Razor bumps and ingrown hairs are a major problem for black people. This is because of the fact that their hair is very curly and so, the hair shaft is curved which means when it grows, it sometimes gets stuck under the skin, causing a bump that is sometimes painful. It is a commonly spoken issue among men as they shave their beards frequently and they have to deal with razor bumps. Black women, on the other hand seem not to talk about it as much….and it’s not because it is NOT problem among them.

When you have a close shave, the sharp end of the hair grows back into the skin and this is what causes the inflamed bump. Preventing this is the first step towards preventing razor bumps. With black women, the hair on their pubic area is particularly curly and course and so, razor bumps are most likely to appear there.

You will need to do the following to try and prevent razor bumps or ingrown hairs:

•  Ensure that the skin is warmed up before you begin shaving. This can easily be done during a warm bath or shower. It softens the hair and makes it less vulnerable to irritation during and after shaving.
•  Shave in the direction in which the hair is growing. This will discourage it to not grow under the skin and also ‘’train’’ it to eventually grow straight.
•  A safety razor or single bladed razor most suitable for preventing razor bumps. This is because the shave will not be too close to the skin and so, not cause the hair to grow inwards.
• Always use a new blade each time you shave. A previously used blade is not as sharp and will cause nicks and irritate your skin.
• Post-shaving skin care is another very crucial element of ensuring that razor bumps or ingrown hairs are prevented. Using products made for ingrown hair prevention and making sure that the newly shaved areas are properly moisturised is also an effective way of preventing ingrown hair or razor bumps.

However, if you already have ingrown hairs and want to gently and effectively get rid of them consider the following:

• Exfoliate the area with the ingrown hairs or razor bumps. This will gently prod the skin to allow the hair to come out of the skin. Digging or scratching the bump will hurt your skin, cause a scab and leave scar and dark discolouration.
• Acne medication that contains benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid can be applied several times a day to the areas with the ingrown hairs. It is an effective method because razor bumps are similar to pimples, especially when they also have pus. The acne cream will reduce inflammation and allow the hair to emerge from under the skin.
• If possible, you can also pluck out the hairs using tweezers. You can prod the hair out through gentle exfoliation and pull out the hair. However, you should make sure you do this gently and without hurting your skin around the hair follicle.
• You can also simply use products that are available for removing razor bumps. These can be very effective in bringing down the inflammation, smoothing out your skin and allowing the hair to get out of your skin.

Razor bumps are a real problem for black women and preventing them is very important. Obviously, the best way to prevent razor bums is to not shave, but very few women are going to choose that option. For the rest, being careful about the products you use while shaving as well as taking care of your skin before and after you have shaved will go a long way in having truly smooth shaves.

Article by Sharon Kariwo