Shaving rash

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, especially in black skin (Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 2002;46(2 Suppl):5113–9). The next time you shave, you will nick the tops of the lumps, worsening the inflammation and perhaps allowing an infection to occur.

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.

 

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

 

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 give too close a shave.

 

Prepare your skin before shaving, by using a good shaving gel, oil or foam, and thoroughly wet it into the hairs.

 

How to deal with shaving rash. Curing shaving rash is tedious and will 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 staphylococci bacteria.

 

If you can see them, 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.

 

Stop shaving. Grow a beard and cut off the hair close to the skin with nail scissors (designer stubble look). As the hair grows, it should grow slightly straighter, and not grow back into the skin. If the problem is in the pubic area, stop shaving and remove the hair after a few weeks with a depilatory cream if you wish.

 

If you think the rash is infected, dab on a mild antiseptic such as tea tree oil. The infection may clear up on its own if you stop shaving. If it does not improve after a few days, see your doctor again; you might have a fungal infection.

 

Exfoliants remove the dead cells from the surface of the skin. They will not prevent the hairs turning in, but they may help to flatten the bumps. So if the bumps are slow to settle, exfoliants might be worth trying. Do not use them if your skin is inflamed or infected. There are various types of exfoliants. Facial scrubs usually contain tiny particles of pumice. Alpha hydroxy acids (fruit acids), in creams and face washes, have an exfoliant action. Alpha hydroxy acid creams are often labelled as ‘anti-ageing’; check the ingredients label.

Written by: Dr Margaret Stearn
Edited by: Dr Margaret Stearn
Last updated: Friday, February 26th 2010

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Comments on this article

Posted by Optional on 14/03/2010 at 09:02:24 am

ive been to the doctors got antibiotics and cream , but i have a terrible shaving rash between my legs and due to the moist area doesnt heal to well any advice on getting it to heal a little quicker

Posted by Optional on 07/03/2010 at 05:23:52 pm

I used to (and still do) get a really itchy red infected rash on my thighs and most of the top half of my legs when i shave them, no matter what i do. My beautician who i use just for bikini waxes has seen a lot of it before, its very common in those with sensitive skin and strong dark hair (as i have). Try waxing instead.. i only wax now and have never had any problems. It's more painful but lasts much longer and in the end less painful as theres no itchiness or pain when touching thighs.

Posted by Alex on 07/02/2010 at 07:51:00 pm

Beard trimmers are the way forward! A good trimmer will get hairs almost down to the skin but leave enough not to cause a rash or ingrowing hairs. I used to use an electric shaver and had a face full of rash and white heads. for the last 3 years I have not shaved down to the skin by using the trimmers and no more nasty rashes!

Posted by sweet like sugar on 03/02/2010 at 12:34:00 pm

How do I prevent stubble rash on my chin from kissing guy's??

Posted by Anonymous on 02/02/2010 at 02:22:00 pm

every time i shave my pubic hair, the hairs grow straight back the next day and this is sore to touch as well as it being sore when i try to shave soon after, i also suffer from little red spots in some areas which irritate and itch. how do i stop this because nothing seems to work :( ?

Posted by M.F. on 31/01/2010 at 09:02:00 am

This helps a lot.. I would also try (like it said) along the "grain" of the hairs or even a bit sideways. Use a shaving cream too, helps very much. I'm glad I'm not the only one who's had this problem aha.

Posted by Help please on 25/01/2010 at 09:13:00 pm

Hey iv just started shaving my bikini area and I always get a rash with red bumps andit is do itchy. If hurts slot to itch it and it geeks like a harsh stubble now! I'm 2 imbarassed to tell anyone so please help thanks

Posted by Fred on 08/01/2010 at 08:05:00 pm

my problem is the rash becomes more evident when not shaving for a while, then when shave it is really noticeable. in the days after the shave it fades very well, only to re-emerge after about 5 days of no shaving, or immediately after a shave.

Posted by tina on 08/01/2010 at 05:48:00 am

Well im a young teenager that shaves her back ! afta i do that my back has got red rash ( kind of looks like pimples ) but i dnt knw what it is anyways its been 2 months now since i have shaved and its still there , and when i shave my legs i get those stuff on my thighs ! i use water and razor and soap ! please can someone help me ! its on my arms , thighs & back :( please help me i cnt even show my arms anything !:(

Posted by Rebbeca Leask on 15/12/2009 at 02:00:00 am

very helpful....my extra bad shave rash shall now be cured for my man

Posted by Prajwal on 12/11/2009 at 10:08:00 am

I use a Gillette mach 3 blade. I shave my beard once it grows for after 6 days. By shaving like this i am getting scared of my skin getting rough.. pl z let me know what can i do for my skin to be smooth..

Posted by angelo on 02/10/2009 at 08:43:00 am

thanks for the approiate information above i have had barbers itch for sometime will let me beard grow out and use an exfoliate

Posted by Casey on 17/09/2009 at 09:30:00 am

i often got the problem with a few red dots after shavingg my vagina, then i tried a new solution, leave the hairs t grow for atleast 3-4 days, then when it comes t shaving, never go upwards, go either down or sideways, this helps me alot as the rashes i usually gott rarely there now, i only get about 2-3 red dots and they clear up within a day :D

Posted by Ste on 22/08/2009 at 03:12:00 pm

Many thanks for the sound advice

Posted by leanne on 19/08/2009 at 12:01:00 am

I shave my pubic hairs, legs, armpits & sometimes my arms. Unless I've been on holiday as they go blonde. I never get shaving rash on my legs or arms, but i get it on my vagina, mainly bikini line and my armpits. I only really notice this happens when I shave day after day. I hate the stubble though, moisturiser helps abit, not much. Don't use soap, it dries out the skin, your better off using a cream (shaving cream).

