How to Treat Razor Bumps on the Legs
Razor bumps on your legs are unattractive and can be painful. The areas around your upper legs and bikini line are especially prone to razor bumps. Also known as pseudofolliculitis barbae, razor bumps occur after shaving your hair. Shaving sharpens the ends of your hair, making it easier for the hair to grow back into the skin upon curling. Red, inflamed blemishes appear that may lead to scarring if not treated correctly. There are various methods to treat razor bumps, most of which can be applied right at home. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Oatmeal bath powder
- Alcohol
- Needle
- Tweezers
- Vitamin C
- Hydrocortisone or tretinoin cream
- Cotton balls
- Apple cider vinegar
- 2 aspirin
- Water
- 3 drops glycerin
Instructions
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Soak in an oatmeal bath. Purchase oatmeal bath powder at your local bath and body store. Dissolve it under warm, running bathwater and sit in the tub for up to 20 minutes. Oatmeal will soothe the irritated area and reduce the itchiness that comes with razor bumps.
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Disinfect a needle or tweezers with alcohol and use it to release the embedded hair from your skin.
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Take a vitamin C supplement or consume foods rich in vitamin C such as orange juice and tomatoes. You also may try applying a lotion containing vitamin C to counteract the burn from razor bumps.
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Dip a cotton ball in apple cider vinegar and dab it on the affected area. Allow it to air dry. Apple cider vinegar has antiseptic properties and helps treat razor bumps.
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Crush two aspirin and mix them with enough warm water so a paste-like consistency forms. Add three drops of glycerin and blend the ingredients. Use a cotton ball to apply the paste to your razor bumps to heal and soothe them.
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Apply antibiotic, hydrocortisone or tretinoin cream to your irritated skin if your razor bumps are severe and home remedies don't seem to work.
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Tips & Warnings
Avoid razor bumps by taking a shower before shaving so your pores are open, allowing for easier hair removal. Use a new, triple-blade razor and a thick shaving cream. Shave against the hair growth while applying light pressure.
Resort to other hair-removal methods if you always get razor bumps. Use an electric razor instead of a manual one. Wax your legs or use a depilatory cream. Consider having laser hair removal treatments, which remove the hair on your legs completely by destroying the hair follicle.
Avoid scratching and scrubbing your razor bumps to prevent scarring and refrain from shaving while you have razor bumps, as this can lead to more irritation.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Pixland/Getty Images
