My husband wanted me to ask this question.... He has a problem with razor bumps. He first started to shave....

Question

with just an electrical razor but recently changed to the gillette hand razor with the gillette shaving cream. I told him to stop using the cream, maybe that is what is adding to the irritation. He doesn't understand why one week he has less bumps and then the next he has alot. Are there any men out there that have a suggestion for clearing and maintaining razor bumps. My husband is african american but I know that most me have this problem.
Please help him. He thinks that proactive will work but isn't that for acne and razor bumps are not acne, right?

Answer 1

he can try switching to a gel for sensitive skin and only shaving in one direction

Answer 2

The bumps are in-grown hairs.

Some men are more prone to this then others, and I read somewhere that african american men tend to get it worse, perhaps because of the hair coarseness. I used to have more problems then I do now, though I'm a cracker!

Okay, first off, I've had less problems with a blade then an electric. Actually, I'm currently using a straight razor, which is a little better again, though you don't have to go that far!

The biggest thing is to ONLY SHAVE WITH THE GRAIN. Yeah, you can't get it perfectly smooth if you do that. But that's almost a good thing - if its not smooth, there's still very short hair protruding that will not get buried in the skin and form bumps.

You can get a cream called 'bump stop' (I think) that's supposed to help with ingrown hairs. I used it for a while, I don't remember noticing much differance, but I assume it works for some people.

Stick to shaving with the grain.

If it clears up, and he wants to shave closer, try shaving perpendicular to the grain. Really avoid going against it.

Hope it helps.

k.

Answer 3

This is a common problem and most men have encountered it one time or another.

The secret to a smooth shave is elementary; bristles softening, lubrication and moisturizing.


The first step your husband should do is to give ample time for a shave. A rushed shave is a sure cause to razor burn.

The second step is to soften the bristles. The best way to do that I found is to apply a skin moisturizer to the beard well before you start the shave, about 15 minutes. Apply an ample amount and gently work it into the beard.

The next step is to increase the moisturizing, by wetting the beard with plenty of hot water and preferably steam. I personally find that shaving in the shower does the trick. I step under the shower and do my cleansing routine leaving the shave to the end of my shower. While still in the shower, I apply a generous amount of a good shaving gel and I work it into the beard.

Now I start to shave. The best way to get a smooth shave is to first shave with the direction of the hair. Then I rinse my face, reapply another coat of the shaving gel and now I shave against the direction of the hair growth. This ensures minimum irritation to the skin. By the way, it is best to change the razor at least once a week.

When I am done, I stand under the shower and rinse my face and body first with warm water then I splash cold water on my face to close the pores.

After drying off I apply a good quality shaving balm.

I hope this routine works for your husband.

Answer 4

Razor bumps are absolutley not acne. They are caused by errant hairs, under the skin that are trying to get thru and are hindered by the irritated dermis. Proactive really will not work to get rid of this problem.

I would suggest allowing a little bit of hair to grow thru, before shaving immediatley. Also, gentle exfoliation, before shaving can bring some of these hairs to the surface and keep them from getting ingrown. Use Aveno exfoliation pads about an hour before shaving. Also, use calming creme after shaving.

Answer 5

Use aloe vera gel as a shaving cream. Its is an excellent lubericant and also soothes, moisurises and relives skin irritation. I have a similar problem on my legs and this really helps. Yes he should stop using the gillette cream and no proactive wont help! also if the razor has a moisurising strip he may be allergic to it.

Answer 6

Tell your husband to shave everyday, with an electric razor, even if it seems that he doesnt have to. Also try using Williams' Lectric Shave, or babypowder before shaving. The baby powder is really best, but there is alot of cleanup involved. Also once a week he needs to clean and sterilize the electric razor, it could be dificult depending on he type he has. But if it is the Norelco type then he would just follow the directions that came with the razor. I am a black man also, I finally figured it out through trial and error. Baby powder works best, before he showers, he has to wash his face, preferrably with warm water and witch hazel, then towel dry, then sprinkle baby powder into one hand and liberally apply to the area of his face that he wishes to shave, do not attempt to remove the excess, the baby powder will not only prevent razor burn, but it will also cling to the hard to clip hairs. After shaving simply jump into the shower to clean himself. Also tell your husband to stop using barsoap on his face, it overdries the skin. Nivea face wash for men is the best, they have it for sensitive skin as well. Good luck.

Answer 7

Right. Acne is NOT a razor bump. I just finished shaving like 10 mins ago. What he needs to do is buy Tea Tree Oil. Apply it every time after he shave and it will GREATLY reduce razor bumbs.

Answer 8

its not acne actually but the proactive might work, he needs to use a good brand of shave cream, the gel might be best, and he needs to use a new blade every day or two , then thats why men use aftershave, its full of alcohol, which kills any infection or most of it and seals the surface of the skin, there are razor irritation lotions on the market too that would be cheaper than proactive, you might try one of those first.

Answer 9

use Tend Skin on it - it prevents ingrowns and that sounds like what is causing the bumps - not acne. Anyone who shaves and finds they get ingrowns (for women - armpits, legs, etc.) this will work for them too.

Answer 10

Is it true that wheat germ oil with vitamin E (the capsule) smeared on , is good for dark spots on face, or discolorations on your face?