Clive Anderson
AS A dermatologist, I see a constant stream of persons who have problems as a result of trying to remove unwanted hairs.
Razor bumps are very frequently occurring problems in our population, common to both males and females. These irritated papules and pustules that develop after hair removal, prove embarrassing for both sexes. Some males are able to circumvent the problem by growing a beard and luckily we do not as yet feel the need to remove hairs from our bodies. Not many ladies are willing to accept the 'beard option'.
Razor bumps may occur on the face, in the groin area or on the legs - anywhere that unwanted hair is removed. The bumps will occur regardless of the shaving method used.
By the way, we dermatologists call razor bumps by the almost unmanageable term 'Psuedofolliculitis barbae'. How's that for an important-sounding medical name.
The key to understanding and preventing razor bumps is to recognise that two factors play a role in their causation. These factors are firstly, that a hair shaft penetrating the skin is treated as a foreign body and elicits the body's full range of defence - the hair is walled off in a bump and white blood cells are brought in to attack it and the bacteria it brings with it. This leads to an inflamed bump and eventually pus formation. Secondly, shaving too closely may result in a razor burn with irritation of the skin.
Remember that shaving results in a short hair with a sharp edge. Our hairs do not grow straight out but immediately curl inwards, thus penetrating the skin.
Now that we know what's happening, we can manage it. I use the word manage advisedly because it is a process; there is no single easy solution other than allowing the hair to grow unimpeded.
HERE'S WHAT HAS TO BE DONE
Soften the hairs and plump up the skin by having a shower/bath before shaving. Warm water works best. Use a toothbrush to brush over the area lifting up the hairs.
Choose your hair removal method - shears like the barber uses that are adjustable so as not to go too close, razors like the Bumpguard that do not allow for a too close shave, or the depilatory creams/powders. Whichever one is used, the key is not to go too close but to shave often so as to keep hairs just above the skin surface. Do not stretch the skin when shaving and use as few strokes as possible. The object is a clean shave but not baby-bottom smooth.
Apply a moisturising gel to the area to soothe afterwards. Then perhaps most importantly - daily inspect the shaved area and gently lift out the ends of hairs that have entered the skin - these are easy to find as usually a bump will develop around them. Note, I said lift out the ends - do not pluck out the hairs!
This brings me to the second problem associated with hair removal and bumps, and this is the spots left on the skin. These are often seen in ladies who tweeze the hairs. The first thing is to stop tweezing!
Explore other methods of hair removal, such as the depilatory creams/powders. Consider laser hair removal which can offer a means of permanent hair removal.
By reducing or eliminating the skin irritation, you will halt the appearance of new spots. Your dermatologist can offer treatments to help remove the spots that are there.
With diligence, it is possible to shave without bumps. But one can't help but wonder - maybe we were not meant to be clean-shaven. Is hairiness a more natural state?
Dr. Clive Anderson is a dermatologist and venereologist; email: yourhealth@gleanerjm.com.
