Men need skincare too! Yes you heard me. Too many men are living with preventable skin issues because skincare has been perceived to be a female only requirement. You can no longer afford to just slap on some cream, powder or gel, shave and think that it’s enough. In current clime, it is important that you pay a bit more attention and cultivate your grooming regimen if you want to look your best.
Razor Bumps and Ingrowing Hairs:
What is it and Why is it more common with black men?
Also known as, Pseudofolliculitis Barbae, data shows that more than 1.5 million men in Nigeria suffer from it annually. Black men typically have coarse and coily ( compact and coiled up with less defined curls) hairs. This increases sensitivity on the skin around the beard and therefore the risk of having bumps and ingrown hairs because, many times the hair will retract beneath the skin surface and meet dead skin, causing the hair to curl back inside the pore . This trapped hair, then leads to inflammation and irritation giving birth to often painful bumps. Many men have decided to joined the beard gang because it’s convenient and painless plus they don’t have to deal with the trauma of shaving bumps.
How To Prevent Razor Bumps
So now that you know what it is and why you may be prone to ingrowing hairs and bumps , what can you do differently? As in every situation, there are always exceptions to the rule. This article is not claiming to have all the answers or providing a cure to razor bumps. Unfortunately some people especially those with sensitive skin may find that this will be an ongoing battle. I also realise that many of you may have moved on and settled for the bearded look but just in case you decide you want to give the clean shave another try, here are some routines you should try out to get a bump free shave.
1. Prepare your skin.
This is very important, pretty much like laying a foundation before starting to build a house. Wet your skin with warm water, go a step further by applying a hot towel to you face for a few minutes to open up your pores. Gently massage a facial cleanser and follow with an exfoliating scrub for another few minutes to get rid of dirt, oil and dead skin that might be matting down facial hair and blocking it from coming to the surface of the skin. Tip : If you’re in a hurry and think you don’t have time to prep your skin, you may want to consider scheduling your shaving for another time
2. Hydrate.
Moisten your face and apply your shaving cream to soften and hold the water to the hair then, allow it sit on your face for about 3 minutes. Tip : Use a non greasy beard oil before applying the cream to soften your hair and increase the glide of the blade. This will make it easier for your blade to cut.
3. Use A Single Blade.
Consider using a single blade instead of a multi blade stick. A multi blade will pull and tug at the hair below the hairline making the hair curl back underneath the skin leading to inflammation . A single blade will cut your hair parallel to the skin line . Let the razor do the work by shaving with gentle strokes and don’t go over the same spot too many times. Shave regularly to avoid allowing the hair to grow long enough to re-enter the skin’s surface. Tip: ( Change your blade regularly and do not use a blunt shaving stick)
4. Shave With The Grain
**This is merely a guide. Everyone is different so check for the direction of your own hair growth.
Shaving with the grain means shaving in the right direction, which is the direction of your hair growth. Shaving in the opposite direction or against the grain causes irritation, that could lead to ingrowing hairs. Avoid pulling or tugging at the hair. Tip : check direction of hair growth before you start shaving by pulling your skin taut while looking in the mirror.
5. Close-up The Pores and Restore Moisture.
When you’re done shaving , finish by rinsing with cold water to close your pores and reduce inflammation. Apart from taking off hair, shaving can also strip your skin of moisture, leaving it dry and dehydrated. So be sure to replenish with a lightweight moisturiser . Tip : Something with Tea Tree which is antiseptic and anti-inflammatory would be nice.
Having a regular schedule is key, but reduce the frequency of shaving, instead of everyday , you may want to shave every other day so the skin has time to heal between shaves. Make sure you have enough time and are not in a rush. Exfoliate with retinoids, glycolic or salicylic acids.Avoid heavy creams and oils in the beard area that can clog up your skin. If you’ve given up on razor completely and only use shaving powders, you still want to follow the routines. Maybe you’ve gone the way of the beard gang? Whatever path you decide, be sure to invest in your skincare products, remember, your skin is your primary cover, so look after it. Do let me know how it goes. Wishing you a bump free experience.
