Shaving bumps: how to avoid bumps after shaving

Reading time: 5 mins

Close-up of clean-shaven smiling man in dark clothing.

Sometimes 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 – on the face, and anywhere else on the body – are part of everyday life for many of us. So, what can you do to avoid pimples after shaving and do razor bumps have treatments? 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 shaving bumps. That’s because their natural skin barrier is weaker and the skin thinner. Shaving can irritate the hair follicles due to the friction of the blade on the skin, causing hair follicles to become inflamed. 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. That’s why shaving pimples appear on the face and everywhere else you shave.

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:

The healthier and cleaner your skin, the less likely it is you’ll get shaving pimples. If you are prone to red bumps after shaving, use an oil-free moisturiser. 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 the 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: avoiding 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? There is no real go-to razor bump treatment that works for everyone, so it is best to prepare and approach shaving bumps with prevention in mind.

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. 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. That reduces the risk of inflammation.
Choose a dry shave because it protects the natural skin barrier.
Choose a razor 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, which makes it that 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.

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During shaving:

Choose the comfort settings on your razor, as they’ll goes 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. 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 to avoid pimples after shaving.

So, there we have it. Remember, while after-shaving bumps are inevitable at times, preventing shaving bumps is much more effective than any razor bump treatment!