5 ways to get rid of razor bumps and how to avoid them in the future

• You can get rid of razor bumps by applying aloe, tea tree oil, or steroid cream.
• You can also apply a cold compress to the area to bring down the swelling and soothe the skin.
• If your razor bumps are particularly stubborn, try using a chemical exfoliant like salicylic acid.

Many of us have had them at some point - small, painful red bumps that pop up on your skin after shaving.

Razor bumps are usually caused by ingrown hairs, when a buildup of dead skin cells clogs a hair follicle. When this happens, your skin can become inflamed, causing redness, swelling, pain, and itchy bumps.

If you're struggling with razor bumps, there are several ways to heal the ones you have and prevent more in the future.

1. Try aloe vera

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Gels and creams containing aloe vera can help reduce the swelling and redness and soothe the damaged skin from razor bumps, says Debra Jaliman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist with a private practice.

Aloe vera also has antibacterial properties, which may help prevent ingrown hairs from getting infected and turning into more severe razor bumps.

2. Use tea tree oil

Another natural remedy for razor bumps is tea tree oil, Jaliman says. Studies show that tea tree oil can reduce the amount of inflammatory white blood cells in your skin and treat skin infections.

Tea tree oil also has antibacterial and antiviral benefits to get rid of any harmful microbes that could cause infection and further irritation.

Tea tree oil is generally safe, but if it irritates your skin, try diluting it with equal parts tea tree oil and olive oil.

3. Make a cold compress

"A cold compress will take down any swelling and will soothe the skin," Jaliman says.

To make a cold compress, soak a washcloth with cold water and press it gently into the area of skin with razor bumps. You can keep the compress on until it's no longer cold and repeat as needed.

4. Try a steroid cream

If natural remedies aren't working for you, try an over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream to reduce redness and swelling. This can help improve the appearance of razor bumps and calm pain or itchiness in irritated skin.

You can find these creams at any pharmacy. "Just don't do it daily as it can thin the skin," Jaliman says.

5. Use an exfoliant

"If you have stubborn razor bumps, you can try using a chemical exfoliant or retinol to break down the skin cells above the hair and help it grow out," Engleman says.

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Look for over-the-counter products containing salicylic acid or glycolic acid, which will exfoliate the skin allowing hair to grow normally and relieve irritation from any ingrown hairs.

How to prevent razor bumps

To prevent razor bumps from happening, Engleman recommends adding a few steps to your normal shave routine:

1. First exfoliate gently with a wet washcloth, loofah, or chemical exfoliant.
2. After exfoliating, wet your skin with warm water to open the hair follicles.
3. Apply a good shave gel.
4. Make sure your razor is very sharp, and shave in the direction that your hair grows using short, deliberate strokes. "Shaving in many different directions increases the chance of razor bumps because the angle at which the hair was shaved can cause it to grow back into the skin," Engleman says.
5. After shaving, apply a cool washcloth to your skin to help soothe any irritation.

If you continue to get bumps, you may want to consider a different method of hair removal. For example, depilatories - creams or lotions that remove unwanted hair - lessen the chance of ingrown hairs, Engleman says.

You can also see a dermatologist for help. Your doctor can offer more permanent hair removal options like electrolysis or laser hair removal.

Insider's takeaway

There are several remedies you can use at home to help calm inflamed skin and shrink razor bumps.

Moreover, once you've gotten rid of those pesky bumps you can take measures to prevent them all together next time with just a few simple additions to your shaving routine.

In the end: "If you are really struggling with razor bumps and nothing seems to work, I recommend seeing a dermatologist," Engleman says.

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