Can you pop razor bumps?

Why squeezing does not solve the problem

Close shaving leaves a sharp hair tip that can turn back into the skin and trigger inflammation. Coarse or curly hair is particularly prone to this. Razor bumps can appear on the face, neck, legs, armpits or pubic area. Infection can develop alongside the ingrown hair, and opening an inflamed follicle can worsen an infection. Digging out a buried hair can also leave scarring or dark marks.234

Razor burn is different: it is usually a blotchy, irritated rash that appears shortly after shaving, rather than separate bumps around hairs. A cool washcloth and moisturizer can soothe razor burn. Avoid fragranced or alcohol containing products on irritated skin, and stop shaving the affected area until it heals.5

What should you do instead?

Warm compresses can ease discomfort, a useful job for something with no launch campaign.6

1. 1Pause shaving the affected area. If shaving, waxing or plucking has caused folliculitis, an infection of the hair follicles, stop those activities for 30 days.
2. 2Apply a warm, moist washcloth for 10 to 15 minutes, three or four times a day. This softens the skin and can help ease inflammation and discomfort.
3. 3Leave the bump alone while it settles. Do not squeeze it to force drainage, or use a needle to reach a hair under the skin.
4. 4If a hair is already sticking out of the skin, wash the area with warm, soapy water and clean angled tweezers with alcohol. Gently grasp only the exposed hair. If the hair is completely buried, leave removal to a healthcare professional.

Do not aggressively scrub a bump to get the hair out. Exfoliation can cause inflammation and dark marks, and is not always helpful for an existing ingrown hair. A pharmacist can help you choose products for itching, irritation or preventing ingrown hairs.14

How long do razor bumps take to clear?

Razor bumps can take about four to six weeks to subside after stopping the hair removal that caused them. Continuing the same shaving technique can keep the problem going. A hair that keeps growing beneath the skin, or a bump that persists despite home care, needs a dermatologist's assessment. Razor burn generally clears much faster, within hours to a few days.245

How can you prevent the next batch?

Shaving cream or gel helps the blade glide, so the foam has a job beyond making shaving look official.5

• Soften skin and hair with warm water before shaving, ideally after a shower. Choose shaving cream labelled for sensitive skin if your skin is dry or sensitive.
• Shave with hair growth using short, light strokes. Do not stretch the skin or repeatedly shave the same spot.
• Leave about 1 mm of stubble rather than shaving extremely close. Reduce shaving frequency or try an electric shaver or trimmer.
• Rinse the razor after every swipe, replace blades after five to seven shaves, and let the razor dry completely between uses.

When should you get medical help?

Get medical help promptly for increasing pain or swelling, warmth, spreading redness or substantial pus or drainage. See a doctor if you have a high temperature, feel shivery or feel very unwell. Redness can be harder to see on brown or black skin, so also check for heat, swelling and pain. If you cannot stop shaving or bumps keep returning, a dermatologist can discuss medication and changes to your shaving technique.146