Thread: very small red bumps on top of head

I've been head shaving for couple months now and have only used a str8 except for the first few times I used a cartridge in order to get the hang of it, and I have been noticing these very small red bumps on my head (mid-head to forehead). I am naturally going bald and the top of my head has always been oily. They don't hurt or feel irritated they just don't look appealing. I use Queen Charlotte cream, AoS Soap, was using Noxema post shave balm but am going to Nivea (It feels better), and my body wash tends to dry my skin. Any ideas or questions? Idk if these are razor bumps, but hopefully someone can give a little insite

Not too sure what they are I'm afraid. I will occasionally get some red spots in a similar place, but they are usually little pimple-y things and are not there on a regular basis. If you are anything like me your head sweats a lot in that area and they could be related to that.

Have you tried using something like witch hazel immediately post-shave? And do you wear sun protection? I've noticed some sunscreens can block pores, and wearing hats a lot can reduce air flow.

Good luck, I hope they clear up.

James.

Originally Posted by Jimbo

Not too sure what they are I'm afraid. I will occasionally get some red spots in a similar place, but they are usually little pimple-y things and are not there on a regular basis. If you are anything like me your head sweats a lot in that area and they could be related to that.

Have you tried using something like witch hazel immediately post-shave? And do you wear sun protection? I've noticed some sunscreens can block pores, and wearing hats a lot can reduce air flow.

Good luck, I hope they clear up.

James.

I just bought a bottle of witch hazel but haven't gotten to try it out till next shave. However mostly I've been trying post-shave balms, so I have been wondering if maybe I've been adding too much moisture up there, but idk. At the moment we are in the winter here in the states and I do wear a toboggan/beanie most of the time when I'm outside for an extended period of time. So I guess I might try to change one thing at a time to see what it could be from. At least it really isn't very noticeable or irritating. My razor doesn't even nick them, so that is a plus.

That is a really tough question for anybody to answer with any amount of confidence.
It could be a lot of things and the only reason I'm putting my 2 cents forward is that I just had an experience that relates somewhat.
In my quest for sharpness I had managed to hone the edge so sharp it I think it took off more than just hair.
Man it was very uncomfortable.
But because it was cutting hair so well I continued two full passes.
It definitely wasn't the smooth shave I am used to and shortly after applying my shave balm my face broke out.
It was screaming "what did you do to me?"
My mentor RezDog explained that too sharp can leave a rough edge that can cause a problem similar to yours.
Too sharp or too dull, watch out!

Originally Posted by Raol

My mentor RezDog explained that too sharp can leave a rough edge that can cause a problem similar to yours.
Too sharp or too dull, watch out!

Just semantics to some but a razor honed to the point of the edge microchipping is not "too sharp" it is "damaged".

Originally Posted by onimaru55

Just semantics to some but a razor honed to the point of the edge microchipping is not "too sharp" it is "damaged".

Yes, he used the term "a micro serrated edge"

long time head shaver here, those bumps are normal for me but i have found alum dang neer gets rid of them. which hazle would work also i suppose

Originally Posted by rlmnshvstr8

I just bought a bottle of witch hazel but haven't gotten to try it out till next shave. However mostly I've been trying post-shave balms, so I have been wondering if maybe I've been adding too much moisture up there, but idk. At the moment we are in the winter here in the states and I do wear a toboggan/beanie most of the time when I'm outside for an extended period of time. So I guess I might try to change one thing at a time to see what it could be from. At least it really isn't very noticeable or irritating. My razor doesn't even nick them, so that is a plus.

Don't be afraid to use the witch hazel everyday.

Originally Posted by rlmnshvstr8

I've been head shaving for couple months now and have only used a str8 except for the first few times I used a cartridge in order to get the hang of it, and I have been noticing these very small red bumps on my head (mid-head to forehead). I am naturally going bald and the top of my head has always been oily. They don't hurt or feel irritated they just don't look appealing. I use Queen Charlotte cream, AoS Soap, was using Noxema post shave balm but am going to Nivea (It feels better), and my body wash tends to dry my skin. Any ideas or questions? Idk if these are razor bumps, but hopefully someone can give a little insite

I kinda hate to diagnose from a photo, but I do have some meager experience with dermatological maladies (I so say humbly). What you have looks to me to be a classic case of "barber's itch". It is a fungal infection that occurs when the conditions are prime, like after shaving on the face or elsewhere and the fungus or its spores are present. The species is tricosporum, which is commonly found on human skin but usually does not cause infection unless the skin is irritated (like shaving). If I am right, I would suggest that you pick up some miconazole or chlortrimazole cream at your neighborhood pharmacy. You'll find various brands in the athletes foot section, or in the section that has remedies for "jock itch". Incidentally, jock itch is usually caused by the same fungus species, usually in the summer, in areas that are moist and irritated by clothes or underwear rubbing against the skin and causing irritation. If i am right, you should see improvement within a few days of applying the cream several times daily and at bedtime. If I am wrong, I apologize for doing what one should never do, and that is diagnose only from a photograph, but I'm fairly certain of what's causing your skin condition.

Thanks for the info. I just recently started "breaking out" with bumps around the corners of my mouth. I quit shaving that area and grew my goatee back I liked having a smooth upper lip and BBS gets positive reaction from her, instead of irritation) It's been about a month. Then I noticed that my head was breaking out. I'm suspecting the change in soaps. I went from Col Conk glycerin to C&E Nomad, (i don't know the base for this soap). Now I need to go back and see if that will make any changes but now I have another possible answer.
Will the condition you described go away by itself if I'm not shaving? I miss my smooth dome........ and want to get back to shaving!
thanks,
G