically on the neck, face, and pubic area. People with coarse, curly hair or thick beards tend to get them more often.

It’s important to differentiate these from razor burn. Razor burn happens when you shave with too much friction, causing a patchy rash made up of microscopic skin tears. If you treat razor burn the same way as razor bumps, it could cause further irritation and discomfort.

What Causes Razor Bumps After Shaving?

Shaving might seem a simple task, but scraping a blade across your skin comes with some risk. By understanding how they happen, you can better address your razor bumps. Here’s what’s causing them.

Shaving Against the Grain

When you shave against the grain, your razor pulls the hair up and away from the skin. This allows the blade to cut the hair below the skin line. When the elastic hair springs back into place, it winds up beneath the surface of the skin. While this might mean a closer shave, it also means the hair needs to find its way back to the surface. On its journey, the hair can grow in a different direction than straight up. 

Dull Razors and Rushing

If you use a dull razor or move too quickly, the blade can’t make a clean cut. Instead, it crushes, pulls, or tears the hair shaft, leaving behind jagged edges. These rough tips are more likely to snag on the sides of your pores or curl inward, preventing a clear exit path. 

Lack of Skin Prep or Excess Friction

If you skip skin preparation—like using high-quality shave butter—or apply too much pressure, you create excess friction. Dry skin tends to get caught bunched up in front of the blade. This not only leads to micro-tears in the follicle but also forces the razor to catch the hair at unnatural angles, trapping the follicle in a damaged and irritated pore.

How To Treat Razor Bumps Safely

Even though you might be wondering how to get rid of razor bumps overnight, you’ll need a bit of patience. Most of the time, razor bumps go away on their own as the hairs find their way back out. While healing time can range from a few days to several weeks, you can support your skin during the process. Focus on calming the skin and encouraging the hair to release:

• Stop shaving: Take a few days off shaving the area to allow the skin and hair follicles to rest and reset.

• Apply a warm compress: Wet a towel with warm water, then press it onto the area to soften the skin and help release trapped hairs.

• Use an exfoliant: Apply a mild exfoliant, like finely ground rice powder, to remove dead skin cells and unblock your pores and follicles. Dr. Squatch’s Fresh Falls Exfoliating Face Wash is a great option.

• Leave them alone: Avoid squeezing or picking at your razor bumps. This can lead to more serious problems like infections and scarring. The best approach is to keep the area clean and let it calm down naturally.

How To Prevent Razor Bumps From Coming Back

The best solution to razor bumps is preventing them from happening in the first place. If you get them regularly, there’s usually a grooming habit you can change to keep your skin feeling comfortable. Here are several things you can try, whether you’re trimming your facial hair or manscaping your body:

• Keep your skin moisturized: Use a post-shave cream to leave skin feeling hydrated and refreshed.

• Go with the grain: Shave with the grain to trim down hairs to a manageable level. This keeps the hair from being cut below the surface, making it less likely to grow in the wrong direction.

• Use a sharp, clean razor: Keep your razor clean, and replace it often. This is especially important if you have coarse hair, as it tends to dull your blade faster.

• Soften your hair first: Press a warm, damp towel onto the area you’re about to shave to soften the hairs so they cut more cleanly. 

• Use the right shaving products: Try a different product if your current skin prep isn’t cutting it. There are plenty of shaving cream alternatives out there that do a great job of lubricating the skin to reduce friction.

• Avoid pressing too hard: Press your razor down gently on your skin. The harder you press, the deeper the blade will go, which increases friction. A smooth, gentle glide should be all you need.

When Razor Bumps Need More Attention

While most bumps subside with a gentle routine, some situations warrant a visit to your dermatologist. Here are the warning signs to look out for:

• Changes in skin appearance: Discoloration or persistent puffiness could be signs of a bacterial or fungal infection.

• Persistent spreading: Razor bumps appearing more than one to two days after shaving could indicate an infection or an allergic reaction to a skincare product.

• Stubborn irritation: Discomfort that doesn’t improve with a few days of gentle treatment could indicate a bacterial infection or folliculitis.

Finish Your Routine With Dr. Squatch Post-Shave Care

Now that you know what can cause pesky razor bumps, your next step is to find the culprit. Try working on your shaving technique first, then consider trying some different products to find what works best with your skin.

Dr. Squatch’s Easy Glide Shave Butter provides ample lubrication for your razor, while our Soothing Post-Shave helps leave your skin feeling hydrated and refreshed. These products are dermatologist tested and crafted to soothe and calm your skin so you can feel more comfortable after every shave.

FAQ

How Long Do Razor Bumps Last?

If you leave them alone, razor bumps should go away in one or two days. You might see a few new ones pop up in that time, but they, too, should go away in a day or two. If your razor bumps last longer than that or show signs of infection, it’s time to seek out a dermatologist.

Can Razor Bumps Spread?

Razor bumps shouldn’t spread. If you notice spreading, contact a dermatologist, as it may be a sign of another skin condition.

How Do You Remove Razor Bumps?

While you could remove the ingrown hairs that cause razor bumps, you can’t remove razor bumps themselves. They’re a natural reaction to irritation and will go away on their own. Don’t pick or pluck the ingrown hairs, as this could lead to infection or scarring. Instead, try a mild exfoliant or a warm compress to soothe them and encourage the hairs to surface.