Razor bump treatment: what helps and how to shave

Are they razor bumps or razor burn?

Razor bumps, also called pseudofolliculitis, are inflammation around hairs trapped beneath the skin. A hair cut too short can retract into its follicle, the small opening where hair grows, then grow into the surrounding skin. Coarse or curly hair is particularly prone to becoming ingrown. The bumps can affect anyone and appear anywhere hair is removed, not just the beard.1

Razor burn is a blotchy, irritated rash that usually appears within minutes of shaving. Razor bumps look more like individual pimples. Ingrown hairs can look raised and itchy, sometimes with a visible trapped hair. Redness can be harder to see on brown or black skin, where bumps can look a different colour from surrounding skin. Razor bumps are not primarily an infection, although infection can develop alongside them.345

How do you treat razor bumps at home?

1. 1Pause shaving, waxing and tweezing on the affected area. Continuing the same hair removal can keep the inflammation going.
2. 2Apply a warm compress for 10 minutes to soothe the area and loosen crusts.
3. 3Keep the skin moisturised. For dry, irritated skin after shaving, choose a moisturising lotion without fragrance, alcohol or other irritants.
4. 4Leave the bumps alone. Scratching, picking and squeezing can damage skin and lead to infection.

A pharmacist can help you choose an itching cream, an exfoliating product or a mild antiseptic. Exfoliating products can help release trapped hairs or prevent ingrown hairs, but they are not a substitute for changing the hair removal that causes the problem. If a hair needs removal with a sterile needle or blade, a clinician can do that.4

What creams help razor bumps?

Choose by the problem being treated: moisturiser for dryness, an itching product for discomfort, and medical treatment for persistent inflammation or infection. Retinoid creams, a group that includes tretinoin, or retinoid and antibiotic combinations are sometimes prescribed. Follow the product or prescription directions rather than giving every cream the same schedule.1

How should you shave if you cannot stop?

Wet shaving usually gives a closer finish than an electric razor, although 'closer' is not a prize category. Try an electric shaver if a blade keeps cutting too close. No single shaving technique works for everyone: some hairs curl back into the skin, while others retract after being cut too short.1

1. 1Wet the skin with warm water and apply shaving gel before starting.
2. 2Follow the direction of hair growth. Do not pull the skin tight.
3. 3Use a sharp single blade if wet shaving. Make light, short strokes and avoid going over the same area repeatedly.
4. 4Leave about 1 mm of stubble rather than shaving flush with the skin.
5. 5Rinse the razor after every stroke.
6. 6Hold a cool, wet cloth against the skin afterwards to reduce irritation.
7. 7Shave every second day rather than daily, if possible.

Hair under the jaw can grow in several directions, so a shaving plan based on one downward sweep is asking the beard to cooperate with the diagram.5

What medical treatments are used for razor bumps?

A dermatologist can check whether the bumps are ingrown hairs, infected follicles or another condition. Some people who cannot stop shaving can continue with medication applied to their skin. Treatment depends on what is causing the bumps, rather than how closely they resemble acne.6

Antibiotic creams or tablets can treat infection. Some oral antibiotics also reduce inflammation and are used for more severe cases. For shaving related folliculitis with infection, stop shaving, plucking or waxing for 30 days. Warm compresses for 15 to 20 minutes, at least three to four times daily, can help relieve discomfort.16

Hair removal cream dissolves hair rather than cutting it, so the razor is not the only department with a job here. These creams can irritate skin. Laser treatment or intense pulsed light can reduce hair growth for prolonged periods, but changes in skin pigmentation are a particular concern in dark skin. Discuss that risk before choosing treatment. Waxing, plucking and threading can also cause ingrown hairs.14

How long do razor bumps take to clear?

Razor bumps usually settle about four to six weeks after stopping the hair removal that causes them. Hairs need time to grow beyond the length at which they become ingrown. Continuing the same technique makes persistent bumps more likely. Razor burn is quicker: it usually lasts a few hours to a few days.35

How do you treat razor bumps on the back of the head?

Persistent bumps on the back of the scalp or neck need a diagnosis, especially if there are firm scars or hair loss. Acne keloidalis nuchae is a condition in this area that can cause bumps, infection and scarring hair loss. Early treatment helps prevent worsening; established scars make treatment harder.7

If diagnosed, treatment starts with reducing irritation from close haircuts, rubbing collars, headwear and scratching. A dermatologist can prescribe corticosteroids, retinoids or antibiotics and recommend a benzoyl peroxide cleanser to help prevent infection. Larger raised scars or painful collections of pus sometimes require procedures. Do not treat scarring scalp bumps as ordinary ingrown hairs indefinitely.7

When should you see a doctor?

• Get medical help if a bump or the surrounding skin is very painful, hot or swollen.
• Seek medical help if you have a high temperature, chills or feel very unwell.
• See a dermatologist for persistent razor bumps or scarring.
• Stop shaving and see a dermatologist for large red pustules. A severe shaving related infection can affect the whole follicle and cause scars.