How to Get Rid of Razor Bumps Under the Arms
Getting rid of razor bumps on your underarms is a two-part process. You will need to treat the existing razor bumps as well as change some of your shaving habits to prevent more of them. Razor bumps are caused by re-growth of the shaved hair catching on the skin when it tries to break the surface or from irritation of the skin from the razor itself. Change your shaving habits and within a few days you should be able to don your favorite sleeveless top or dress without unsightly razor bumps. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Warm compress
- Soothing anti-itch cream or gel
- Post-depilatory treatment
- Washcloth
- Loofah gloves (optional)
- Single-blade personal razor
- Shaving cream with glycolic acid
Instructions
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Apply a warm damp compress to your irritated underarms to help relieve discomfort. This can be repeated as often as needed for relief of existing razor bumps.
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Dab Aloe Vera gel or Hydro-cortisone cream to underarm area. This is soothing since razor bumps are usually accompanied by itchiness.
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Wear loose-fitting clothing to allow the irritated skin to breathe and prevent further irritation from chafing caused by tight clothing.
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Use a post-depilatory treatment designed to treat razor bumps. Two popular brands are TendSkin and Prince Reins. These products usually have salicylic acid or glycolic acid to help exfoliate the irritated area. Use them until your underarms are clear of razor bumps and then use after each time you shave to prevent future irritation.
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Exfoliate the area thoroughly once the irritation has subsided. Use a clean washcloth or clean loofah gloves to exfoliate your underarms thoroughly every time you shower. Allow your skin to soften for a few minutes when you get in the shower before you exfoliate. Getting rid of dead-skin buildup will allow the shaved hairs to reach the surface of your skin more easily without getting stuck.
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Shave your underarms with a new, single-bladed razor. Many popular razor blades have four or five blades, which offer a closer shave by lifting the hair up while shaving. Unfortunately, after cutting the hair that closely, the hair is so short that it sits just under the surface of the skin. Follicles can clog or become irritated or infected, all of which can prevent the hair from reaching the surface of the skin without obstacle.
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Shave in the direction of hair growth. The shave will not feel as smooth, but you will also not suffer from razor bumps since the hairs will be cut flush with the skin but not so short that they sit beneath the surface.
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Use a shaving cream with glycolic acid which will help soften the hair and skin and prevent razor burn. Always shave with shaving cream to prevent irritation caused by using a blade directly on your skin.
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References
- Photo Credit shaving tools image by rafalwit from Fotolia.com
