Thread: Bumps appearing after a few days of shaving?

I get these bumps, not ingrown hairs just red bumps, that appear after a few consecutive days of shaving at the corners of my mouth down to my jaw-line.

I've tried everything, used a light touch, changed soaps, even directions.

They don't remain raised after I shave, but if I stretch my skin they reappear.

No, I can't grow a VanDyke, it's a job thing.

Anyone else have this or know what to do?

Thanks,
Randy

Try using an alum block after you shave.

Did this cure a problem you've had? Just curious.

Hey Randy,

Sounds familiar! This is a recurring problem for me as well, but often it DOES end up being an ingrown. Something I'm trying is using an alcohol-based AS (and plenty of it) to kill any bacteria that may get into freshly shaved skin and/or nicks. This seems to help me quite a bit. I've also been using some tea tree oil on them, which seems to speed up their healing or at least doesn't hurt any. As always YMMV. I know PREVENTION is the big challenge, and I'm still working on that. I've recently started using a straight (Dovo Tortoise) which seems promising, and skipping a day or two (or more if I can!) between shaves as well till I heal up. If I'm using my Merkur HD, I need to resist the urge to do an ATG pass on my neck and things usually are OK then. Good Luck and keep us posted!

Originally Posted by mischievous

Did this cure a problem you've had? Just curious.

I don't get bumps but other who do (incl. my girlfriend) say that alum is magic for preventing bumps.

Thanks to you both!

When I use my DE they seem to clear up so I guess I'm getting closer with my straight.

I'll use my Alum block because I do use an Alcohol based aftershave.

As a recovering electric user, I could see the ingrown hairs when they happened, so that's my baseline experience. Clearly ingrowns caused by straights can take on a different form altogether.


Randy

I had to update, and I'm sure the more experienced here will say I told you so, but that's O.K..

I went into the Shave Den to look closer at the bumps now that my beard has had some time to grow and what'll you know, very light colored ingrown hairs!

I'll be using the Alum bar for a while to see if that works, and if not, on something else.

At least I have visible proof.

Thanks again for the help fellas!

Randy

Originally Posted by mischievous

I get these bumps, not ingrown hairs just red bumps, that appear after a few consecutive days of shaving at the corners of my mouth down to my jaw-line.

I've tried everything, used a light touch, changed soaps, even directions.

They don't remain raised after I shave, but if I stretch my skin they reappear.

No, I can't grow a VanDyke, it's a job thing.

Anyone else have this or know what to do?

OK, this might be a bit long, but there are some things that you can try.

First off, you can increase the number of days between shaves. If I shave once every three or four days, I don't get them. Every other day or (God forbid!) every day, then I am almost guaranteed to get them.

You can also try stretching the skin more whilst shaving over those areas. I think as has been suggested in this thread, only give it one pass which should be WTG. Some men simply cannot do AGT passes (I'm one of them) - if I do, I'll end up with bumps, redness and ingrown hairs all over!!

One product that I find helps is Trumper's Skin Food. It's very good for treating skin that is affected by ingrown hairs or redness. I use it both as a post-shave balm and a pre-shave conditioner for extra glide.

One last point that I will make - and I'm still experimenting with - is this: the night before you shave, use a facial scrub. My current favourite is L' Occitane's Juniper Bark Scrub. You can then follow with your usual moisturiser or use the classic Nivea crème product. I find that this is very moisturising. Ingrown hairs and redness are caused by a combination of curly hair and dry skin. If you have an alternative moisturiser that works well for you it may be better to use that. In my case, I have not settled on a moisturiser yet, but the Nivea crème does the job well, so I may use that for before shaving from now on.

Good luck and let us know how you get on!

Thanks rum!
I'll use the Trumpers Skin Food again, and I'll take your advice on the WTG pass only.

Sometimes my schedule only allows a day off between 10 or 13 days on. So I have to shave for several days consecutively and I have a fast growing beard! This calls for others options.

Salicylic acid, i.e. dandruff remedy, can be used to treat ingrown hairs, so I might break that out again.

I'll get my hands on a facial scrub too.

Thanks for all your advice!
Randy

One thing that I dont think has been mentioned but has certainly been of great use to me is to take greater care over the angle with which you shave. Bumps are often created when the angle you shave with is too high.

If the angle of shaving is to low, you do not cut the hair. Consequently many people err on the side of caution and use a higher angle to shave. but using an angle greater than 30 degrees actually cuts INTO the skin. As you push the blade across your face the pressure also creates a bump of skin which 'leads' in front of the razor edge. The harder you press, the bigger the bump. Eventually you end up cutting into this 'leading bump', causing a nick in your skin.

I'm talking at a very small level here, but the long and short of it is this: Take care to get the correct angle with your blade, and dont put too much pressure on it while you shave. Two light passes can be as effective and better for your skin than one heavy pass.

Good luck and keep us informed.



Sandy