Before you dive in… If you want to find out exactly how to deforest any part of your body with amazing results, be sure to check out my best razors for black men roundup and Dave’s notorious guide to hair removal for men!
If you are reading this, you are probably no stranger to razor bumps – inflamed bumps that occur after a close shave.
Because of their naturally curly hair, African Americans are known to be at a greater risk of experiencing a breakout of razor bumps.
If you’re at your wit’s end with dealing with these unsightly and uncomfortable little bumps, I’ve got some good news for you:
Treating razor bumps is a simple process. Ordinary equipment, all-natural facial creams and oils, and just a little bit of know-how… And you’re set!
Check this Out: Black Men Beard Care: Tips, Tricks, and 5 Best Products
In this article, I’ll explain what you can do to manage and even prevent these pesky facial bumps from ever creeping their way onto your face ever again.
- First off: How to Treat Razor Bumps?
- How to Prevent Razor Bumps (7 Pro Tips)
- Reoccurrence of Razor Bumps
- Best 5 Products for Black Men Razor Bump Treatment
- 1. Best Single-Blade Razor: Merkur Futur Adjustable Double-Edge Safety Razor
- 2. Best Electric Shaver: Braun Series Electric Shaver
- 3. Best Exfoliant: Brickell Renewing Face Scrub for Men
- 4. Best Shaving Cream: Jack Black Beard Lube Conditioning Shave
- 5. Best Hydrating Aftershave Solution: Healing Solutions Tea Tree Oil
- What’s The Bottom Line?
First off: How to Treat Razor Bumps?
I’m not going to lie to you:
The best way to get rid of razor bumps is adjusting your shaving routine not to get any (we will look into that right below). However:
If you need to treat an existing cluster of bumps, a good razor bump cream is an answer. I searched the Internet high and low and found what I consider to be the best razor bump cream currently on the market: B&C Razor Bump Creme. Tons of people swear by it, myself included!
B&C Razor Bump Creme
How to Prevent Razor Bumps (7 Pro Tips)
Now that we’re done with the treatment part, I will focus on the best razor bump removal and prevention tips and techniques you can apply to decrease the chance of razor bump reoccurrence as well as how to treat them when they creep back onto your face and body.
1. Always Use a Sharp Single-Blade Razor or Electric Shaver
A dull razor with a single or multiple blades will pull hair strands more than slice it. This tugging can potentially snap the hair strand, causing it to begin growing below the surface of your skin. This can help to achieve a squeaky clean feel that many opt for, but it also increases the chance of a razor bump outbreak. Remember to replace your disposable single-blade razors according to the manufacturer’s recommendation or purchase an electric shaver that won’t cut beneath your skin’s surface. An electric shaver should give you a clean shave appearance suitable for work and other formal situations.
2. Place a Hot Compress on the Hairy Zone
Whether you want to shave your chest, face, or arms, it’s a good idea to apply a hot compress on the spot of unwanted hair. The heat from a warm towel helps widen the pores and soften the hair, making it easier to shear without going too deep. If you can resist the urge, go over a spot with few sweeps as possible rather than making multiple passes that cut the hair below your skin’s surface.
3. Use an Exfoliating Cream or Gel
Apart from razor bumps, shaving can create a condition where your skin is more prone to developing acne, especially when using a hot compress to provide easier access to cheek and jaw line hairs. Any dead skin around the shaven area can enter the pores and clog it. In order to eliminate the obstruction of new hair growth, exfoliate right before shaving.
4. Apply a Moisturizing Shaving Cream
Your shaving ritual should include the use of a moisturizing shaving cream. Darker skin tones are more sensitive to even the slightest of cuts or injuries. Even the tiniest nick in the skin can leave a dark mark on the skin for months or even years. A moisturizing shaving cream can reduce the risk of accidental cuts when shaving. Be sure to leave the moisturizer on your mustache, beard, and skin for at least a minute to let the cream properly moisten the area before picking up your razor.
5. Shave with the Grain
This is general knowledge, but many people might have been taught to do the opposite. When shaving against the grain, you are pulling the hair away from the follicle before cutting. This gives a closer shave to the skin, but ultimately increases the chance of ingrown hairs that will swell to become embarrassing inflamed bumps. The direction of your hair’s growth may vary so spend some time getting to know the background of your whiskers before slicing them off.
6. End with a Hydrating Aftershave
Most store-bought aftershaves contain fragrances that smell great but can pester your pores. Instead of using aftershaves with mysterious ingredients, black men should go for a hydrating aftershave solution such as tea tree oil. This purifies and tones your skin after a clean shave, and it smells great, too. When all is said and done, dab your face with a microfiber washcloth to dry your skin without causing damage.
7. Stick to a Shaving Schedule
If you need a consistently clean shave for work or other purposes, I suggest planning and sticking to a shaving schedule. Ensure that the schedule gives your newly shaved beard and mustache at least two days of rest. This gives your skin enough time to overcome any issues of the last shave while not giving your whiskers time to curl inwards into the surface of your skin.
Read this Article: Best Hair Removal Cream for Men: Top 7 Picks
Reoccurrence of Razor Bumps
Even if you managed to plan out a rigorous shaving schedule that includes the use of various shaving creams, moisturizers, and tea tree oil, it won’t be 100% foolproof against the reoccurrence of razor bumps. If those annoying little bumps do come back, stay away from the razor until they disappear. Razor bump treatment for African Americans involves gently placing a warm, damp towel on the area for at least five minutes multiples times throughout the day. When the pain dissipates and the tiny bulges lose their inflamed feel and appearance, begin making adjustments to your pre- and post-shave ritual.
