Thread: Razor Bumps

Does anybody have any good advice on how to deal with Razor Bumps? Do straight razors do anything to mitigate Razor Bumps at all?

Well, the quick answer is "use a straight; it will help". The serious answer is yes, with a properly sharp razor & good technique, you should be able to vastly reduce, if not eliminate them.

They're caused by beard hairs growing back into the skin, a common symptom of shaving too close in susceptible areas. The nice thing about a single blade is , with experience, you can shave basically right up to the limit (for you; everyone is different), & not exceed it.

Originally Posted by JaFaLoWomer76

Does anybody have any good advice on how to deal with Razor Bumps? Do straight razors do anything to mitigate Razor Bumps at all?

There are razor bumps and razor bumps.
but the short answer is that a straight can help as can other tricks.

Visit the BiC web site and look for the Yellow handle single blade
tossable razors for sensitive skin. Hidden on the BiC web site is(was?)
some well written information.

One common source of bumps is the multiple blade effect where whiskers are
cut off below the skin line in a way that lets the hair tunnel back into the
skin. The two, three, four and five blade monsters work for a lot
of people but when they don't they don't.

A single blade razor, straight, double edge or BiC Yellow handle tossable
all will snip whiskers off just at the surface of the skin... For six bucks you
can get a months worth of the BiC razors and see if that is the issue. There
are better blades but for the price -- just try them.

Straight and DE razors can have an astounding range of smoothness and
sharpness. When you get them right they are both way better than the BiC
which is not too bad.....

The next most common source of bumps is a reaction to the insults of
shaving that can include too much pressure, irritating products, lack
of sanitation etc.

Start with a simple and basic shave soap and brush.... For the money
Williams shave soap and an inexpensive boar brush is a fine place to
start. van der hagen shave kit at a Walmart is a good start for about $12.
Nothing fancy but the VDH and Williams soap both continue to sell because
they are not too shabby.

If you are reacting to shave soaps there are some excellent ones like
Shaving Lotions, Shaving Soaps, Creams, Lotions & Toiletries - ClassicShaving.com

Do skip the aftershave and cologne bit. Skip alcohol based
products...

Simple strategy:
Start building a lather in your VDH bowl.
gently wash your face...
with cool water: rinse, rinse, rinse
Finish building your lather and apply to your face.
Let it rest for 20 seconds
Rinse a fresh yellow handle BiC in warm to hot water
and shave one systematic pass with a light touch.
with cool water rinse and inspect for missed patches
lather and shave those patches.
with cool water: rinse, rinse, rinse
pat dry with a clean towel.

Wait at least 20 min before applying an aftershave.
I like Nivea, After Shave Extra Soothing Balm Sensitive Skin.

With your bumps under control explore other shave
soaps and creams. Then explore different blades and
brushes. This is where it gets to be fun. A great soap
and well built lather and a little time....

Of all the hints my Dad ever gave me, sanitation was the
single most important one.

If you post your current routine, it might help. If anything seems glaringly like it would cause you problems it can be pointed out.

Things that have helped me are:

*Knowing when to stop. With proper prep & stretching it's possible that the hair is projected beyond where it normally sits. After the shave it will retract & can disappear beneath the skin.
Try stopping before you usually would & see how your skin feels after an hour. It should be smoother than immediately after you shaved.

*Map your beard. Shave with the grain, & across it if you want to go closer. If you're susceptible to ingrowns, just accept you can't go against the grain.

*Don't exfoliate prior to a shave. It removes skin. You get a closer shave. The razor removes more skin. It grows back & traps the hair.

*Do exfoliate the day after a shave, unless you shave every day.

*Try this. It works well for me, in conjunction with the above.

These are a start. You will get there in the end, it's just a case of finding what works for your skin.