Nothing is more annoying than putting in all the time and effort to shave just to get those awful razor bumps the next day. Especially if you have an event coming up or if you're on vacation. Not to mention, the bumps can be itchy or uncomfortable, and they just don't look great. Although it may seem near impossible to avoid, there are ways to prevent these dreadful bumps.
What Exactly Are Razor Bumps?
Razor bumps happen when your shaved hair curls back on itself, and grows into your skin, becoming ingrown. When you shave, you take off the uppermost layer of your skin, which can create microscopic cuts. Then, as the new skin grows over these micro injuries, the ingrown hairs get trapped under this new skin, which is what causes those irritated red bumps to form. Luckily, there are things you can do before and during shaving to prevent this from happening.
Your Razor
The first, and very important, measure you should be taking is making sure you have a good razor. For one, make sure the blades on your razor are clean. You will know it's time to change your blade when it gets difficult to shave, or when your hair is getting stuck on the blade. Shaving with a dirty razor will make it harder to shave, and will irritate the skin. In addition to making sure you are using a clean razor, you should also be using a razor with 3 blades or more. If your razor has 3 or more blades, it will glide easier across your skin, allowing a closer shave with fewer passes, which will help stop skin irritation. So when shopping for your next razor, be sure to take note of the amount of blades the razor has.
Exfoliating/Hydrating
There are a couple things you can do before shaving to help prepare your skin. The first is hydrating. This will help keep moisture in your skin while you shave, in turn helping to prevent razor bumps. To hydrate your skin, just soak the area you are going to shave in warm water for about 3-5 minutes, and then you will be ready for exfoliation. Exfoliating, the next step you should take, will prevent razor bumps by removing the dead skin that you can't see. To exfoliate, you can use a gentle exfoliator, or you can just wash the area you are shaving with soap and your loofah/sponge. Then, you can apply your shaving gel.
Shaving Direction
Contrary to popular belief, you should actually shave in the direction your hair grows first, instead of against it. You can go back in the opposite direction afterwards if you feel the need to do so, but shaving in the direction of your hair growth first will soften your hair and make it an appropriate length. If your hair is too long while shaving against the grain, it can be too harsh on your skin. However, you should take into consideration that if you have sensitive skin, shaving against the grain can still cause irritation, even when the hairs are shorter. If you notice your skin is still getting irritated after shaving with the grain and then against the grain, it may be more suitable for you if you avoid shaving the opposite way all together, and only shave in the direction of hair growth.
If you follow these tips and tricks, you should be getting back to vacation with smooth and clear legs in no time!