Avoiding Shaving Bumps

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If you don’t know what a shaving bump is, they are the little bumps you sometimes experience in places where you shave, wax, or pluck. Scientifically known as Pseudofolliculitis barbae, these result when hair grows improperly and gets trapped inside the follicle. Although these happen to many people, they are more frequent in those who have curly hair. It’s a good thing shaving bumps are preventable. With a few tips here and there, you will rarely have shaving bumps in the future.

Before shaving, you should warm the area with water. This is important because your skin becomes more flexible and your blood vessels will course through the area. A tip: shave while in the shower. People actually say that it brings better results.

Using the right shaving cream can help you avoid irritations. Lather the cream well and choose thinner and more transparent creams. The razor gets to glide more easily on your skin.

Of course, shaving doesn’t happen without razors. Buying a good razor is very important and can mean more convenience to you. Electric razors are a good choice, but if you want blade shaving, get a single-bladed razor. For the electric razor, it might mean not having a very clean-cut face, but it sure wouldn’t cause shaving bumps. Meanwhile, two or more blades in a razor will pull out hair that’s already below your epidermis. Because the epidermis closes over any opening, the hair will have problems growing over the already-closed follicles. It will then cause swelling.

Go opposite the direction of hair growth when shaving. If the hair looks a little upwards, shave downwards. Men and women usually forget this rule. Try to remember this to ease the pain when the hair starts to grow back up.

After shaving, applying some toner or antibacterial gel can really help a lot. It kills the bacteria already building up on the open pores and prevents the bumps from ever happening.

Although simple, these tips will prevent Pseudofolliculitis barbae a lot. But if it continues, going to a dermatologist will be the best alternative. The doctor always knows best so he will advise you or give you something to stop shaving bumps from bothering you again.