It depends a bit on wether you are getting a rash immediately after you shave (in which case you at allergic to either the shaving products you are using or possibly even the metal in the shaver itself) That is an easy problem to fix, change your products! Or try waxing or hair removal creams. If the problem is a rash that comes up a day or so afterwards, then that is a more difficult kettle of fish.


That slightly delayed shaver rash is a common problem for men with curly hair, or for women who shave their bikini-line pubic hair. (Pubic hair is naturally more curly than head hair.) The medical term is ‘pseudofolliculitis barbae’.

Normally, the weight of each individual hair straightens it slightly. When you shave, a remnant of hair is left in the hair follicle. As this starts to grow out of the follicle, it may immediately curve round into the surrounding skin, because there is nothing to keep it straight. The ingrowing hair irritates the skin and can cause a lumpy reaction. Although regular shaving with the correct technique as described below will result in less razor rash, once it is developed, shaving nick the tops of the lumps, worsening the inflammation and perhaps allowing an infection to occur.

How to prevent shaving rash

1. Do not pull on the skin. Hairs are most likely to ingrow if you pull the skin while you are shaving, to get a close shave. This makes the hairs pop out of the follicle. Afterwards, the cut tip retracts into the follicle and then turns into the wall of the follicle. If you are shaving for the first time, or after significant regrow th it helps to carefully trim the area first so that you are not pulling against the entire leith of the hair.

2. Shave in the direction of the growth of the hairs. If the hairs naturally grow downwards, pull the razor downwards.

3. Avoid a close shave. The aim is to shave the hairs just above the skin, when they have already emerged from the hair follicle. Use an electric razor or an ordinary single-blade razor. Double-blade or triple-blade razors can give too close a shave (though if they work for you then great, it's not a one size fits all problem).

4. Prepare your skin before shaving, by using a good shaving gel, oil or foam, and thoroughly wet it into the hairs. rosebuds suggestion of a conditioner is an excellent one, as it will allow a smooth lubricated surface as well as softening the skin.

5. Check your razor is in good condition. If it is the disposable type, make sure you use a new one each time. If it is electrical or blade, check it is clean.

Once shaving rash has developed, curing it is tedious and can leave you with stubble for a few weeks.

Analyse the problem. Inspect the area with the help of a magnifying mirror. You may be able to see the hairs curling inwards. Have a good look for tiny yellow pustules, and redness and inflammation around the hair follicles or the tips of the ingrowing hairs – this could mean infection with bacteria, in the worst class you could need antibiotics to sort the issue out.

If you can see them, typos can try to get the tips of the ingrowing hairs out of the skin. Soak a towel in hot water and put it on the skin for a few minutes to soften the hairs. Then very carefully, using clean tweezers, pull the end of the hair out of the bump. Do not pull the whole hair out of the skin – just the loose end. Then with small scissors cut off the end of the hair that is curling back, quite close to the skin.

In the worst cases you will need to stop shaving and start again once the area has healed. Once the inflammation has resolved you could try using depilatory cream if you wish, which has the advantage of removing the hair at the skin surface and no lower.

Good luck!

isie