How To Treat Razor Bumps Down There – And Prevent Them from Coming Back

With summer on the horizon, more of us are devoting a little extra attention to our grooming.

Whether because you’re feeling rusty or because you were never especially confident in your technique, shaving or waxing the pubic area can be an intimidating prospect. Razor bumps, also known as pseudofolliculitis, can crop up and spread quickly with the slightest irritation.

Razor bumps result from the inflammation of hair follicles due to ingrown hairs, which develop when hair grows into the skin instead of up and out. They’re different from razor burn, which presents as a rash, an area of discoloration, or a burning sensation. No bumps, though.

The pubic area can be prone to razor bumps because they’re more common in areas where the hair is coarse and abundant. On top of that, shaving or waxing can leave each hair with a sharp tip that can penetrate the skin and cause inflammation.

Now that we have a clearer idea of what we’re dealing with, let’s get into how we treat razor bumps.

How to treat razor bumps

It can take four to six weeks for razor bumps to subside on their own. There are ways, however, to ease the discomfort they can cause and speed up the healing process.

Let’s start with those you can try on your own. Because they have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, applying tea tree oil, witch hazel, or aloe has been found to help.

In instances where the ingrown hair is near the surface of the skin and visible, you may be able to remove the trapped hair by gently prodding it with a sterile needle or tweezers.

Using an exfoliant could remove the dead skin cells that may be plugging pores and trapping hairs. When taking this approach, it’s important to not scrub too vigorously, because this can have the opposite effect and worsen the irritation.

For more severe cases, you may need to see a board-certified dermatologist. They’ll have even stronger remedies at their disposal, including topical corticosteroids and oral antibiotics. Certain acne treatments, such as benzoyl peroxide and tretinoin, may help by reducing inflammation and removing dead skin cells. A dermatologist can help you determine which best suits your needs.

And how to keep them from returning

The surest way to prevent razor bumps from returning is by simply not shaving or waxing the area again. It needed to be said.

Option B: Using an electric shaver to trim the hair short is less likely to cause irritation or ingrown hairs than removing the hair entirely with a razor. Hair removal creams, or depilatories, which dissolve hair, are unlikely to cause razor bumps. But they contain chemicals that may irritate the skin. So try a patch test first.

If you prefer a razor, or waxing, the best thing you can do is prepare the skin prior to shaving or waxing. You can do this by following these steps:

• Cleanse and exfoliate
• Shave or wax after taking a shower or bath or placing a warm, wet towel over the area
• Use an appropriate shaving cream or gel or waxing product
• Use a fresh, sharp, and sterile razor
• Shave in the direction of the hair growth
• Rinse the razor often to prevent clogs and bacteria buildup
• Avoid using skincare products afterward that may irritate the skin
• But definitely apply a soothing moisturizer

(FYI: These steps also help prevent razor burn.)

You can follow all of these steps and still develop razor bumps. That’s because the pubic area is exposed to constant friction – from tight clothing, walking, and from sexual contact, for example.

The pubic area will be sensitive after shaving or waxing, meaning any irritation could cause discomfort and increase the likelihood of razor bumps. So wear breathable underwear and avoid exercising or having sex soon after.