How to avoid razor bumps on your face

Why do facial razor bumps happen?

Razor bumps develop when cut hairs curl back into the skin instead of growing outward. They commonly affect the cheeks, chin and neck and can feel itchy or painful. Anyone can get them, but coarse or curly hair makes ingrown hairs more likely. Trimming a beard can also trigger bumps during the stubble phase, so putting down a wet razor does not always solve the problem.134

How can you avoid razor bumps?

Shaving cream softens hair and helps the razor glide, rather than serving only as scenery in a shaving advert. Soap and water alone can dry the skin and make hairs catch in the razor.5

1. 1Check which way your facial hair grows before starting. Follow the growth direction in each area rather than assuming your cheeks and neck need identical strokes.
2. 2Wash with a cleanser that will not clog pores. Shave at the end of a shower or immediately afterward, or soften the hair with a warm, damp washcloth.
3. 3Apply a gel before shaving and leave it for about 30 seconds. Follow with fragrance free shaving cream and let it sit for 2 to 3 minutes before using the razor.
4. 4Use a sharp, single blade razor. Shave with the hair's growth direction, without pulling the skin taut or pressing down. Use as few strokes as possible and rinse the blade after every stroke.
5. 5Leave at least 1 mm of stubble rather than shaving flush with the skin. Skip the second pass against the grain: a closer finish brings a higher risk of ingrown hairs and irritation.
6. 6Rinse away all the gel and cream with lukewarm water. Hold a cool, damp cloth against the shaved area, then gently pat dry with a clean towel, leaving the skin slightly damp.
7. 7Apply a moisturizer suited to your skin type. After shaving, use broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher when going outdoors, and reapply after swimming or sweating.

Keep the blade sharp, or switch tools

Replace a disposable razor after 5 to 7 shaves and store it somewhere dry. Replace it sooner if the blade rusts, cracks, chips or starts tugging, or if you need more pressure to cut the hair. Clean an electric razor every 5 to 7 shaves.25

An electric razor is another option, so the wet shave does not have exclusive rights to your morning. Hold the shaver just above the skin rather than chasing the closest possible result.4

Should you shave every day?

There is no single settled schedule. Daily shaving, or shaving every 2 to 3 days, gives hairs less time to grow and curve back; frequent shaving also increases the chance of ingrown hairs. Avoid daily shaving if possible, and consider leaving stubble or stopping rather than repeatedly shaving over returning bumps.124

What if you already have bumps?

Stop shaving and let the hair grow. Warm compresses for 10 to 15 minutes can help trapped hairs release. Gentle exfoliation can also help; ask a pharmacist about suitable exfoliating products. Do not pick, scratch or squeeze the bumps, because this can damage skin and cause infection. Many ingrown hairs clear within one to two weeks, although severe cases can take several weeks.14

See a dermatologist if bumps persist despite changing your shaving habits, because recurring razor bumps can scar. Not every bump is an ingrown hair: folliculitis means an inflamed or infected hair follicle and can resemble acne. See a doctor if an area becomes very painful, hot or swollen, or if you develop a high temperature, chills or feel very unwell.126