How to get rid of underarm razor bumps

What causes razor bumps in the armpits?

Razor bumps form when cut hairs grow back into the skin and trigger inflammation. Close shaving makes this more likely, especially with coarse or curly hair. The bumps can itch or feel tender, and sometimes a trapped hair is visible. Shaving removes the hair, not the follicle, so the next growth cycle has not been cancelled.234

Not every bump after shaving is an ingrown hair: folliculitis means an inflamed or infected hair follicle, and infection can coexist with razor bumps. Pus, increasing pain or enlarging bumps deserve attention rather than another pass with the razor.235

How do you soothe razor bumps?

1. 1Pause shaving until the irritation resolves. Allow the hair to grow instead of repeatedly cutting it close to the skin.
2. 2Apply a warm compress for 10 to 15 minutes to soothe the area and help trapped hairs release.
3. 3Leave the bumps alone. Scratching, picking and squeezing can damage the skin and cause infection or scarring.
4. 4Ask a pharmacist about creams or lotions for itching and suitable exfoliating products. Gentle exfoliation can help release trapped hairs; use warm rather than hot water and small circular movements with a washcloth.

Warm towels can also ease discomfort from mild folliculitis. Persistent inflammation or infection needs a different approach: a clinician can prescribe treatment for swelling or infection and, when necessary, release an ingrown hair with sterile equipment.45

How do you prevent ingrown hairs in the armpits?

Not shaving is the most effective prevention. If you want to keep removing underarm hair, try an electric shaver instead of a blade and avoid cutting right down to the skin. Leaving about 1 mm of stubble reduces the risk of ingrown hairs, even if the razor's ambition is a closer shave.34

1. 1Soften the hair with warm water, ideally at the end of a shower, and wash the area with a gentle cleanser.
2. 2Apply moisturizing shaving cream or gel. Let it sit for two to three minutes to soften the hair further.
3. 3Shave in the direction the hair grows without stretching the skin. Use short strokes and avoid going over the same area twice.
4. 4Rinse the blade after every stroke. Replace disposable razors after five to seven shaves, sooner if blunt, and store them somewhere dry.
5. 5Rinse off the shaving cream, apply a cool damp cloth to reduce irritation, then moisturize.

Once irritation has resolved, shaving frequency needs adjustment: less frequent shaving helps some people, while shaving every two to three days gives hairs less time to curve back. Neither approach replaces avoiding an excessively close shave. Hair removal creams are another option, but they can irritate; laser hair removal is a longer term alternative.346

Can deodorant irritate razor bumps?

Yes. Perfumed deodorants can irritate underarm hair follicles, creating an opening for secondary infection. Avoid a perfumed deodorant that irritates the area while the bumps settle. Fragrance is not a treatment for an inflamed follicle, however enthusiastically the product smells of something else.7

When should you see a doctor?

Get medical help if a bump or the surrounding skin is very painful, hot or swollen, or if you have a fever, chills or feel very unwell. See a doctor for recurring painful or draining underarm boils: these can reflect infection or hidradenitis suppurativa, a recurring condition affecting skin folds. Book a dermatologist appointment if bumps persist despite changing your shaving habits, because ongoing razor bumps can leave dark marks and scars.3467