How to clear razor bumps on your face

Why the bumps keep coming back

Razor bumps, medically called pseudofolliculitis barbae, develop when cut hairs grow back into the skin and cause inflammation. Coarse, curly hair is particularly prone to this, though anyone who removes facial hair can develop bumps. Shaving removes the hair strand, not the follicle it grows from, despite the rather final sound of "hair removal". Razor bumps are not primarily an infection, but infected hair follicles can occur alongside them. Bumps can leave dark marks or scars after healing.1234

Help existing bumps settle

Pause shaving, waxing and tweezing if possible. Hold a clean, warm washcloth over the affected area for 10 to 15 minutes to soothe discomfort and help trapped hairs release. Do not pick, squeeze, scratch or pluck hairs from the bumps: this can damage skin and lead to infection. Inflammation commonly takes four to six weeks to settle after stopping hair removal. Some new bumps can still appear initially as hairs from your last shave curl inward. Expect fewer bumps within a month; complete clearing can take three months.12356

How can you clear up razor bumps?

If stopping is not practical, change the shave itself. An electric shaver or trimmer can help avoid cutting hairs too short. With an electric shaver, hold it just above the skin surface. For wet shaving, use a sharp single blade and follow this sequence.235

1. 1Wash your face with a gentle cleanser and warm water. For sensitive skin, choose gentle shaving products.
2. 2Apply moisturizing shaving cream and leave it for one or two minutes. Keep the cream wet while shaving. Shaving cream moisturizes skin and softens hair, so the foam has a job beyond decorating the sink.
3. 3Shave slowly in the direction the hair grows. Check under your chin, where hairs can grow in different directions. Do not stretch the skin or press hard.
4. 4Use short strokes and aim for one pass over each area. Leave about 1 mm of stubble rather than chasing a completely smooth finish. Rinse the blade after every stroke.
5. 5Rinse away the cream thoroughly, then hold a cool, wet washcloth against your face for five minutes. Finish with moisturizer.
6. 6Dry the razor and store it somewhere dry, not in the shower or on a wet sink. Replace a single blade after five to seven shaves.

There is no single shaving schedule that suits every pattern of ingrowing hair. Shaving every other day is one option; for men with darker skin tones whose hairs curl inward as they lengthen, shaving daily or every two to three days can help. Avoid shaving irritated skin until the irritation resolves.127

Can creams or exfoliation help?

Gentle exfoliation with a washcloth and small circular movements can help release trapped hairs. Glycolic acid preparations can reduce new inflamed spots. A pharmacist can help choose an exfoliating product or something for itching. Stop an aftershave that burns or stings. Hair removal creams can irritate skin, so they are not an automatic solution. Persistent bumps sometimes need prescribed retinoid creams or treatment for inflammation or infection. Laser hair reduction is another option, but discuss pigment changes, especially in darker skin, before treatment.12346

When to see a doctor

See a doctor if the area is very painful, hot or swollen, or if you have a high temperature, chills or feel very unwell. Large red pustules after shaving can signal a deeper infection that needs assessment. See a dermatologist if bumps persist despite changing your shaving technique, particularly if scars are developing.256