Introduction: How to Prevent Ingrown Hairs, Razor Bumps, and Razor Burn

By More about the Wizker Man
About: Before becoming the Wizker Man, Tai was born and raised in NYC where he studied art and design. Since he began shaving, preventing bumps using harsh chemicals and other tools was impossible. So in 2014, he use…

Ingrown Hairs occur when newly shorn hairs are cut or removed in a way that the hair grows beneath the skin's surface. As it continues to grow under the skin, a bump will appear as a sign of injury.

Step 1: How to Prevent Ingrown Hairs?

• Eliminate improper shaving techniques.

• The following shaving techniques/practices are BAD: shaving upwards against the grain, shaving with too much pressure, shaving with a dull or frequently used blade, or shaving too frequently)

• To prevent IH, shave with the direction of hair growth (usually downwards). Hair growth direction vary across the face and body so double check to be sure.

• Use a new, single or at most, double blade razor.

• Use very light pressure, being careful never to pass more than 1-2 times.

• Moisturize the skin for 5-10 minutes with a hot shower or hot compress.

• Remove dead skin cells by exfoliating the area before shaving using a skin care brush for 1 minute, and exfoliate 1-2 times per day between shaves, preferably before bed, and in the shower the next morning.

Step 2: How to Treat Ingrown Hairs?

• If you already have an IH, wait for the IH to grow a bit before attempting to remove it. We know it hurts to have an IH growing under your skin but if the hair is too short, extricating the hair will prove difficult and you'll cause a lot mirco-tears in the skin trying to locate it.

• After it has grown some, carefully use a sterilized darning needle or sterilized pair of needle-nosed tweezers.

Step 3: 10 Reasons You Are Getting Ingrown Hairs

THE 10 COMMANDMENTS for PREVENTING RAZOR BUMPS and INGROWN HAIRS
1. THOU SHALT NOT USE DIRTY BLADES! Using a blade that's been used way too many times. Yes, this one may be obvious, but be sure to keep your used tools as clean as possible. Soap and rubbing alcohol will destroy bacteria. Pro Tip: even brand new blades need to be cleaned.

2. HONOR THY DELICATE SKIN! Too many blades! If you are prone to ingrown hairs then you don’t need 3 or more blades. More blades equal more passes causing the hair to fall beneath the skin and become ingrown plus more blading the skin leads to micro cuts through which bacteria is more likely to enter and this leads to razor burn.

3. DO NOT TAKE PREP TIME IN VAIN! You should be using a warm/hot water prep (3-5 mins). Then leave the shaving cream on for more than 2-3 minutes to really soften the hair. The hair stubble should literally fall away with little or no pressure at all. Pressing hard is the problem! Be gentle ya'll.

4. THOU SHALT NOT GO AGAINST THE GRAIN! Shaving against the grain (upwards) may get you a closer shave but doing so also increases ingrowns. Shave in the direction of hair growth…it’s usually downwards. Check by doing a face/ body inspection to see which way your hair grows.

5. THOU SHALT NOT PRESS! Pressing too hard on the skin with the blade. A gliding, light touch is all you need. This is likely your biggest issue.

6. THOU SHALT NOT PASS, PASS, PASS! Too many quick passes with the blade. One pass per hairy area – going 1-2 inches downward at a time – will prevent ingrown hairs. Always shave like you might cause damage, not like your mowing the front yard lawn.

7. THOU SHALT NOT COMMIT OVER SHAVING! Shaving too many times. This rule is hard to follow, especially if you have to be beardless for your career…but if you are prone to ingrowns, try shaving with an electric clipper (the barber kind of clippers). The results are not super close but no one but you will know the difference. Ladies: try waxing, Nair, or an epilator provided your skin can handle these alternatives.

8. THOU SHALT NOT CLOG! Use of skin/pore clogging creams or lotions keep hairs from growing up. After a shave, keep your skin bare; let the tiny army breath, and allow those newly shaved, really small, microscopic hairs to grow out just in time for the next shave. If your objective is smooth, bump-free skin following a shave or wax then, right after, your goal should be to allow the skin to heal first. Promote healing by proper shaving techniques followed by 70% rubbing alcohol (this kills any bacteria that may enter those micro cuts created from the shave). Using a dab of TendSkin prevents the onset of razor burn. Sure your skin will be a little dry at first but this is a temporary tradeoff. Give it a few hours and let the moisturizing commence!

9. KEEP THY SMOOTH SKIN FREE! At least for the first day or two, try to avoid tight fitting clothing around the Adam’s apple (neck) and/or below the waistline region. Newly shaved hair follicles need room to raise up.

10. REMEMBER TO EXFOLIATE! Whether you shave, sugar, wax or epilate, not enough exfoliation to remove excess layers of skin can lead to ingrown hairs. There are two types: chemical exfoliation (AHA, BHAs) and physical exfoliation (beads, coffee scrubs, gloves, brushes). Use an ingrown hair brush for razor bumps as directed. Make sure it’s a brush that has gentle bristles designed to tease newly shaved hairs away from entering the skin before they can become ingrown. If you have sensitive skin, then go with the soft and firm bristles. The Wizker brush has both options. If you follow these 10 tips religiously, you’ll prevent razor bumps and ingrown hairs permanently!