Have you been wondering how to get rid of razor bumps? This common condition, also known as pseudofolliculitis barbae, affects nearly everyone who shaves at some point in their lives. Here’s what you need to know to avoid this irritating issue.

What Causes Razor Bumps?

Razor bumps develop when shaved hairs curl back inward, causing irritation in the follicle. These ingrown hairs are often red, hyperpigmented and tender, sometimes forming in large clusters as razor rash or razor burn. Razor bumps can develop anywhere you shave but are more common in areas where coarse hair grows in irregular directions, like the face, underarms, or pubic area.

Black men who shave their facial hair are at higher risk of razor bumps than other ethnicities due to their curly and kinky hair type which is more likely to curl back into the skin.  Among African American men up to 60% struggle with pseudofolliculitis barbae. This can be doubly troublesome as the same population is also at a higher risk of keloid scarring.

Keeping a beard is one of the best ways to avoid razor bumps.  When that is not an option shaving after a shower and in the direction of hair growth can reduce your risk of razor bumps. You should also regularly clean your razor and replace disposable razors weekly to avoid bacterial skin infections.

What Gets Rid of Razor Bumps Fast?

If you have razor bumps that you want to soothe quickly, there are a few tips that can help:

• Use an aftershave product to prevent and clear razor bumps.
• Moisturize with a fragrance-free product containing soothing ingredients like colloidal oatmeal, ceramides, aloe, or shea butter.
• Apply a cold compress to bring down redness and irritation.
• Don’t remove ingrown hairs with tweezers, as this can introduce bacteria to the follicle.
• Use a glycolic or salicylic acid product to chemically exfoliate the area.

If you still struggle with chronic razor bumps, a dermatologist may prescribe a medication such as benzoly peroxide, a topic steroids, an antibiotic or topical retinoid to treat inflamed bumps. Chemical peels are also helpful for this problem.  Laser hair removal can also prevent ingrown hairs and save you the time you would have spent shaving.

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Get Razor Bump Treatment in Manhattan, New York

If home treatments for razor bumps aren’t working, it’s time to visit a board-certified dermatologist like Dr. Dina Strachan at Aglow Dermatology. As a medical and cosmetic dermatology expert and a skin of color dermatologist, she can provide an appropriate treatment plan to help you ditch the bumps for smoother skin. Call 212-627-1004 x 1 to book your appointment at her Murray Hill, NYC practice.

Read next: Chemical peels for men