How to fix razor bumps

What to do about existing bumps

Do not pick, squeeze or dig out the hairs. Picking can damage skin and cause infection; plucking hairs inside bumps can worsen them. A warm, wet compress can soothe the area and help loosen trapped hairs. Keep the skin moisturized. If you also have razor burn, use a fragrance free moisturizer and a cool washcloth for discomfort. Avoid fragrances and alcohol on irritated skin, and stop any aftershave that burns or stings.234

How to shave without making bumps worse

A single blade or electric razor is often recommended, so the blade count need not become an arms race. For very dry or sensitive skin, choose shaving cream labelled for sensitive skin.25

1. 1Check which direction your hair grows, including under the chin. Different patches can grow in different directions.
2. 2Wet the skin and hair with warm water. Shave after a shower, or hold a warm compress on the beard area for five minutes.
3. 3Apply moisturizing shaving cream and leave it for one to two minutes. Keep it wet while shaving.
4. 4Use a sharp blade, light pressure and short strokes in the direction of growth. Do not stretch the skin, and avoid repeated passes.
5. 5Rinse the blade after each stroke. Leave about 1 mm of stubble rather than chasing a completely smooth finish.
6. 6Rinse away the shaving cream thoroughly, then apply a cool, wet cloth.
7. 7Dry the razor and store it somewhere dry, not in the shower. Replace a single blade after five to seven shaves.

Shaving cream belongs in the routine even with an electric razor, which does not get a paperwork exemption.2

Should you shave less often?

Stopping shaving is the clearest option, but advice differs when you continue. General ingrown hair care favors avoiding daily shaving or trying every other day. For men with darker skin and beard bumps who need to keep shaving, a specific approach uses daily shaving or every two to three days to prevent hairs growing long enough to curl back into skin. Neither approach calls for shaving closely.123

Can exfoliation or treatment creams help?

Glycolic acid preparations can exfoliate the surface and reduce new inflamed spots. A pharmacist can help you choose exfoliating products or something for itching. Ask a doctor before using acne medicines for razor bumps. Treatments include benzoyl peroxide or tretinoin to reduce the buildup around hair follicles, steroid cream for inflammation, and antibiotics when needed. Hair removal creams are another option, but can irritate skin; laser hair removal is a longer term alternative.134

How long do razor bumps take to clear?

After stopping the hair removal that caused them, razor bumps typically settle in four to six weeks. Beard bumps can take up to three months to disappear. New bumps can still appear initially as previously cut hairs curl into the skin before growing out. Razor burn usually clears much faster, within hours to a few days.124

When to get medical help

See a doctor if the area is very painful, hot or swollen, or you have a fever, chills or feel very unwell. Pus can indicate infection. See a dermatologist if bumps continue despite changing your shaving technique, because persistent bumps can leave dark marks and permanent scars.123