How to Prevent Razor Bumps and Ingrown Hairs

Razor bumps (pseudofolliculitis barbae) show up on the neck and under the chin, and they’re most common on coarse or curly hair. They are caused by technique and equipment, and both can be fixed.

What causes them

When a coarse hair is cut very short, its curl can send the tip back into the skin as it grows. The body treats it like a splinter, and you get redness, swelling, and sometimes pus.

1. Skip the multi-blade cartridge

Cartridge razors can tug the hair and cut it below the skin line. A single-blade safety razor, or a straight razor in a barber’s hands, cuts it closer to the surface and pulls less.

2. Mind the grain

Neck hair grows in different directions, so shaving against it causes irritation.

• Look at which way your neck hair points.
• Make your first pass with the grain.
• For a closer shave, go across the grain. Don’t go straight against it.

3. Soften the hair first

Don’t shave dry skin. Shave right after a hot shower, or hold a warm, wet washcloth on your neck for a couple of minutes first. This is why barbers start with a hot towel.

4. Use pre-shave oil

A few drops of a light oil such as jojoba or argan lets the blade glide and keeps the lather from drying out.

5. Aftercare

• Rinse with cold water.
• Skip alcohol-heavy aftershave. A witch hazel toner or an alcohol-free balm is gentler.
• If you already have ingrown hairs, a salicylic acid serum can help clear them.

Let us do it

If your neck is already irritated, you can get a shave at the shop. Walk in any day. It starts with a hot towel on the face. Tell your barber about your skin and they’ll adjust. Persistent or painful bumps are worth showing a doctor.