Avoiding Razor Burn/Ingrown hairs??

boodles77 · 10-02-2002, 12:30 AM

Any suggestions? I really want to get rid of the horribly thick hair on my inner thighs, but I can't really afford to wax right now. And right now, whether waxing or shaving, I get horrible ugly red bumps and ingrown hairs. Makes me not want to shave or wax! But I'm horribly embarrassed to wear shorts.

Mathisk · 10-02-2002, 12:20 PM

Yes that and also I use an alpha hydroxy lotion right after and that helps minimize the red bumps.

one_winged_angel · 10-03-2002, 11:39 AM

What you need to to is get a Loofah sponge and scruff the area before shaving really well to get rid of any exfolliation. Use a good soap, like Goats milk soap, glycerine soap or Aveeno Oatmeal soap, just as long as it isn't over perfumed, too astringent or strong as this will cause bumps.

Option #1 Sweet Almond Oil is a very nice foundation under shaving cream which helps hydrate and smooth your skin surface.

Option #2 Dr. Palmer's Cocoa Butter Oil works very nice aswell.

I use Aveeno Oatmeal shaving cream, it is desined to alieviate bumps. Once you get bumps you just keep nicking them off the next time you shave...ouch.

Option #3 To get rid of really bad bumps get a mortar and pessel and crush up some Asparin as fine as you can and rub it into the area with wet hands, it will get rid of bumps immediately and you can safely shave. Use it regularly to prevent any bumps.

I wouldn't suggest Apha hydroxy after shaving it's like putting acid on a rash. It will irritate your skin to no end.

Nice soothing Aloe Vera Gel is much better

sweetnylaw · 10-03-2002, 12:38 PM

I always wondered what to do with the ingrown hairs/red bumps.....I am so glad you all have taken the time to post such helpful information.

One tip from me: I put Johnson's baby oil w/ aloe on before I put on shaving creme, helps the razor glide

Angela

diana24 · 10-04-2002, 04:59 AM

You gotta try BUMP STOP. Its a product that I believe is made for black men's beards. You can find it in the ethnic section of walmart or wherever. Anyhow, I USED to get these nasty huge red bumps. RIght after I shave, even before I moisterize I put a little on and after the next day's shower too. I never have had a problem since.

MadamHoney · 10-08-2002, 11:07 AM

There's a product called Tend Skin that you can buy, I would love to try it but it's only availble in America and costs a fortune mail order. It's supposed to be something of a miracle worker as far as in-grown hair's concerned.

boodles77 · 10-08-2002, 01:30 PM

I've tried tend skin, and it doesn't seem to work for me. Also, my hair grows in all different directions. When I could afford to wax, that's what the aesthetician told me. She told me that waxing would be a difficult task because of that.

I'm interested in trying bumpstop though.

One_winged... you have a lot of great points. I'll have to try some of them.

Thanks, ladies!

Olympia · 10-20-2002, 04:40 PM

I have been shaving my face daily for about 7 years now. I have very sensitive skin but have found a routine that works well for me. I've been able to keep razor burn, irritated skin, ingrown hairs, and inflammation at bay with this routine.

I'm African American and have kinky/coily hair so ingrown hairs can be a problem. I check for ingrown hairs nightly (after washing my face) and when I see one, I'll use a small safety pin to gently pull the hair embedded from the skin. Leaving it in only makes it worse b/c it keeps growing into the skin gets inflamed. Sometimes I tweeze the hair out, and sometiems I leave it there b/c I know it'll get shaved off the next morning. Afterwards, I apply witch hazel (a mild astringent....I've heard rosewater is a good mild astringent also) with a cotton ball.

My daily "shaving face"

routine goes like this:

1. clean face (usually with a mixture of oatmeal & water)
2. apply oil to area to be shaved (I'm using calendula infused oil and sometimes olive oil)
3. apply shaving cream
4. Shave in direction of hair growth and not more than 2X over the same area. I use a double blade razor. Single blades don't get close enough and triple blades (like the Venus razor) irritate my skin and nick me too often
5. Rinse with cool water and apply witch hazel (or any other mild astringent)
6. moisturize

Years of shaving have left scars on my face so I use makeup to cover the blemishes. I use a liquid foundation to cover my "beard" area, and when it dries, I apply a creme foundation (Thank GOD for Fashion Fair cosmetics!!!!!) and powder to set. And voila! Smooth, even toned complexion. And ready to face the world. I've gotten many compliments on how beautiful my skin is and how I don't need the makeup. I love those compliments b/c it obviously means that I'm doing a great job of keeping my *secret* and skin in order. What a relief! Right now, I'm applying 100% pure cocoa butter to my blemishes to see if it'll clear up a bit. Crossing my fingers

.

Before, whenever my skin was inflamed due to ingrown hairs or plucking, I would used a commercial razor bump product like.....I forget the name but it's by Black Opal. Someone mentioned Bump Stopper- I've heard that's good. Both products can be found in the shaving 'accessories' area of the store or in the ethnic section. I've noticed that products with eucalyptus or camphor have been excellent at eliminating inflammation. Now, when I need to treat inflamed skin, I use a mixture of olive oil and essential oil of camphor (white camphor, not the other ones). I apply it to my beard area at night (after I've cleaned my face and applied witch hazel) and by morning the inflammation is gone. It's worked wonders!!!

I try to exfoliate once a week, which also helps with ingrown hairs. I tried doing it everday, but my skin just couldn't take it. For that I use a commercial exfoliater by Freeman cosmetics.

Hope this helps someone.

One day, my beard and overgrown sideburns will be gone and I'll feel like myself again. Take care all.

boodles77 · 10-21-2002, 12:49 PM

Sounds like you have a foolproof plan, Olympia. Good for you!
And thanks for the pointers!