From Razor Bumps to Irritation: Top Shaving Concerns & How to Address Them

Man or woman, anyone who’s ever shaved before can attest to the issues that can come along with this popular form of hair removal. The nicks and cuts and the dreaded razor bumps that may occur can be enough to cause men to just go ahead and grow out those beards and ladies to turn to other forms of hair removal. But, before swearing off shaving for good, know that there are ways to manage these top shaving concerns head on! To help you do just that we chatted with Mezei Jefferson, Director of Education at SoftSheen Carson, check out what he had to say below!

The Top Shaving Concerns for Men

When asked what the top concerns were for men when shaving, Jefferson listed his opinion of the two leading the pack: nicks during shaving and noticeable razor bumps and irritation. He goes on to clarify that for men with curly, course hair specifically visible razor bumps lead the pack for after-shave concerns, whereas for everyone else the main concern is that dreaded red-looking razor irritation. 

What Can Cause Razor Bumps and Shaving Irritation?

“Razor bumps can be caused by cutting off the length of the curly beard hair, which may result in the end of the hair follicle becoming blunt,” Jefferson shares. “As the hair grows back and retains its natural curl, the blunt end can be pushed back into the skin due to the shape of the hair.” He explains that this can irritate the skin which can lead to a visible bump as the surface skins tries to try to protect itself and push the hair back out. “[Razor bumps] can be unsightly and painful if not addressed,” he says.

Razor irritation, on the other hand, can be caused by applying too much pressure while shaving or from using a dull or dirty razor blade. “This creates a rug burn type effect on the skin,” Jefferson says.

How to Help Reduce the Chances of Razor Irritation and Razor Bumps While Shaving

Since razor bumps and razor irritation rank so high at the top of the shaving concerns list, finding out how to help avoid them is key if you don’t want to throw shaving out of the window!

To help reduce the likelihood of experiencing razor irritation and razor bumps, Jefferson suggests starting with a clean face and beard. “Clean the face and beard well with a product that helps to exfoliate in order to help remove any dead skin buildup from the skin’s surface,” he says. “Shaving should be the middle step in your skin care routine. You need to cleanse and exfoliate beforehand to help prep the skin for shaving.”

“During the shaving process, remember to rinse your razor blades often and shave in the direction of hair growth to help reduce the chance of cuts and nicks.” Finally, he recommends reaching for an after-shave product that’s formulated to help calm the surface skin down and replenish your skin with moisture. Also, Jefferson says to reach for a moisturizer formulated with sunscreen to help to protect any freshly-shaved areas from becoming darker due to sun exposure. “This is especially true for those with olive and darker skin tones,” he says, which have more melanin than fairer skin.

How to Help Reduce the Chances of Razor Bumps If You Have Curly Facial Hair

If you have curly facial hair, Jefferson recommends trying a depilatory like Magic Shave instead of shaving. Depilatory creams can help to leave the skin looking smooth and help reduce the chances of experiencing visible razor bumps because when the hair grows back it is usually tapered at the end, so it shouldn’t irritate the surface skin.

“For this process don’t cleanse the face before using the depilatory,” Jefferson explains. “Apply Magic Shave cream to the beard area, making sure that the hair is completely covered. Wait at least four minutes and wipe off the cream using a damp towel and medium pressure. Next, rinse your face with cool water and no soap and finally moisturize with an after-shave product.”