The Best Razor Bump Treatments

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The Best Razor Bump Treatments

Razor bumps are often the price you pay for smooth, perfectly shaved skin. It doesn’t matter if you like to keep your pits, legs, head, or face hair-free; we’re all at the mercy of post-shave irritation.

One of the biggest offenders, razor bumps, are notoriously hard to tackle. What are razor bumps? Well, unlike razor burn (caused by friction), they’re just ingrown hairs that pop up and appear in places you remove hair. They happen when the hair curls or curves back into the skin, which causes small red bumps and issues like redness, inflammation, and itchiness.

What causes razor bumps in the first place? Multi-blade razors are the number 1 cause of razor bumps. They pull, tug, and cut hairs beneath the surface of your skin, which increases your risk of ingrown hairs.

Ingrown hairs can happen to anyone, but some groups, like those with coarse, thick, or curly hair, experience them at higher rates than the rest of the population. Having the best razor bump treatments on hand is exactly what you need to keep your skin irritation free.

We scoured primary resources, chatted with a few derms, and tested a few products to find the best razor bump treatments. We’ll include the best razor to shave with and follow-up treatments that your skin will thank you for.

1. Supply The Single Edge SE

What better way to treat razor bumps than to prevent them altogether? The Single Edge SE lets you get a super close shave without causing ingrown hairs or other kinds of irritation. Instead of spending your time stressing about razor bumps, you can focus on more important things—like whether or not you want to move to the countryside, rescue 12 dogs, three ducks, and one donkey, and live happily ever after in a small town named Shropshire.

Getting a close shave doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your skin. There’s no reason razor bumps, nicks, and cuts should mar your terrific skin. As a safety razor, this tool can help you get a close shave without causing irritation.

While The Single Edge SE doesn’t actively treat your ingrown hairs, it’s 100% the tool you need in your shaving kit to prevent your skin from morphing into one big irritated mess. Unlike multi-razor blades, Supply’s razor is designed to shave precisely at the surface of the skin, eliminating bumps, burns, and breakouts.

Wanna meet the star of the show? The Black Label Blade Pack with eight hair-slicing blades is the real rockstar. They’re what effortlessly sweeps away hair and help you get that uber-close shave. Each pack has eight blades, and one typically lasts around eight to 12 shaves, depending on your hair type and thickness.

2. Fur Ingrown Concentrate

Formulated specifically for those pesky ingrown hairs, Fur Ingrown Concentrate is a sleek dropper bottle that’s like liquid gold. Nestled inside the bottle is a soothing, healing blend of oils like coconut, lavender, grape seed, castor, and jojoba, and it’s their full-time job to repair the skin after ingrown hairs occur.

Notice that big white mitt next to the slim bottle? That’s a textured cloth mitt that you get to put on your hand like a puppet, and instead of mesmerizing everyone with your secret puppet skills, you get to use it like a self-care exfoliating tool and target irritated areas of your skin.

If you know you’re prone to ingrown hairs—and have already bought the best preventative razor for razor bumps—we recommend adding this oil to your routine. It’s an effective razor bump treatment that helps heal and transform irritated skin into a calm, serene zone.

When you shower, gently use the mitt to exfoliate areas prone to irritation and razor bumps. Then when you hop out of the shower and dry off, rub in a few drops of oil on the same area. Or areas where you already have ingrown hairs. Be careful when using the oil because a little goes a long way. A few drops are all you need to exile bumps and redness.

3. GiGi No Bump Solution

“No, I don’t want no bumps. A bump is a guy that can’t get no love from me.” That is the anthem—nay, theme song—for this affordable solution to razor bumps. GiGi’s No Bump Solution is a one-stop shop for basic bump irritation and symptoms.

Inside the cool green bottle is a list of ingredients that won’t let ingrown hairs take over. Salicylic acid works as an exfoliant to clear the skin of dead skin cells and debris that clog the pores. Along for the ride are sea buckthorn extract, panthenol, glycerin, and menthol, which keep the skin hydrated and primed.

No Bump Solution can be used before and after you shave to prevent ingrown hairs and irritation. Start using it on high-irritation areas three to four days before hair removal and then use it daily after shaving (or other removal methods).

We love the solution because it helps prevent ingrown hairs and is incredibly budget-friendly. It’s an excellent razor bump treatment for folks who don’t have a lot of cash to spare and want something that will be effective.

