Treatments such as salicylic acid, gently brushing the skin, and applying a warm washcloth may help to manage razor bumps. Preventive measures, such as cleansing the skin, may also help.
Razor bumps are ingrown hairs that develop after shaving or using other hair removal techniques. The medical term for razor bumps is pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB).
Ingrown hairs develop when hair grows back into the skin rather than up and out. After shaving, waxing, or plucking, the hair may curl and turn inward. New skin cells can grow over the hair, trapping it and causing a bump.
Razor bumps can develop anywhere a person shaves or removes hair, including the face, head, legs, armpits, and pubic area.
Nothing can make razor bumps go away instantly, but various strategies can help remove or manage them.
Stop shaving
Not shaving for a period may allow razor bumps to gradually disappear.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), new razor bumps may continue to appear for a while after stopping shaving as new hairs emerge. However, the bumps should disappear after around 3 months.
Use salicylic acid
According to a 2019 article, topical salicylic acid may help to manage razor bumps.
Various over-the-counter (OTC) products contain salicylic acid, such as:
- cleansers
- toners
- lotions
- peels
Try glycolic acid
Like salicylic acid, glycolic acid helps the skin peel by removing old cells from the surface of the skin. Glycolic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid that
It speeds up the skin’s natural sloughing process, which is why a glycolic acid product can help remove razor bumps and give the skin a smoother appearance.
Try face scrubs
A mechanical or physical scrub may remove dead skin cells that plug the pores and trap hairs. These scrubs may contain sugar, salt, ground fruit pits, or tiny beads.
Scrubs may remove debris and free ingrown hairs by physically sloughing off dead skin cells.
However, some scrubs may irritate those with sensitive skin. They may not be suitable when a person’s skin has become inflamed or irritated.
Gently brush the skin
A soft brush may help remove dead skin cells and debris that clog the pores and guide hairs out of the pores.
Brushing can also help train the hair to grow in a single direction, making ingrown hairs less likely.
People can use a skin care brush, a soft bristle face brush, or a soft toothbrush.
Use a warm washcloth
Applying a warm, wet washcloth to the skin can help soften the skin and draw out ingrown hairs, especially when someone combines it with another option, such as brushing.
Other options include steaming the area in a hot shower or sauna.
Consider medical treatment
A doctor or pharmacist may recommend OTC creams, serums, and cleansers containing steroids to reduce inflammation and manage infection. A mild retinoid can also help prevent razor bumps and acne.
If OTC methods do not help, a doctor may prescribe medication. This could be a stronger retinoid, such as tretinoin (Retin-A) or oral and topical antibiotics.
Try another hair removal technique
Shaving is the hair removal method most likely to lead to razor bumps, so one option is to try a different technique.
Hair removal creams, or depilatories, dissolve the hair and reduce the risk of razor bumps. However, they contain chemicals that can irritate the skin. People should not use these products if their skin is already inflamed or sensitive.
Laser hair removal is a longer-term option, but it can be expensive. People may need several treatment sessions with a dermatologist, but the hair tends to grow back finer and lighter than before.
Taking the following steps before shaving may help reduce the risk of razor bumps:
- Cleanse the skin: Cleansing with a noncomedogenic product can help clear pores and remove excess skin cells from the surface. Noncomedogenic products do not tend to clog pores.
- Only shave wet skin: Shave only when the skin is very wet, either during or immediately after a shower. Alternatively, place a warm, wet towel on the area for 5 minutes before shaving.
- Moisturize: Use a moisturizing shaving cream or gel and leave for 1 to 2 minutes before shaving. Ensure the shaving cream is wet when starting to shave, or else rinse the skin and apply more liberally.
- Avoid irritating ingredients: Avoid skin care products that contain irritating ingredients, such as artificial fragrances, which could worsen inflammation.
Changing the shaving technique may also help prevent razor bumps. People can try the following:
- leave the hair longer instead of shaving close to the skin
- use a single-blade razor or an electric razor with a variable setting to allow for a longer cut
- shave slowly, following the direction of hair growth
- avoid pulling the skin tight while shaving
- avoid repeating strokes in one area
Aftercare
It is important to care for the skin after shaving. The following steps may help:
- rinse off all shaving cream with warm water to reduce the risk of irritation
- place a cool compress on the skin for 5 minutes
- apply an aftershave formulated to prevent razor bumps
- clean and dry the razor before storing it in a dry place
- change the blade on a single-use razor every 5 to 7 shaves
If these measures do not help or symptoms are severe, it may help to speak with a doctor.
Optum Perks is owned by RVO Health. By clicking on this link, we may receive a commission. Learn more.
Razor bumps most commonly occur in people with naturally curly or coarse hair. After shaving — especially if it is a close shave — the sharp tips of curved hair can pierce and grow back into the skin, leading to inflammation.
Males of African descent and people with dark skin tones may have a higher risk of razor bumps than other people. Razor bumps also commonly affect the groin area of females from all populations.
Activities that increase the risk include:
- shaving close to the skin
- shaving under the jawline or on the face and neck, where hairs are more likely to grow in different directions
- plucking hair in the armpits, pubic area, or on the legs
Individual factors can also make razor bumps more likely, such as having:
- skin folds or scar tissue in areas where people remove hair, as they enable hair of any type to reenter the skin
- tightly curling hair
- hair that grows in different directions
- coarse hair
- a specific genetic feature involving keratin in the hair follicle
A doctor can usually diagnose razor burn by looking at a person’s skin and asking about symptoms.
They may use a test called dermoscopy to see the hairs under the skin and rule out other possible causes of lesions, such as acne and tinea barbae.
Razor bumps are different from razor burn.
Razor burn is a type of skin irritation due to the friction of the razor. It tends to cause areas of irritation immediately after shaving.
According to Yale Medicine, razor burn can develop if:
- a person does not properly lubricate their skin before shaving
- they use a dull razor
- their skin is sensitive to friction
Razor bumps, on the other hand, develop when hairs grow back into the skin. They can appear several days after hair removal.
Razor bumps can lead to:
- acne-like eruptions on the skin
- skin papules that may be red or the same color as a person’s skin
- itching and tenderness
- in some cases, bleeding when shaving
Sometimes, an infection can develop, which is known as folliculitis barbae. Other complications that can arise include:
- abscesses
- changes in skin color following inflammation
- scarring, including keloid scarring
Symptoms may be more severe in people with eczema or dermatitis.
The most effective way to get rid of razor bumps is to stop shaving. The bumps will not disappear at once, but new bumps will stop forming as the hair grows.
A doctor may also recommend a cortisone cream to reduce inflammation.
Methods of treating razor bumps on the face, such as chemical peels and changing shaving techniques, may also help treat razor bumps in the pubic area. However, it is important to avoid using products that can irritate the skin or cause further inflammation.
If a person stops shaving, new bumps may continue to appear for a while, but they should resolve completely after around 3 months.
Various treatments can help a person manage razor bumps. These include stopping shaving, using salicylic acid, brushing the skin, applying face scrubs, and more. Changing the shaving technique may also help prevent further razor bumps from forming.
If home remedies do not work, it may help to seek advice from a healthcare professional, such as a dermatologist, to discuss other options. They may recommend prescription skin creams and other treatments.