What to do about existing ingrown hairs?

Hey all, my name is Tom and this is my first post here.

I am pretty new to shaving as a 16 year old, and made the mistake of shaving against the grain several times without shaving with the grain first, or even using a warm towel before shaving!

I've done a lot of searching on youtube and have begun to learn the true art of shaving, but about 10-20 razor bumbs remain on my neck.

So what is the procedure for removing them. Are they ingrown hairs or some rash in reaction to harsh shaving technique?

 

Hey Tom,

Good to have you here, buddy. The best thing I've found for bumps is to just wait them out. In time, they go away. If you want to continue shaving, just go over them lightly with the grain. You may also want to try a product like Bump Stopper. It's only a couple of dollars and is found at most places like Wal Mart, etc. It's a liquid that you apply after shaving. It seems to work for some people. You may also want to rub some Gold Bond or Talc over the bumps too. It'll help cover them up and maybe dry them out.

 

When I get ingrowns I "operate" them out with the tip of my pocket knife.

However, it could well be that the bumps you get after shaving aren't ingrowns (they take half a day to a day to show!) but a reaction of the tender skin to the layers of skin being removed. Might be worth it to closely watch the bumps whether they are "really" ingrowns.

 

Thanks guys!

I'll keep watching them. I ordered some Tend Skin from shavehouse

it might help, but until then...

 

Hi Tom and Welcome to TSD.

 

Welcome, buddy!

 

Ouffffffffff, you made me break in a cold sweat! I rarely get ingrowns, but when I do, if I try to do anything, I suffer terrible pain, and I get nauseous.........:ashamed001 :sick007

 

:signs046 to the Den, Tom. You'll find plenty of help here so enjoy your shaves.

 

Im not sure if this helps any but it seems most bump stoppers are Which hazel and sylic acid. The which hazel softens the skin so that the hairs can push through and sylic acid which is a acne medicine to kill any bacteria. Of course each one is going to say it has something that makes it better i.e.: vitamins, minerals, rare moon rocks, and what not. However the 2 important ingredients should be which hazel and sylic acid so dont worry about buying the $50 formula instead of the $3-$5 formula other then pretty scents they should work about the same. I say "should" cause Im not affected by shave bumps so I cant talk from experience. However a lot of people in the navy have them and I have seen so pretty horrific cases.

 

Welcome, When I was getting them I would look and you can most times see the hair as a dark line across the bump. The I would grab it with a tweezer carefully pulling it out then apply some antseptic. If there was no line or hair visable I would leave it alone.
:signs046

 

Rub the area quite firmly with a hot, wet face cloth. This will "lift" them out.

Good pre shave prep will help prevent IGH.

Fozz

 

Ever try Tend Skin? I've used it with great success for razor bumps. However, for years I haven't gotten it. I just changed my technique. In other words, shaving improperly; dull blades, too fast, unprepped face, etc....these things were the biggest contributors to my bumps.

I still get it every once in a while when I change something in the routine up. Relathering helps a TON! I'll lather 20 times if it will prevent those painful bumps.

 

Try Anthony Logistics Ingrown Hair Treatment. Its a gel substance that you massage into your problem area.

It has worked for me. But to be honest, I haven't had to use it for a while since using a DE.

 

I'm have the same razor bump problem and my solution was to grow a beard for 10 years, but i'd like to start shaving again, so thanks guys for all the pointers and tips.

I'm hoping using a DE will reduce the potential for bumps.

 

I don't know if anyone will agree or disagree. But to me, just using a brush with decent lather was the biggest improvement.

I'd posted earlier about shaving my wife's legs with a disposable, yet using good lather. Tremendous difference.

I'm new, but I catch on quick. Spend $20 on a brush and it will likely be the greatest investment you've ever made. The largest improvement in your shave regimen.

Word of caution. The toys in the world of wet shaving are quite addictive. Just take a look at the medicine cabinet page.

 

Try washing your face with that apricot cream they sell at walmart before you lather up, worked for a buddy of mine. I think it pulls up the hairs real well.

 

Mechanical exfoliation works best.

Use a scrub or loofah to help remove the skin under which the hair is trapped. Once it's freed, the infection stops. Tweezers aid in removing the hair once it's come closer to surface. Hot compress before aids in the process.

Alternatively, you can shave WTG with a DE over the afflicted spots, so as to slice the ingrowns open. The hair freed, the infection subsides. Use splash afterward.

The second method sounds less attractive but it works very well and very rapidly.

 

What about leaving a mark? Shouldn't it just be left alone?

I've seen some guys with marks in their faces from messing with pimples or ingrown hairs.

I like the witch hazel idea and being patient.

 

This is what I usually do... I'm not sure if it's the best method, but it makes me feel better to get the hair out of there.

 

Oufffffffff, that is painful, yes? :sick007 :sick007