We know razor bumps are not cool and they can occur anywhere on your body wherever your shave including your pubic area.
However, by following a proper technique and some easy tips you can prevent razor bumps from occurring.
Here, we will outline what razor bumps are, why they occur and how can you prevent them from occurring in your private area.
Table of Contents
What Exactly are Razor Bumps?
In order to prevent razor bumps, you need to understand why these bumps appear in the first place.
When you use a razor or a blade on the skin around the pubic area, it may seem that it is removing the hair with ease. However, it is not the case as to make a cut, the razor has to pull the hair to the blade.
The hairs because of their innate flexibility snap back in the skin and begin to grow under it.
As the hair grows, it curls inside and causes an infection, around which the skin begins to swell. It is because of this inflammation; the razor bumps look like pimples filled with blood.
The Right Technique
Contrary to the general belief that facial skin is the most sensitive, it is, in fact, the skin around the pubic area and underarms that are more sensitive.
Therefore, while shaving these areas, you need to be a bit more attentive to avoid razor bumps and burns.
Here are some simple easy-to-follow steps on how to prevent razor bumps in private areas.
1. Trim the area
Hairs have a natural tendency to curl and longer the hair more flexibility and curl. Therefore, if you use a razor directly on the longer hair, the chances of it snapping back are higher, consequently leading to bumps.
To counter the problem, before shaving with a razor, use an electric trimmer to cut the size of the hair. Make the strokes up, down, left, right, and make sure every hair has been cut to its finest shape possible with the trimmer.
However, always remember to keep the area dry while you are trimming as water will tangle the hair. Therefore, you would not be able to trim the hair properly.
Now that hairs in the pubic areas are in their finest form, their flexibility has reduced. Therefore, the chances of them snapping back into the skin also decrease and consequently reduce the risk of bumps.
2. Wash The Area
Once you are done with trimming, wash the area to remove the debris of hair present in the surroundings.
Do not use shampoo or conditioner as they have formulas specialized for the scalp. The chemicals in them can damage the sensitive skin of the pubic area.
Use natural soap and if it is not available get it done by simply running water on the area.
3. Soak The Hairs
After washing the area thoroughly, soak the hairs to make them as soft as possible. You can run hot water over the hair or can use a warm towel on the area. Whatever method you utilize, the exposure of warm water to the hair should not be less than 10 minutes.
After ten minutes, you would feel softening of the hair. Thus, you would be able to cut these soft hairs easily than the rough and hard hairs.
4. Shave With A Razor
Once your hairs are in their finest and softest form, you can now use the razor to shave the area. However, a lot of thought should go into the choice of razor you are going to use in the process.
The ideal razor would have two to three shaving elements with strips containing a moisturizer to smoothen and hydrate the skin.
Do not go with razors that are too aggressive and have more than four shaving elements. These razors would shave easily and quickly, but the chances of nicks and cuts are higher with them. Therefore, choose a mediocre razor with adequate safety features when you are using it in the pubic area.
After the selection of the right razor, use foam or soap to moisturize the hairs and skin around them. Avoid products containing alcohol as it dries the skin. Lather up the moisturizer as needed and proceed to the next step.
There is a common myth that shaving against the grain is helpful in the pubic area. The myth is not supported by any evidence and the effects of shaving against the grains are usually contrary to that. It leads to itchiness, cuts, and bumps in most of the case which is why it should be avoided.
The right method is to shave with the grain which is usually downward in the pubic area. While you are at it, do not put excessive pressure on the razor as it will lead to cuts and nicks.
Remember, a little stubble with no irritation is always better than no stubble and patches of razor bumps.
5. Hydrate The Area
The skin needs hydration after exposure to blades and trimmers. To do so, wash the area thoroughly with water, preferably cold water. The cold water closes the pores of the skin which cuts down the risk of ingrowth of hairs.
Keep rinsing the area until the residue has been completely removed from the area.
You would be able to tell the difference by feeling the skin. If it is slippery; it needs further rinsing, however, if it is free of greasy texture, you can get yourself out of water.
If you have not produced any cuts or nicks in the area while shaving, it is better to avoid the aftershave lotions. In this way, the skin airs out and chaffing is minimum which helps in the healing of the skin.
However, if there are cuts, use the aftershave lotions to prevent the risks of infections and inflammations.
