If you’re someone who shaves regularly, you’ve likely dealt with razor bumps. They can be pretty uncomfortable and irritating, so you may be wondering how to get rid of razor bumps fast — or, more importantly, how to prevent razor bumps in the first place. Thankfully, there are plenty of options for getting a nice, clean, smooth shave that doesn’t end with a breakout.
What are razor bumps?
“The medical term for razor bumps is pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB),” explains board-certified dermatologist Dr. Hamdan Abdullah Hamed. “When the new collagen or keratinocytes grow over the hair [after shaving], the hair gets trapped, which produces a bump. Razor bumps can appear on the face, head, legs, armpits, pubic area or wherever you remove hair.” They’re technically a form of ingrown hair.
According to Dr. Karan Lal, double-board-certified dermatologist and pediatric dermatologist with Affiliated Dermatology, people with textured and/or thick hair are more likely to get razor bumps. Hamed also notes that “it can happen to anyone who shaves regularly, especially if they have a curly hair pattern. Aside from this, PFB may also be prevalent in people who have strict facial shaving requirements.”
What causes razor bumps?
In order to best understand how to prevent and treat them, we have to know why they form. “Razor bumps occur after shaving when the hair follicles are irritated from shaving in the wrong direction or shaving on dry skin,” Lal says. “This causes the hair to grow in the wrong direction into the skin, which causes inflammation.”
Dr. Alicia Zalka, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Surface Deep, says “it can become a vicious cycle” when you have existing razor bumps and then shave over them. “The razor is not lying smoothly on the skin surface and can cause nicks and scratches to the hair follicles, worsening things,” she explains.
How to prevent razor bumps
Each of the experts shared essential tips for preventing razor bumps from forming in the first place:
- Shave in the direction of hair growth. Lal suggests avoiding shaving on dry skin, and “absolutely do not shave against the grain of the hair. If you do this, you are less likely to get razor bumps.”
- Use shaving cream. Although this might seem obvious, Hamed strongly advises using a moisturizing shaving cream.
- Exfoliate the area. Hamed also recommends “exfoliating regularly by scrubbing the area with a washcloth, loofah or cleanser. You’ll get rid of dead skin cells, which are usually the number-one reason why ingrown hairs develop.”
- Avoid dull razors. Zalka recommends replacing your razor often and avoiding using a dull razor.
- Don’t shave on already irritated skin. “If skin is bumpy or has a rash, do not shave that day,” Zalka says. “See your dermatologist if this persists.”
How to get rid of razor bumps
Razor bumps will go away on their own, and Zalka recommends taking breaks from shaving whenever possible. To speed up the process, you can also treat the area with exfoliants, such as salicylic acid or a gentle scrub, to help clear the pores of dead skin cells and encourage the trapped hair to surface.
If you’re dealing with irritation and inflammation, aloe vera and ice can help curb sensitivity and redness. Lal also suggests using a retinol product as it is anti-inflammatory. “Razor bumps are often accompanied by inflammation, redness and irritation. Retinol has anti-inflammatory properties that can help soothe the skin and reduce these symptoms,” she says. According to the dermatologist, it will help keep new razor bumps from developing too. “By calming the skin, it lessens the likelihood of razor bumps forming in the first place,” Lal says. “It also prevents the pores from becoming clogged with dead skin cells, which can contribute to razor bumps by trapping hair follicles and causing irritation. By keeping the pores clear, retinol reduces the risk of razor bumps.”
Read on for some of the top expert-recommended products and my favorite personal picks to help get rid of razor bumps and level up your grooming routine.
Best products for treating razor bumps
Cleansers
To avoid razor bumps, Lal suggests using this cleanser, which will also help prevent breakouts. “This helps kill bacteria on the skin and is gentle enough to use on all parts of the body,” he says.
Zalka also recommends using a cleanser geared toward acne for keeping razor bumps at bay. She likes this editor-approved pick that is made with 4% benoyl peroxide and can be used on the face and body.
Another option, according to Zalka, is to use an exfoliating scrub. “To prevent razor bumps, cleanse the skin regularly with a glycolic body wash, sugar scrub or an exfoliating body polish,” Zalka says. She recommends this one from Dove that combines physical exfoliators and alpha hydroxy acids.
Shaving creams and gels
One of the best shaving creams for sensitive skin, Lal says, “This soothing gel helps decrease friction on the skin allowing for a close shave with less irritation.”
Using a moisturizing shaving gel is the key to keeping the skin nourished and hydrated during the shaving process. This one goes on clear so you can see the direction of the hair as you’re shaving and it has the perfect consistency for letting the razor glide over the skin while still getting a close shave.
Post-shaving treatments
Hamed says this aftershave has a soothing effect to combat razor bumps for all skin types. It can be used after any type of hair removal treatment on the face and body.
Lal calls this the ultimate product before and after shaving to combat and prevent razor bumps. “Applying it an hour before shaving can go a long way and helps promote cellular turnover,” he explains. “This serum is gentle for all skin types and can also help soften the skin around the hair follicles reducing the risk of follicle irritation.”
I always use this on my legs after shaving and on my whole body. Not only does it contribute to long-lasting smoothness but it smells incredible. The formula is super hydrating and leaves my skin feeling so soft.
Usually, I layer this on top of my body lotion for an extra-nourishing finish. It contains a custom blend of plant oils that work to make your skin stronger and resilient over time, so it’s perfect for areas you frequently shave.
This post-shave treatment contains soothing ingredients like aloe vera, which Hamed says is an ideal ingredient for treating irritation.
Right after shaving or as maintenance between shave days, this smoothing spray uses alpha hydroxy and beta hydroxy acids to exfoliate the area and keep it clear of pore-clogging dead skin. It also contains aloe vera and cucumber extract for a soothing effect.
“This is great for post-shaving applications,” Lal says. “It is an oil that can help soften the skin and moisturize the skin around the hair follicles.” Plus, it comes with an exfoliating finger mitt you can use to help surface those pesky ingrown hairs.
If you’re dealing with uncomfortable razor burn or irritated skin, Hamed recommends using this anti-itch cream. “One of the ingredients in this product is oats, which can help people with sensitive skin because of its gentle and soothing effects,” he says.
“To treat razor bumps, apply this the night before shaving to create a smooth surface so shaving is frictionless, [and also] immediately after shaving to soothe the skin,” Zalka says.
For those with dark spots left behind from ingrown hairs, Lal recommends this serum. “It has tranexamic acid, kojic acid and alpha arbutin, which all help gently lighten dark spots,” he says.
Another Topicals product that can help, this convenient serum truly keeps ingrown hairs away on sensitive areas in particular and contains soothing green tea leaf extract. The fact that this product can easily roll onto your skin is probably my favorite thing about it.
