Best Sellers

360 Waves

Scalp Care

Pomade

Razor Bumps

Keys to a Bump-Free Shave

Posted by Michael James on


For a black man, shaving can be a painful task. One of the main culprits is a condition reportedly common for up to 80% of black men. Pseudofolliculitis Barbae or Razor Bumps occurs when shaving causes inflammation. But for the smoother faced brothers who rely on a fresh shave as part of their morning routine, what's a realistic solution?

A quick answer would be to shave less throughout the week. You probably wouldn't use the term 'trauma' to describe what's going on but that's exactly what it is. And if there's no significant time between shaves, then the healing process becomes harder to achieve. But we get it! Based on your work environment or just your personal preference, taking a break from the razor might just be a pipe dream. If you can't decrease shaving frequency, then you have to be more effective.

The first tip is to prepare your face before shaving. Preventive measures such as using the right cream, powder or gel for your skin type can go a long way in stopping new bumps from forming. But to treat the ones that are already there, use an exfoliator (tip number two)! What can happen is that when you shave, you tug at a hair instead of cutting it. When that occurs, a hair can easily curl back into the follicle, cause an in-grown hair-- no one likes those! That can become irritated and have an inflammatory, sometimes painful response response as well. The exfoliator can work to gently release that hair and start to make your skin smooth again.

Finally, if you want to get a bit more technical, have your barber 'grain map' your facial hair. The most successful shavers avoid irritation because they already know the landscape. By knowing how hair grows in, you'll make finding and shaving 'with the grain' that much easier. And that means you get a closer shave that lasts longer.

← Older Post Newer Post →

Leave a comment

The Journal

RSS
How to Keep Your Hair Hydrated This Summer
Conditioner dry scalp frederick benjamin men's grooming men's hair care Wave Week

How to Keep Your Hair Hydrated This Summer

By Janell Hickman

One thing we can all agree on is that dry hair is an absolute no-no. Keeping your hair healthy (even in the heat of summer) is a major...

Read more
Men with Dry scalp and hair

Understanding Dry Scalp and Dry Hair

Michael James
By Michael James

Dry scalp and dry hair can be frustrating and uncomfortable, but the good news is that it can be easily addressed with the right hair...

Read more