Worried About Razor Bumps? Try These Tips to Get Rid of Them

Razor bumps, also known as bikini bumps, razor rash or pseudofolliculitis barbae is caused by shaving in a wrong way or by inappropriate devices. It causes irritation and inflammation of the skin, and is painful too. So, here is an article to help you get relief and also heal the skin condition through natural home remedies. Also get tips on how to prevent it and answers to some frequently asked questions on razor bumps.

Easy Tips to Get Relief from Razor Bumps

Razor bumps usually subside on their own; however, some can get infected and require medicines to heal. Let us explore some ways to get quick relief from this skin condition.

1. Avoid Shaving Until It Heals

Shaving the affected area time and again will only aggravate the condition. Hence, give it some time to heal and subside.

2. Hot or Cold Compress

Apply a cold compress if you experience irritation or inflammation of the skin. It will soothe and bring down the pain caused by the razor bumps. You may also apply a warm compress on top of the ingrown hair to subside the bumps.

3. Aloe Vera Gel or Calamine Lotion

Both have cooling properties. Thus applying either of them makes the area cool, thereby decreasing the pain.

4. Cornstarch Mask

Mix a little cornstarch powder with water and apply over the razor bumps. Leave it for half an hour and then wash it off using ice-cold water. You have to apply this mask several times a day to get quick relief. This is a good way of getting rid of razor bumps on the face.

5. Moisturise

Keep your skin moisturised; dry skin will only aggravate the issue and cause you more skin irritation, inflammation, and pain.

Effective Home Remedies to Heal Your Razor Bumps

People shave to feel clean and fresh, but it is not so with everybody. Some people, after a shave, develop painful bumps. Although these razor bumps may not be a cause of concern health-wise, it can hinder your day-to-day life and also cause embarrassment. Listed below are some excellent natural remedies which can be effective in subsiding razor bumps.

1. Coconut Oil

Coconut oil acts as a moisturiser for the skin. Since it is rich in antimicrobial and antibacterial properties, it soothes irritation and inflammation of the skin and heals all types of skin-related problems.

What You Need

• Coconut oil (organic)
• Cotton

What to Do 

• Pour a few drops of oil onto the cotton ball and apply it over the razor bumps.
• Leave it for the skin to absorb the oil.
• Repeat the procedure 2-3 times daily until the razor bumps fully subside.

2. Strawberry Mask

Strawberry paste, when applied to the skin, can soothe the inflammation and irritation of razor bumps. It also acts as a moisturiser to the skin when mixed with acrid cream.

What You Need

• Strawberries – 5-6
• Acrid cream

What to Do 

• Blend the strawberries to a fine pulp.
• Then, mix the strawberry pulp with a little acrid cream and make a smooth paste.
• Apply the strawberry mask on the affected area and leave it to dry for 15-20 minutes.
• Once dry, wash it off with lukewarm water.
• This must be done twice every day until the razor bumps heal.

3. Witch Hazel

It acts as a natural astringent and toner. It has cooling properties which soothe inflammation, irritation and pain caused by razor bumps and does not allow the skin to become dry by moisturising it.

What You Need

• Bottle of witch hazel
• Cotton

What to Do 

• Pour some witch hazel onto a cotton ball.
• Apply the solution over the razor bumps.
• Let it dry.
• Apply witch hazel to the affected area 2-3 times a day until the razor bumps subside.

4. Baking Soda

It is readily available in every household kitchen. It contains anti-inflammatory properties that reduce the itchiness caused by razor bumps.

What You Need

• Baking soda
• Warm water

What to Do 

• Mix 3/4 parts of baking powder with 1/4 part of water.
• Apply the mix over the razor bumps and leave it to dry.
• Once it becomes dry, wash it off properly and pat dry.
• Repeat the routine 2-3 times a day until the razor bumps get cured.

5. Honey

Honey is rich in antibacterial properties. It is one of the easiest and fastest remedies to heal razor bumps. It reduces the swelling, inflammation, and irritation caused by razor bumps and also acts as a moisturiser for the skin.

What You Need

• Honey
• Ice-cold water

What to Do 

• Apply a layer of honey on the area with razor bumps.
• Leave it to dry.
• Once it gets dried up, wash it with ice-cold water.
• Repeat this procedure 2-3 times a day daily until the skin condition heals.

