Razor bumps, the bane ofmen’s chin whenever they are freshly shaved. But what really are these pesky little bumps? Razor bumps, or scientifically known as pseudofolliculitis barbae, is actually ingrown hair. This occurs when a hair is cut off where it exits the skin, so it curls back and grows inwards. It can cause irritation and swells like an upcoming pimple, but in reality, it’s just your facial hair.

So, what can you do if you have these bumps? How can you prevent them from coming up every time? What are our best grooming tips? Here are 5 things that you can do so you can finally say goodbye to razor bumps.

Shave less often

The easiest way to go about it is to just let your facial hair grow for a bit. When the hairs are long enough, they will stop growing inward and eventually allow the swollen areas to heal.

Shave with the grain

They say that the best way to shave is to do it against your hair growth. However, if you are prone to having razor bumps, you can try doing it the other way so the hair won’t get curled and you can prevent it from becoming ingrown.

Exfoliate

If you are prone to razor bumps, try exfoliating first before shaving. This will help lift hair off your skin so that the razor catches it, giving you a much smoother shave. Exfoliating will also get rid of your dead skin cells and clear out your pores.

Use a serum

There are ointments and serums that can help you speed up the healing process. You can use an 8 percent glycolic acid solution or an antibiotic cream. You can also consult a dermatologist to help you with the bumps.

Use a clean, sharp razor when shaving

To avoid razor bumps and burns, make sure that your razor has a sharp and clean blade. This way, you’ll get a clean shave and you can make sure that the hair goes out of your face — and not the other way around.

Avoid picking the bumps

We know they’re annoying, but make sure to keep your hands to yourself and avoid picking them. It can only cause further problems like infection and might irritate your skin, making it harder to shave later on.

Don’t shave too close to your skin

Razor bumps are hairs trapped in your skin and usually caused by friction when shaving. So it is only wise to shave not too close to your skin to prevent them. Some say that it’s best to use an electric razor but there are also specific ones that are created just to avoid razor bumps (it’s called “Bump Fighter Razor”). Just make sure to give your skin some space before you go all out with your shaving routine.

Avoid using aftershave that has alcohol

We know that it’s already part of the routine, but if you are having issues with razor bumps, make sure that you skip alcohol-based aftershaves. The alcohol content will just increase your bump’s inflammation and can leave your skin dry and irritated.