4. Crystal Peel Microdermabrasion Exfoliating Soap Body Bar

Have you been looking for an excuse to rub an exfoliating soap bar up and down your body? If you’re a soap bar kind of guy—or heck, even if you’re not—this is an incredible way to gently exfoliate any razor bump-prone areas and keep them free from irritation.

So why do you need a weird-looking soap bar to treat razor bumps? We’re glad you asked. As an exfoliating tool, it will remove dead skin cells, dirt, grime, excess oil, and anything else clogging your pores. It removes it from areas where you’ll be shaving, which means your shaving tool will have an unencumbered experience and should cause less irritation.

For the best results, use the exfoliation soap bar a few days leading up to your shave, and don’t use it the day you shave. Using it pre-shave will give your skin and hair follicles the best chance to remain irritation-free.

We’ve got a confession, though. Crystal Peel’s soap bar is pretty small but comes in different sizes. We recommend buying the 4oz bar because folks who use the 2.4oz option complain that it doesn’t last very long.

5. AmLactin Daily Moisturizing Lotion

Acca-scuse me. Can a lotion really treat razor bumps? Yes, Wendy, they can. Folks who want another tool to treat them, or can’t get their hands on the other products we recommended, can go for this Daily Moisturizing Lotion from AmLactin.

Appearances can be deceiving because, at first glance, this hydrating lotion just looks like your typical smooth, buttery skin aid, making it feel slightly wet and moisturized. But this lotion is more than that. It’s your extra protective layer and barrier that you’ll use after exfoliating or shaving.

After exfoliating or shaving, you want to create a protective boundary between your skin and external stressors. But you also don’t want to trap in pests like inflammation or heat. This lotion straddles the line because it can trap in the right things and keep out unwanted irritants. It does that by using 12% Lactic Acid. It’s a gentle exfoliant and hydrator that restores your body's natural moisture levels.

AmLactin Daily Moisturizing Lotion is the best razor bump treatment for folks who want an exfoliating and hydrating lotion to protect the skin.

6. Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Salicylic Acid Exfoliant

With a fan base the size of California, it’s no surprise this gentle exfoliant made its way to the best of the best razor bump treatments. The Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Salicylic Acid Exfoliant is a leave-on gentle exfoliant that sloughs off dead skin cells and other build-up and unclogs pores.

While the exfoliant is typically used as a toner for the face, you can also use it on areas prone to ingrown hair pre-shave or hair removal. It’s an excellent way to prep the skin and ensure you get an irritation-free shave. It’s ideal for normal, dry, combination, or oily skin types but isn’t a perfect match for sensitive skin.

To get more bang for your buck, we recommend using the exfoliant on your face as a toner and on those razor-burn-prone areas that are likely to pop up at your next shave.

When using the liquid, cover up the areas you use the product with SPF 30+ when heading outdoors. It makes the skin more sensitive and prone to sunburn. We recognize that this product isn’t for everyone, but folks who use it highly recommend it due to its effectiveness.

What You Need to Know About Razor Bump Treatments

Say goodbye to razor bumps and ingrown here. We’ll help you shop for razor bump treatments and make sure you’re following the best tips for an irritation-free shave.

Symptoms and Signs of Razor Bumps

Do you often get small red bumps on your skin, but you’re unsure if they’re razor bumps? Some of the symptoms include:

• Pain
• Itching
• Small Papules
• Pustules
• Skin Darkening

How to Shop for Razor Bump Treatments

Building a shaving routine freeing you from razor bumps is an art form. You’ll likely need pre- and post-shave products that prep, exfoliate, soothe and heal the skin.

We’ll highlight key features you should know about products before buying.

Good Ingredients

The ingredient list is the number one thing to be aware of while you shop. There are a few all-star natural ingredients that can cut down on shaving irritation.

Aloe vera: While aloe vera is better known for its hydrating benefits, it can also help treat razor bumps. The ingredient’s natural anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties make it an ideal substance to treat the itchiness, redness, or inflammation often caused by ingrown hairs.

Using natural aloe gel for razor bumps is easy. Carefully remove aloe gel from a plant (or product from the store) and evenly spread it across any affected areas.

Tea tree oil: This oil is well-known for its antibacterial, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory properties, making it an ideal candidate to naturally treat razor bumps. The oil can reduce stress and inflammation in the skin while loosening ingrown hairs and opening up your pores.