6. Aspirin

It reduces the redness caused by the inflammation when you have razor bumps and also brings down the pain and irritation due to the condition.

What You Need

• Aspirin tablets – 2-3
• Water – enough to dissolve the tablets and make a paste.

What to Do 

• Drop aspirin tablets in warm water and let it dissolve.
• Once it becomes a thick paste, apply it directly over the affected area.
• Leave it on for 10 minutes or until dry.
• Then wash it off with lukewarm water.
• Apply this aspirin paste 2-3 times a day until the razor bumps disappear completely.

7. Cucumber

Cucumber acts as a coolant to the skin. This cooling property of the cucumber soothes the skin. The Vitamin K and C present in the cucumber aids in quick healing of the skin.

What You Need

• Fresh cucumber slices

What to Do 

• Keep the fresh cucumber slices inside the refrigerator for an hour.
• Once the slices become cold, take it out from the fridge and rub the cucumber slices on the affected area.
• Rub 4-5 slices on the razor bumps.
• Do this 3-4 times every day until the razor bumps get healed entirely.

8. Lemon

Lemons have great astringent quality and acidic property. This helps in killing the bacteria and makes the bumps go dry.

What You Need

• Lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
• Water (to dilute the juice)
• Cotton balls

What to Do 

• Dip cotton into the diluted lemon juice.
• Apply it over the razor bumps.
• Do it twice a day until it heals.

9. Castor Oil

The oil has antibacterial properties and is rich in antioxidants that help in healing the razor bumps quickly.

What You Need

• Castor oil – 1 tsp
• Cotton balls

What to Do 

• Apply the oil with cotton in a circular motion.
• Let the oil remain on the skin.
• Repeating this twice daily will help to heal the razor bumps.

10. Essential Oils

Essential oils like lavender and calendula reduce irritation and inflammation of the skin.

What You Need

• Lavender oil – 1-2 drops
• Calendula oil – 1-2 drops
• Water – ½ cup
• Cotton

What to Do 

• Mix all of it together and put it inside the refrigerator.
• After 15 minutes, take the solution out and with the help of a cotton ball, apply the solution to the affected area.
• After 10 minutes, wipe it off with a soft tissue or fresh cotton cloth.

How Can You Avoid Getting Razor Bumps?

Razor bumps cause irritation, itchiness, and pain. Try out the tips listed below to prevent you from getting it.

• Before you start shaving, take a hot shower which will open up the pores in your skin and make it easier for you to shave. You may also apply a hot towel compress on the area from where you want to remove hair.
• Make sure the shaving gel is of a thick consistency.
• Although shaving does not stretch or pull the skin, it is always important to shave in the direction of hair growth.
• Try to shave off your unwanted hair in as few razor strokes as possible. This is possible only if you change the razor after every 2 -3 shaves.
• Wash the area after a shave with cold water.
• Use electric razors to avoid a close shave and less irritation.
• Exfoliate your skin to prevent dead cells from accumulating. All the dead skin cells will make it difficult for you to shave properly in few strokes resulting in razor bumps.

FAQs

Listed below are few frequently asked questions that all of us may have on razor bumps.

1. How Can I Get Rid of Razor Bumps in the Pubic Area?

Razor bumps can cause irritation and pain. Here are some methods to get rid of them in the pubic area.

• If your skin is inflamed due to razor bumps, apply a thin coat of 1% hydrocortisone cream.
• To get rid of razor bumps, apply a paste of finely ground oats and water or aloe vera gel to the area.
• As soon as the bumps appear, apply a little hydrogen peroxide or clean the area with a cleanser containing salicylic acid.
• Use tea tree oil on the affected area to cure it.
• Refrain from scratching your pubic area and also avoid shaving until the bumps subside.
• Lastly, if nothing works, consult a dermatologist.

2. How Long Do Razor Bumps Take to Go Away?

It usually takes about a week or two for razor bumps to subside. Whether it is about healing razor bumps after shaving or to reduce razor bumps in armpits, making use of natural remedies is best. The best remedy for razor bumps on legs is applying aloe vera gel to the affected area.

Try and prevent razor bumps with the help of the tips given. If you still have a problem, speak to a dermatologist.

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