Shaving bumps: How to avoid bumps after shaving

Reading time: 5 mins

A man smiling at the camera with a clean-shaven face and no shaving bumps.

SSometimes we wish our lives could be like a TV advert on repeat: beautiful people driving expensive cars, holidaying in luxury hotels, and succeeding at everything they do. In that sort of world, no one would get pimples after a shave.

But pimples after shaving your face, and anywhere else on the body – are part of everyday life for many of us. So, what can you do to avoid breakouts after shaving your face? With these tips for a hygienic, soft shave, the uncomfortable routine becomes a refreshing experience… with the feel-good factor of a commercial.

How and why do you get those red bumps after shaving?

Sensitive and dry skin types are especially prone to those not-so-fun after-shave bumps. That’s because their natural skin barrier is weaker and the skin thinner.¹ Therefore, for those with sensitive, dry skin, shaving can irritate the hair follicles; the friction of the blade on the skin, causes the hair follicles to become inflamed.² Ouch!

But excessive sebum, an oily, waxy substance found in combination or oily skin, can also lead to these red bumps after shaving. Sebum can clog up pores and make them more prone to inflammation. For those of you with full beards, you may experience clogged-up pores more often, which is why beard care is so important for you to add to your daily routine and should not be neglected.

And for the rest of you, sensitive skin, dry skin, or excessively oily skin can be the reason why shaving pimples appear on the face and everywhere else you shave. But don’t worry, we’re going to show you how to avoid bumps after shaving below!

Close-up of a man with shaving foam on his face using a white, blue and grey electric shaver.

How to avoid bumps after shaving:

Want to avoid breakouts after shaving your face? Healthy skin is the answer. The healthier and cleaner your skin, the less likely it is you’ll get shaving pimples. If you are prone to razor bumps on your face after shaving, using an oil-free moisturiser can unclog pores and reduce breakouts. As dirty skin is more likely to get inflamed, it is important to clean it gently before shaving. An electric skin cleansing brush helps to control sebum production, clean the skin, and stimulate its blood flow, but make sure you’re using it properly by reading through the instructions.

Precaution is better than aftercare: Avoid pimples after shaving

To avoid shaving pimples, you must remember two things: hygiene and a gentle shave. How do you make sure you follow these two important things? The best approach to avoid shaving bumps is to keep prevention in mind when you’re going through your shaving routine. We’ll help break it down for you below!

Before shaving:

Wash your hands to avoid irritating or inflaming shaving pimples that are already there.
Wash your face with lukewarm water to cleanse the skin and let it dry. A dry shave will cause less friction and could potentially minimise after-shave bumps. Remember to include your whole face and neck – you don’t want razor bumps on your chin or neckline simply because you forgot them!
Shave at least every other day so your hairs don’t grow too long. Shaving regularly can reduce the risk of inflammation and razor bumps on the face forming.
Choose a dry shave because it protects the natural skin barrier.
Choose an electric shaver designed for sensitive skin, such as the Philips OneBlade. Its clever technology makes sure it glides gently over the skin without cutting too close, protecting the skin, and guaranteeing a smooth shave. The OneBlade conforms to your facial contours with less pressure, helping you to minimise razor bumps on your chin and other hard-to-reach areas. All in all, investing in a quality shaver can make it a little bit easier to prevent bumps on your face after shaving.

A clean-shaven man placing his fingers against some red marks on his neck.

See more below ↓

During shaving:

Choose the comfort settings on your razor, as they’ll go easy on pimples.
Use gentle pressure. You can always use a bit more pressure for a clean shave afterwards, because a good razor won’t damage irritated skin.
If you’re using a Philips OneBlade, shave in small, quick circles. This motion guarantees an efficient but skin-friendly shave, ideal for those who want to avoid forming pimples after shaving their face. You can shave your chin with small movements in the direction of the grain. For a clean shave go against the grain.
Puff up your cheeks instead of pulling at your skin when shaving your cheeks. This is much gentler and can help to avoid bumps on the face after shaving.
Shave for about 3 minutes, as shaving for too long can damage your skin. Avoid shaving areas you have already covered.

A man with light stubble and brown hair holds a brown towel against his neck.

After shaving:

Avoid sports and sun directly after shaving, as sweat makes inflammations worse.
Gently pat your skin dry to prevent additional friction.
Use a non-alcoholic care product to prevent inflammation and to soothe the skin.
Rinse your shaver after every use. This removes dirt to keep your razor clean, which can help you avoid pimples after shaving.

So, there we have it. Now you know what steps to take to deal with pimples after shaving your face or anywhere else on your body. Remember, while after-shaving bumps are inevitable at times with these steps you have a greater chance of preventing shaving bumps!

Sources:
¹Sensitive Skin, DermNet
² The male beard hair and facial skin – challenges for shaving, Wiley Online Library