Do razor bumps go away?

Razor bumps or razor burn?

Razor bumps are inflamed spots caused by hairs growing back into the skin, medically called pseudofolliculitis. They often resemble small pimples and can itch or feel tender. Coarse or curly hair is more prone to becoming ingrown. Bumps can occur on the face, neck, legs, armpits or pubic area. Razor burn is different: it is a blotchy irritation that appears soon after shaving and usually lasts a few hours to a few days.1234

Do razor bumps go away with time?

Time helps when the trapped hairs can grow out. If you stop shaving your beard, you should see fewer bumps within one month, with clearance expected by three months. The 4 to 6 week settling period is not necessarily the point when every bump has disappeared. New bumps can appear initially even after you stop shaving, because hairs from the last shave are still growing and curling back into the skin.5

Why won't razor bumps go away?

Close shaving can leave sharp hairs that curl back into the skin or retract beneath its surface. Repeating that process can create new bumps while older ones heal. A clean shaven finish and a less close shave are different goals, however enthusiastically razor advertising merges them. Picking, squeezing or plucking trapped hairs can worsen the problem. Healed bumps can also leave dark marks or scars, so a remaining mark is not necessarily an active ingrown hair.235

How to shave if stopping is not an option

1. 1Wash with a gentle cleanser and rinse thoroughly. Soften the hair with warm water, ideally at the end of a shower.
2. 2Apply moisturizing shaving cream and leave it for one or two minutes. Keep it wet while shaving.
3. 3Use a sharp single blade or an electric razor. Shave with hair growth, using short strokes without stretching the skin or pressing hard.
4. 4Avoid a close shave and repeated passes. Leave about 1 mm of stubble, and rinse the blade after each stroke.
5. 5Rinse away the shaving cream, then apply a cool, wet cloth. Stop using an aftershave if it burns or stings.
6. 6Dry the razor and store it somewhere dry. Replace a single blade after five to seven shaves.

There is no single shaving frequency that suits every pattern of ingrown hair. Leaving stubble and shaving every other day can help, while some men with darker skin tones benefit from careful shaving daily or every two to three days to limit hairs curling back. An electric razor is worth trying instead of a blade, even if the bathroom shelf was not planning a staffing change.135

When should you get help?

Razor bumps are not primarily an infection, but infected hair follicles, called folliculitis, can look similar or occur alongside them. Pus can occur with infected ingrown hairs. See a doctor if the area is very painful, hot or swollen, or if you have a high temperature, chills or feel very unwell. Severe or persistent folliculitis needs medical assessment.1236

See a dermatologist if bumps continue despite changing your technique, particularly if scars are developing or you cannot stop shaving. Treatment can include creams for inflammation, prescription retinoids or antibiotics when appropriate. A pharmacist can help select products for itching or exfoliation. Hair removal creams can irritate, and waxing or plucking can also cause ingrown hairs, so switching methods is not automatically a solution.1357