How Long Do Razor Bumps Last?

Razor bumps can last up to three months, but this depends on how prone you are to getting them and whether or not you shave regularly. For some people, they take a long time to go away and can come back quickly. With the right steps, however, you can get rid of razor bumps and keep them from returning.

Razor bumps are small, inflamed bumps around the hair follicles. They occur on the face and other areas you regularly shave. Razor bumps happen when the cut hair curls backward and grows into the skin, causing irritation and inflammation.

Razor bumps can look like acne and may become itchy and painful. They can even turn into pustules (small fluid-filled bumps) and may become infected or cause other complications.

This article will explain what razor bumps are, how to get rid of them, and ways to prevent them from coming back.

What Are Some Complications of Razor Bumps?

Left untreated, razor bumps can lead to complications such as:

• Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation (areas of darkened skin left after inflammation)
  
• Keloid formation (a raised, "overgrown" scar)
• Hypertrophic scarring (a thickened, widened scar)

Stop Shaving to Reduce Razor Bumps

The most effective way to manage razor bumps is to stop shaving your face or other parts of your body and let the hair grow naturally. This will eliminate active bumps and prevent new ones from forming.

Once you stop shaving, you should notice fewer bumps after about a month, and your razor bumps should resolve completely in around three months.

If a clean-shaven face is required for work, you can ask your healthcare provider to provide a note explaining why you cannot have a closely shaven face.

How to Treat Razor Burn

Change Your Shaving Routine

How you shave matters. When you shave, it may help to do the following:

• Shave daily and always use a sharp razor. Since a single-blade razor will become dull after around five uses, don't use the same disposable blade more than five times.
• Start by washing your face with a mild, non-comedogenic cleanser (applied in a circular motion) with a washcloth or soft face brush.
• Apply a warm compress (hot, wet towel) to the area for about five minutes. You can also choose to shave at the end of your shower.
• If there are still embedded hairs, lift them out using a sewing needle cleaned with alcohol or antiseptic (don't pluck).
• Cover the area with a moisturizing shaving cream and let it sit for a few minutes before beginning to shave (reapply as often as necessary if it dries out while you are shaving).
• Avoid a close shave (leave about 0.5 millimeters to 3 millimeters of hair length). Try using a single-blade razor or an electric shaver or clippers set to a higher setting.
• Do not stretch the skin or press the razor hard against the skin while shaving.
• Use short strokes, shaving with the direction of the hair growth (if your hair grows in multiple directions, train your hair by using a clean, unused toothbrush daily to brush your hair in one direction).
• Rinse the blade after each stroke.
• Avoid shaving the same area multiple times.
• Rinse your face with warm water after shaving and apply a cool compress to the shaved areas.
• Apply a gentle aftershave.
• Keep your razor in a cool, dry place.
  

If you're prone to getting razor bumps, check your skin often for signs of complications like scarring, which can leave permanent marks on your skin. If changing the way you shave doesn't seem to help reduce razor bumps, see your dermatologist.

Moisturize Your Face Before and After

Moisturizing your face can help reduce razor bumps. Always choose a moisturizing shaving cream, even if you use an electric razor. Leave it on your skin for a few minutes before you start shaving. After shaving, apply moisturizer.

Try Non-Razor Hair Removal Products

Chemical depilatory products containing barium sulfide or calcium thioglycolate dissolve the hair instead of cutting or pulling it out, which may reduce razor bumps. They come in creams, powders, strips, and other formulations.

These products include:

• Magic Shave
• Surgex shaving powder
• Nair
• Neet
• Veet

Products range from mild to strong and can cause chemical burns when misused or when used on sensitive areas like the face. After a patch test, if using it on the face, leave it on for less time than the package recommends until you see how your skin reacts to it.

Before using any of these products, try a small amount on a test area and watch for a reaction.

Don't use these products on razor bumps; wait until the skin is clear and free of bumps to reduce irritation. Use these products no more than every 48 to 72 hours.

After the process is done, immediately and thoroughly rinse the area two or three times with soap and water. Then use a diluted vinegar solution (1 tablespoon per pint of water) to neutralize the depilatory. Rinse again with tap water.

Apply Natural Remedies

Some natural remediesrazor bump symptoms

• Aloe vera
• Tea tree oil (dilute with a carrier oil before applying it to the skin)
• Exfoliants (gently rub store-bought or homemade exfoliant over the area for a few minutes using a circular motion, then rinse)

Use Medication

If necessary, your healthcare provider may recommend non-prescription or prescription medications such as:

• Cortisone cream
• Benzoyl peroxide
• A topical or oral antibiotic (if a secondary bacterial infection occurs)
• A mild retinoid (such as tretinoin [Retin-A] 0.025% or 0.05%)
• Glycolic acid lotion 8% (Alpha-hydroxy, NeoStrata, and others)

When to See a Healthcare Provider

If your razor bumps don't start to disappear within a month after you've stopped shaving or have changed the way you shave, see your healthcare provider. They may want to rule out other causes of your symptoms or suggest prescription medications.

Try Professional Hair Removal Methods

Certain medical proceduresrazor bumps

• Laser hair removal or electrolysis (uses an electrical current) may be used to destroy the hair follicle and prevent hair from regrowing. This should only be done by a medical expert, like a dermatologist. Repeated sessions are usually needed. Laser hair removal and electrolysis can be expensive but may be covered by some insurance providers. There is a small risk of scarring with these procedures.
• Acid peels can help manage razor bumps. Glycolic acid helps straighten the hair so it's less likely to grow back into the skin. It also speeds up the skin-shedding process. Salicylic acid peels help unclog pores, get rid of dead skin cells, and reduce inflammation.
• Steroid injections may treat keloids or other thick scars resulting from razor bumps. They can also help reduce large razor bumps.

Should you pop razor bumps?

Don't pop razor bumps. Doing so could increase your risk of infection and lead to scarring. It's best to let them resolve on their own, and then take steps to prevent them from recurring.

How to Deal With Razor Burn on Your Legs

Summary

Razor bumps are small red or brown bumps caused by hair growing back into the skin after shaving or other forms of hair removal.

They are usually on the face and neck but can occur anywhere that hair is shaved. They are more common in people with naturally curly hair.

The best way to get rid of razor bumps for good is to stop shaving and let the hair grow out. You can also deal with razor bumps by using careful shaving methods, natural skin remedies, prescription medications, and procedures such as laser hair removal or electrolysis.

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By
Jones is a freelance writer with a strong focus on health, parenting, disability, and feminism.