What are Razor Dumps? — 3 Ways to Prevent Razor Dumps

Sohaib Ahmed
4 min readOct 9, 2023

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The phenomenon in which skin hair starts growing inside instead of outside aftershave is called razor dumps. Medically, razor dumps are also known as pseudofolliculitis barbae, caused by hair removal. Sometimes, you can treat razor dumps by adopting other shaving alternatives or changing your shaving routine, even you may treat razor dumps by replacing your old razor with a new one These methods might help you to control razor dumps, if not then you need to follow the 3 ways to prevent razor dumps discussed below.

Some people experience more razor dumps than others it all depends on your skin, If you have any symptoms of razor dumps, then adopt mentioned treatments below.

Recognization of Razor Dumps

To treat your skin from razor dumps firstly you have to find the main reason that causes your skin to develop razor dumps. Next, the location of razor dumps is also very crucial, mostly it occurs at frequently shaving body parts.

You must be well aware of symptoms and the risks associated with razor dumps in order to act towards it.

1. What Causes Razor Dumps?

The ingrown hair after shaving causes razor dumps to happen, type of skin and hair may cause razor dumps in some people. Some of the major causes to form razor dumps on your skin are as follows:

  • darker skin
  • Frequently shaving
  • Curly hairs

2. What are the Affected Areas?

Razor dumps are typically developed on the most frequent shaving areas, such as on the face and neck, especially for men. It has been observed that the most developing areas of razor dumps are the jaw, chin, and cheeks.

3. Symptoms of Razor Dumps

The formation of papules and pustules (small razor dumps just after the shave) is the major symptom of developing razor dumps. Solid inflamed bumps are papules, with white and yellow tip bumps are pustules.

Razor bumps cause you to feel itchy over a wider area or maybe at a particular spot depending on the affected area. Razor dumps appear to be the same skin color with 2 to 5 millimeters.

Razor dumps may appear just after the shave or within a day or two, they last up to a couple of days to weeks.

4. Risks of Razor Bumps

Apart from itching, razor dumps can also damage your skin by causing the skin tone to be darker than the other skin. Other risks associated with razor bumps are forming hard skin on the razor bump-affected area, and having an infection which may need treatment.

Prevention of Razor Dumps

Prevention of razor dumps starts with a change in your shaving routine or shifts towards other shaving alternatives. No alternative or treatment removes razor dumps instantly, it takes time and a well-following routine to do it. If you experiencing razor dumps, here we discuss the 3 ways to prevent razor dumps which might help you eliminate your razor dumps:

1. Stop Shaving for a While

Most of the time you can treat razor dumps by adopting this stop-shaving technique, and take some time to grow your hair. For example, if you shave regularly then try to do it twice or three times a week. This way of preventing razor dumps helps to decrease the chances of hair growing inside the skin.

Vanishing completely razor dumps requires stopping shaving for 3 to 4 weeks, although it is not practical. You can control razor dumps by doing it less often.

2. Alter the Way of Shaving

Razor bumps are mainly caused by hard hair skin, you have to be careful with dry shaving and always wash your face with cleanser before shaving. Warm cloth may help you to compress your skin for hair removal. Shaving cream might be helpful to avoid dry shaving, even in the case of electric shaving.

Using a sharp razor and replacing it with a new one after 5 to 7 shaves may decrease the chances of razor dumps. It is also suggested to use aftershave and keep your blade dry between shaves.

3. Change the Shaving Alternative

Moving towards another available alternative may also be a way out of razor dumps, you can adopt any other way to prevent razor dumps but it’s important to know the reaction you might face. It is suggested that you be fully aware of your skin before applying any chemical to your skin, some creams and powders are available as a replacement for blades and, maybe a better alternative to treat your razor bumps.

Other options might be expensive such as Laser and electrolysis both remove the hair permanently, vanishing ingrown hair eternally. These options may cause damage to your skin, so it is recommended to consult with your doctor before advancing.

Final Thoughts

The ingrown hair inside the skin after hair removal most likely by a blade is razor bumps. Developing razor bumps on your skin is natural and can be cured according to the condition. It is better to cure the razor bumps as early as possible, above discussed symptoms can surely help you out in this.

However, the mentioned prevention ways might be helpful in order to stop the further formation of razor bumps on your skin. So keep an eye on your skin to avoid itching.

Hopefully, you get this article as an informational guide and useful for treating razor bumps on your skin if any, let me know in the comment section.

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Sohaib Ahmed

SEO Content Writer | Ghost Writer | Freelance Writer | Engineer