Many products for ingrown hairs utilize this powerful oil, but you can also make a home remedy. Get a bowl of warm water and stir 10 to 15 drops of tea tree oil in, then place a washcloth in the bowl. Allow it to soak up the mixture, and use the washcloth like a gentle compress. Apply it to the affected area. It will open up the pores and soak into the skin.

If you don’t find these natural ingredients in any of your razor bump treatment products, we recommend adding some of these natural methods to your grooming rituals. They’re an easy way to shorten the pain, itchiness, or other symptoms of ingrown hairs.

Ingredients to Avoid

Taking care of your skin is challenging, especially when we live in a world full of chemical-laden products that aren’t always good for our health. The last thing you want is to cover your ingrown hairs with harsh, irritating products.

Avoid harsh ingredients like phthalates, sulfates, artificial fragrances, PEGs, and synthetic dyes or colors. They often cause unwanted reactions like redness, inflammation, itchiness, and more and would likely exacerbate symptoms from ingrown hairs.

One easy way to avoid these harsh ingredients is to stop purchasing cheap grocery or dollar store products. We know. In this economy, they often feel like the best option, but they typically cause even more problems for your skin.

Top Tips and Tricks to Prevent Razor Bumps

While products for razor burn certainly help solve and soothe irritation, there are other treatment options or steps you can implement in your grooming routine to decrease the chance of ingrown hairs.

Go With the Grain

One of the simplest things you can do is shave with the grain. Shaving with the grain means you’re shaving in the same direction the hair is growing. Shaving against the grain means you’re shaving in the opposite direction that the hair is growing.

Shaving in the opposite direction causes much more irritation and ingrown hairs.

Exfoliate

Keep pores clean and clear by using a gentle exfoliant. Use a homemade gentle exfoliant or store-bought product that calmly removes dead skin cells and other debris that causes clogged pores.

Gently scrub the exfoliant onto the areas where you experience razor bumps and rub it in circular motions for five to ten minutes. Be careful not to use too much pressure as this can tear or damage your skin. When finished, rinse the area off with warm water.

Replace Your Razor Blades Frequently

Dull blades can cause ingrown hairs. A dull blade will slice off hair jaggedly, which may curve or curl into the skin (instead of out) and cause razor bumps. It’s pretty easy to avoid this by replacing your blade as soon as you notice it’s becoming dull.

How do you know when it’s dull? It won’t easily glide over your skin and requires more effort to cut through the hair. You may also feel dragging, tugging, or pulling on the hair or skin.

Visit Your Dermatologist

If you’ve tried it all and nothing seems to help your razor bumps, it may be time to hitch a ride to your lovely local dermatologist. A derm can recommend, advise, and prescribe treatments or medications that can help you from incurring the wrath of the ingrown hair gods.

They can prescribe antibacterial lotions, home remedies that may (or may not) work for you, and over-the-counter steroid creams—some other options include extracting ingrown hairs through sterile incision, electrolysis, and laser hair removal. Laser hair removal is an excellent option for those who constantly battle razor bumps because removing hair follicle growth also means you can’t get ingrown hairs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are razor bumps and ingrown hairs the same thing?

Yes. Razor bumps and ingrown hair are the same thing; you can use the terms interchangeably. Razor bumps are areas of the skin where the hair starts to grow and may curve and curl inward, which gets trapped and causes a bump to form.

How do you get rid of razor bumps permanently?

One way to never see a pesky razor bump again is to hang your hat and quit shaving. To never get ingrown hairs ever again, you’ll have to forgo shaving and join the “Hairy Hairy Human Club.” Which honestly works well for folks who like to keep things natural! Sadly there is no foolproof method to curing razor bumps when shaving, and if you continue shaving, you won’t be able to cure them permanently.

What’s the fastest way to get rid of razor bumps?

The fastest way to get rid of razor bumps is to stop saying. Sorry, we know it’s not a great solution, especially for those dealing with copious amounts of hair. Another great tool to get rid of ingrown hairs quickly is to use salicylic or glycolic acid. They’re pros at eliminating dead skin cells, clearing up clogged pores, and helping the skin stay smooth and irritation free.

What’s the best razor bump treatment?

The best treatment for razor bumps is to use a razor that won’t cause it in the first place. Supply’s The Single Edge SE is the best razor bump treatment. It allows you to get a front-row seat to your shave and painlessly slices off hair anywhere on the body. Yes, anywhere, anywhere. The razor can tackle any type of hair, including thick, coarse, and curly types, and its NickStop™ Technology reduces nicks and cuts by 75%. 

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