We’ve all been there: You just finished giving yourself a smooth shave, and suddenly you’re left with red bumps and irritation. Frustrating to a tee, razor bumps actually have two separate definitions. As dermatologist Dr. Elyse Love told Harper’s Bazaar, “The term ‘razor bump’ is used to describe two conditions. One is skin irritation that can occur with shaving,” while the other is due to “ingrown hairs that may or may not be visible.” While bumpy, red irritation is usually caused by dull razors and going without shaving cream, ingrown hairs can appear for no reason at all, defined by a hair curling inward and becoming trapped (via Medical News Today). Luckily, whatever your case, there are tons of home remedies to get you to even, bump-free skin in no time at all.
One home remedy for razor bumps is apple cider vinegar, a benefits-rich powerhouse that works as an anti-inflammatory and antiseptic for irritated skin (via Byrdie). Combine equal parts of the vinegar with water, applying the mixture to your skin with a cotton ball. Extra points if you cool skin off with an ice-cold, soaked black tea bag for 10 minutes afterward. If you want to slough off dead skin cells for faster turnover, a papaya scrub might do the trick. As per Skin Beauty, blend papaya, uncooked oatmeal, and yogurt for a gentle exfoliant that helps inflammation. When in doubt, go for aloe vera: Use the plant or an aloe-based gel on skin for a calming effect.
Best home remedies for razor bumps
According to Byrdie, another scrub option for razor bumps is sweet enough to eat: Just mix four tablespoons coconut oil, one tablespoon honey, two tablespoons brown sugar, and two tablespoons white sugar, rubbing into skin and letting it sit for 10 minutes. The oil is a natural softener, the honey is an antibacterial, and the sugar will gently exfoliate dead skin. Another option is to place a warm compress on skin and wait it out, letting ingrown hairs slowly make their way out and calming irritated skin. Similarly, brushing the area with a skincare brush every day will draw out bumps and prevent new ones from forming (via Medical News Today).
A great home remedy for razor bumps is tea tree oil, a natural antiseptic that soothes and heals skin (via Hello Glow). For this technique, just dab the oil on the area and watch redness disappear. A relaxing option is to just take a warm bath. As per Byrdie, an epsom salt bath will “relieve swelling,” while an oatmeal bath will calm skin, reduce itchiness, and enhance softness. Prefer fun DIYs? Try mixing anti-inflammatory and exfoliating strawberries with soothing sour cream, letting the blend sit on skin for 15 to 20 minutes. Another option is to blend one cooling cucumber and one fourth cup of calming milk, applying it to skin for 10 minutes. Whatever option you go for, these natural home remedies will get you smooth skin quickly, and prevent bumps in the future.
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