Razor Bumps
Pseudofolliculitis barbae, commonly referred to as “razor bumps” or “ingrown hairs”, are the small, often red dots that appear after shaving. The red is a telltale sign that the skin reacts to ingrown hairs as inflammation. They itch and are generally experienced as irritating, similar to a mosquito bite. But with good shave technique and the right products, you can avoid razor bumps.
Below, we have written eight simple tips that helps to prevent razor bumps.
1. Multi-blade razors shave below skin level.
Multi-blade razors are designed to “lift” the hair before it is cut off. This causes the hair to be cut off under the skin. When the hair grows back, it gets stuck under the skin, leading to razor bumps. And the more razor blades your razor has, the worse this gets. The hair must be cut evenly with skin level to prevent this from happening. With only one razor blade, our safety razor cut flush with the skin.
2. Coarse hair growth easily gets stuck.
Coarse hairs get stuck more easily between the blades in a multi-blade razor. Causing the hair to be pulled out of the skin, leading to irritation and ingrown hairs. This is avoided if utilizing a sharp safety razor with only one razor blade.
3. Don’t press on skin.
Multi-blade razors are often made of plastic which makes them very light. Therefore, unnecessary pressure must be applied to the skin when shaving. Users of multi-blade razors often experience this as the razor tearing off the hair instead of cutting it. Vali safety razor is made of steel and has a comfortable weight which means that you only need to apply minimal pressure and instead let the razor “do the job”.
4. Use fresh blades.
We recommend that you don’t use the same razor blade more than 3-5 times. After this, they lose sharpness and start pulling and tugging instead of cutting clean. A “refill” for multi-blade systems can cost as much as 4-5 euros per razor blade. Due to the high price, many choose to wait a considerably long time before switching to a fresh razor blade. In comparison, Vali razor blades in the trade cost about €0.5 per razor blade. A fraction of the cost of regular multi-blade razors! Allowing you to change razor blades more frequently. Better for both your skin and wallet since our razor blades can be recycled.
5. Electric shaving trimmers.
Electric shavers can also cause skin irritation and razor bumps. Plus, it is almost impossible to get a close shave with shaving trimmers because the skin is not moisturized and softened before shaving. Also, keep in mind that the clippers must be thoroughly cleaned after each shave so that bacteria that can infect the skin do not accumulate.
6. Never shave against the grain.
Admittedly, you get a closer shave, but at the same time, the risk of razor bumps and irritation increases as the hairs are cut off below the skin. So always shave with the grain. If you do not have overly sensitive skin, you may want to try shaving across (after shaving with the grain) the grain.
7. Preparation is key.
We recommend that you shower warm before shaving. It softens the skin and hair and opens up the pores. And, preferably, use a shaving brush when lathering up. The shaving brush exfoliates the skin and scrubs away dead skin cells that can cause ingrown hairs. The last tip; apply an emollient shaving oil before shaving to improve the glide between the razor blade and skin.
8. Use good shaving products.
Look for shaving creams and aftershaves that contain anti-inflammatory ingredients. The skin and body react to a razor bump as an inflammation. If you use shaving cream with anti-inflammatory ingredients, the cream will help counteract skin inflammation. As a result, the razor bump becomes less visible than if you were to get a razor bump without using anti-inflammatory shaving cream and aftershave. Completely skip using canned shaving foam. They contain chemical propellants that dehydrate the skin.
Tired of razor bumps?
Read our shaving guide and start shaving with a safety razor.