Many men who shave regularly know the frustrations that come with getting razor bumps – hairs that remain inside the hair follicle and begin growing into the skin. These ingrown hairs often appear as angry red bumps which can spoil the smart look of a freshly shaven face.
Razor bumps (also called razor burn) are caused by improper shaving tools and products. When hairs are cut beneath the skin, they tend to curl and bend as they grow back, forming unsightly and often painful bumps.
As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Using a single-blade razor, in combination with a high quality pre-shave oil and after-shave lotion, can be the best way to help reduce razor bumps and improve your shave overall.
However, there are many home remedies that claim to get rid of ingrown hairs if they do occur, but some are more effective than others. Here are eight of the best remedies to help reduce razor bumps.
1. ALOE VERA
Aloe Vera is a traditional remedy for helping soothe irritated skin. If you have an Aloe Vera plant at home, then snip off the tip of a leaf and squeeze the gel inside directly onto the skin to get rid of razor burn. You can also buy Aloe Vera gel, but be careful to choose a brand that contains no artificial colors or fragrances. One step further – choose a shave cream that contains Aloe Vera that provides the soothing benefits like our own Bevel Shave Cream.
2. HOT COMPRESS
You can make a hot compress by soaking cotton wool in hot water and pressing it gently against your skin. The heat opens up your pores, allowing the trapped hair to become free.
3. WITCH HAZEL
Witch hazel is a natural antiseptic that helps reduce inflammation in the skin. Apply it directly to your razor bumps to help reduce the redness and irritation. It is so effective that we put it in our Bevel Restoring Balm.
4. HYDROCORTISONE CREAM
Hydrocortisone cream has an anti-inflammatory effect similar to that of witch hazel, but is much stronger. It is sold in most pharmacies as a treatment for swollen and irritated skin. Apply a small amount of cream to help reduce razor bumps.
5. LEMON JUICE
Lemon juice is naturally acidic and so helps to stop bacteria from colonizing ingrown hair follicles. Apply lemon juice to razor burn to help reduce redness and prevent infection.
6. TEA TREE OIL
Tea tree oil is a natural anti-bacterial agent. Pure tea tree oil is very strong, so always dilute it with a little water before applying it to your skin. We included just the right amount of it in our Bevel Restoring Balm to help protect your skin.
7. WHITE TEA
It might sound crazy, but ordinary white tea bags can help to get rid of razor burn. Tea contains tannic acid, which helps to reduce inflammation. Simply wet the tea bag and press it against the affected skin to reduce redness and swelling.
8. PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE
The best way to get rid of razor bumps for good is to change the way you shave. You need to use the correct shaving cream and after shave oil to prevent irritation as well as the correct razor to get the cleanest shave without cutting into your skin. For an example of the kind of high-quality shaving products you should be using to care for your skin, check out the Bevel Shaving Kit, a single-blade, wet-shaving kit system specifically designed to help reduce razor bumps.