Best 5 Products for Black Men Razor Bump Treatment
Now that we understand the basics of razor bump prevention and treatment, it is essential that we have the proper shaving supplies. This following section will focus on five of the best shaving products for black males, but there are a seemingly infinite number of high-quality products to use. These are just our suggestions and may not be suitable for every African American man out there, and there are numerous products on the market that can serve you well, such as Cremo’s beard tea tree oil, and Hatteker’s electric shaver.
Comparison Chart
Braun Series 9-9095cc Wet and Dry Foil Shaver for Men with Cleaning Center, Electric Men’s Razor, Razors, Shavers, Cordless Shaving System
Brickell Men’s Renewing Face Scrub for Men, Natural and Organic Deep Exfoliating Facial Scrub Formulated with Jojoba Beads, Coffee Extract and Pumice, 4 Ounce, Scented
1. Best Single-Blade Razor: Merkur Futur Adjustable Double-Edge Safety Razor
If German-craftsmanship means anything to you, then you’ll appreciate the Merkur Futur double-edged safety razor with an adjustable blade gap. This chrome-coated single-blade shaver comes with a long 3.1-inch ribbed handle which offers a comfortable grip while gliding across the surface of your skin. The best feature is the adjustability of the blade gap – it has six different settings that allow users to determine how close a shave they want. No pressure is needed when using this Merkur-made razor and blade (replaceable blades sold separately); just run it along your beard and mustache while the weight of the razor does the cutting. High-quality German-made razors don’t come cheap so expect to dole out a rather hefty sum of cash on this bad boy.
Pros
Cons
2. Best Electric Shaver: Braun Series Electric Shaver
Of all the electric shavers I’ve tried, I give my highest recommendation for the Series 9-9095cc from Braun. This shaver is one of the most efficient and comfortable devices to use, and it comes with a wide range of features not commonly implemented in everyday electric shavers. Black men who have frequent bouts against razor bumps will find value in the four different cutting elements installed in this device – micro-vibrations with 40,000 cross-cutting actions per minute, trimmer for cutting non-uniform direction of hair growth, HyperLift for removing hairs that lay flat against the chin and neck areas, and the dual OptFoil for the perfect close-shave finish. This shaver is completely waterproof and even comes with a precision trimmer for styling sideburns. Parts for this electric shaver are hard to find so should take extremely good care of this costly device.
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3. Best Exfoliant: Brickell Renewing Face Scrub for Men
If you’re a victim of dry skin, oily skin, or anything in between, then Brickell’s facial scrub for men should do the trick. This exfoliant comes with natural particles that scrub away dead cells, blackheads, and help prevent ingrown hairs by unclogging pores. The gel helps rejuvenate your skin with its softening properties that revitalize your facial skin. It is made with a variety of all-natural ingredients such as jojoba beads, aloe vera, coffee and green tea extracts, and avocado butter – all of which are used to smooth the skin in preparation for shaving.
Pros
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4. Best Shaving Cream: Jack Black Beard Lube Conditioning Shave
Unlike many store-bought shaving creams and gels, Jack Black’s beard lube and conditioning gel does not dry out the skin. It gives the beard and skin underneath much-needed moisture to prevent tugging and accidental razor nicks. This cream is not just for shaving your face, but it can also be used on any other part of the body in preparation for shaving. Using this conditioner requires lathering it on the body part and leaving it for two to three minutes before running a razor over it. Some users might feel “cheated” by this product for its lack of foam, but it really gets the job done.
Pros
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5. Best Hydrating Aftershave Solution: Healing Solutions Tea Tree Oil
The best aftershave oil to use is melaleuca oil, better known as tea tree oil. The best tea tree oil to use on your face after a shave is Healing Solution’s 100% therapeutic-grade tea tree oil. This oil comes in a small 10-ounce amber-tinted glass bottle and dropper which prevents sunlight from penetrating the bottle and ruining the contents. Although 10 fluid ounces may seem small, a couple drops of this tea tree oil are all it takes to soothe the skin after a close or clean shave. The oil helps combat the occurrence of ingrown hairs by providing moisture to the skin while stopping bacteria and other pore-clogging substances from residing in your hair follicles. Exercise caution when using this product since the dropper/lid may close the bottle completely.
Pros
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What’s The Bottom Line?
Remember: the best razor bump treatment for black men starts BEFORE the shaving – so first and foremost, African American men looking for a close shave may need to reconsider their decision.
Without proper care, a close shave can mean the appearance of razor bumps all over the shaved area. These bumps may not disappear for many days, leaving you with embarrassing red spots on your face for longer than you would like.
However:
You just learned everything you need to know about how to get rid of razor bumps on black men – and how to get the right equipment, skin-care products, and supplies.
I have given you our pick of some of the best products you should have on-hand before, during, and after shaving.
Now, finally, you can get your desired shave with no risk of embarrassing razor bumps!
Any thoughts or questions? Share in the comment section below!
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About the author Dennis Walker
A Dallas-based freelance writer and blogger, Dennis creates the go-to resources for men who are embracing style, grooming and skin care in an open-minded and forward-thinking way.