Tips On How to Prevent Razor Bumps On Private Area
Even after perfecting the technique, the risk of razor bumps is always there. However, there are a few tips that you can use to avoid razor bumps altogether. Now, it is up to you that how far you are willing to go to prevent those nasty pimple-like growths.
1. Do not shave if you already have razor bumps
Shaving the pubic area while it already has razor bumps can lead to even nasty razor bumps. These bumps increase the risks of cuts and nicks which ultimately lead to bad infections. Therefore, treat the previous bumps first before shaving the area again.
Never squeeze, scratch, or pick the razor bumps. Usually, the ingrown hair release on its own. However, if it is not the case, use a needle or a toothpick and lift the hair loop to release them.
Sometimes, hair hide under the skin, in these cases wait for them to push through.
2. Exfoliate Regularly
The performance of the razor gets affected by the dead skin, natural oils, and dirt over it. Therefore, it is necessary to exfoliate it. Make the exfoliation part of a regular shower routine as it reduces the chances of bumps to a great extent.
Sponging is the best method for exfoliation because it is gentle and effective. Rub the private area with a suitable sponge when you are in the shower.
Scrub the skin in a circular motion and do not apply much pressure on it.
3. Use of Natural Products
Chemicals in shampoos, conditioners, and other products that you use in the shower contain chemicals that can damage the skin.
The sensitive skin of the pubic area is mostly affected by these products which ultimately leads to problems like bumps.
If possible, try to avoid these chemicals and opt for natural products. A better understanding of the products that you are using on the body can reduce the production of bumps. Therefore, read the information on the label before applying it.
There are natural soaps available in the market that lather up like synthetic ones. These can serve as perfect alternatives to synthetic shampoos, conditioners, and other products.
4. Do Not Use Same Razor Over And Over
Another major reason behind razor bumps is the use of worn-out blades.
Therefore, discard the blades after every one to two shaves and use a new one for the next shave. The sharp blades have less tendency to produce razor bumps than the worn-out ones.
5. Try Natural Alternatives Of Aftershave products
A lot of brands claim to have designed a formula that can reduce the chances of razor bumps. However, these products can damage the skin in several other ways. Therefore, it is wise to avoid these products and go with the ones that are natural.
Aloe vera and coconut oil are the best alternatives to these products. These provide relief against minor burns and act as a barrier between skin and the environment. Therefore, no bacteria or foreign body is able to gain entry into the skin to cause infections.
Aloe vera also gives time to the skin to heal from the minor cuts. Coconut oil, on the other hand, increases hydration and incorporates antioxidants in the skin. Therefore, consequently, you decrease the risks of razor bumps.
6. Try Electric Shavers
Electric shavers are good alternatives to regular razors because of their better safety profile and other features. These shavers are not as aggressive as the razors, but they get the job done.
The decreased aggressiveness reduces the chances of nicks, cuts, and bumps.
In addition, most of the shavers are loaded with safety features that make them gentle on the skin. Therefore, people who have sensitive skin can opt for these shavers to reduce razor bumps.
These shavers might not provide you as close a shave as a conventional razor but they definitely reduce the risks associated with blades.
7. Try Waxing
Waxing tends to produce more bumps than the razor when you try it for the first time. However, if you want to prevent bumps for a long period of time, this might be a good option.
Waxing slows down hair growth which is why you would need to wax less often. Therefore, you would experience less ingrown hair in the long run. However, if you decide to go with waxing stick with it in order to get desired results.
8. Consider Laser Hair Removal
Laser hair removal is trending nowadays and for the right reasons. It reduces the chances of razor bumps and halts the growth of the hair in the area.
However, there is a misconception that once laser hair removal is done, the hair would never grow again. They definitely grow back, but it takes quite some time for them to regrow.
Conclusion
Razor bumps are nasty little structures which can cause a great deal of discomfort.
In order to avoid those, you need to follow the right technique and certain tips. These tips might seem a bit of a workout, but trust me they are worth it. You do not want to go through that irritation, burning sensation, and pain just because you forget to change the blades of the razors.
Make these tips part of your shower routine and you would see a significant reduction in the appearance of bumps.
This is all you need to know about how to prevent razor bumps in private areas. If there is anything else you want to know, let us know in the given section and we would love to respond.