Posted by Victoria on 06/08/2009 at 09:06:00 pm

I shave my pubic hairs and aways end up with stubble if I shave too often, I think it is key, to let it grow for 5 days before a big event then use a clean blade. Moisturise afterwards!! Then You will be smooth as a babys bum :D

Posted by mel on 27/07/2009 at 11:20:00 pm

i just shaved my pubes all off but using no foam and its hurting like hell and lots of raw red bumps come up, i feel more embarrased now then i did having pubes. What can u put on it to stop the itching i tried talc but it dosent do much.. Help!

Posted by jasmine on 26/07/2009 at 01:14:00 pm

i shave it gives you a rash my mum notest she was not bother

Posted by alex on 23/07/2009 at 02:29:00 am

hi, im a lad and i shaved my pubes, aorund the croch area and yh i have a shving rash, its a bit red but goes after a couple of days. all i do is use gillette and gillette shaving foam. does any 1 have any tips on moisturiser?? and will the rash turn up after the mosturiser?? cheers

Posted by jodie on 09/07/2009 at 12:47:00 am

i always get shaving rash, especially on my thighs. I find it is much better to let your hair grow back and exfoliate everytime you shower and try dry oil spray straight afterwards (avons is brilliant) it stings a bit but it seems to get all of the irritation out of the way. i used to use veet but am now allergic to it but that was the best for a night out as it used to keep my legs stubble free for a few days. Oh ye and sea salt scrub is brilliant too it stops infection. Hope this helps xxxx

Posted by Anonymous on 02/07/2009 at 01:34:00 pm

im a lad that shaves his pubes and i have some expert tips the ones above are brilliant, but they have missed out a few good ones 1. make sure u heat the area with hot water for 5/10 minutes before shavin 2. always use a sensitive skin soap OR shavin gel (shavin gel prefrebly) to mask the area before shaving, make it as thick as possible 3. leave the gel for a minute or so to sink in a bit 4. shave the area, shave in the direction of the hairs, if ur using a throw away shaver, MAKE SURE ITS A NEW ONE, if its a gillette (or equivilent shaver) make sure the head is in IMMACULATE condition and not dangerous to use 5. afterwards, wash the area with sensitive skin soap 6. pat dry the area and do not rub or touch the area too much with ur fingers 7. THIS IS KEY... moisterise the area thoroughly!!!! this is so important 8. keep clean if you get shavin rash after doin this you really should not shave at all becos ur hairs just arent made to be shaved, but i very much doubt you will get any rash or ingrowin hairs usin my tips :S hope this helps some people xxx

Posted by jjennifer on 04/06/2009 at 09:22:00 pm

i really need help my leg hair is dark, thick, and i have light skin so after i shave they look like dalmation legs and i treid laser and waxing and the hair grows back way to fast

Posted by michael on 03/06/2009 at 11:46:00 am

Hello. I have shaving rash after my shave this week (face). It looks quite funny, y'know, like somebody's rubbed sandpaper on my chin and lower cheeks for an hour or something. Thank-you for the tips supplied on the website.

Posted by Anonymous on 28/05/2009 at 08:02:00 pm

hi, i had this problem around my bikini line and it was so embarresin that i would make my boyfriend turn the light off whilst we had sex coz i didnt want him to see. i went to my doctors and they gave me tablets called fluxicillin and after a few courses of this treatment they have cleared up loads, there are still some there but its 99% better than it was. i dont use a normal razor now coz thats what was causing it so i just use an electrical raazor which doesnt cause the spots to appear after shaving.

Posted by Telly on 02/05/2009 at 01:08:00 pm

hi all i know exactly how u feel but worse i used to shave my bikini line and id get a rash that never went away so i stopped now i pull them out with tweezers and the rash is still there and they nearly all come back ingrown..there are red bumps everywhere and its so emabarrassing i wont even wear a bikini or let my bf look at me i wish i could feel good about down there and confidently wear bikini's etc but the rash never goes what do i do? ps im sure i have sensitive skin i have also tryed a cream called bikini saver it still dosent work please help it makes me feel really gross ven though no one else see's it and i hate letting hair grow back down there it makes me feel dirty i have dark hair all over and so im constantly getting rid of it...PLEASE HELP

Posted by morgan on 15/04/2009 at 12:36:00 pm

corn flour helps for the red rash bumps.

Posted by . on 15/04/2009 at 01:31:00 am

i shave my bikini completely and i often come out with little red dots all over, i get so embarressed and it means me not having sex. is this normal? or am i weird?

Posted by 5u2 on 28/03/2009 at 01:52:00 pm

I always get a rash when shaving my pubic hairs, and my legs, I find not using moisturiser straight after shaving, and using sudocrem or bio oil on the rash helps alot. xxx

Posted by sandra on 19/03/2009 at 07:20:00 pm

when i shave my bikini line it sometimes bleeds and comes up with a red raw rash... it might be that i have overly sensitive skin but i dont have time to wax and hair removal cream doesnt work. any suggestions?

Posted by mick on 16/03/2009 at 06:24:00 pm

hi,hate shaveing but have to do it every day, face,cheeks,chin no problem at all but my neck is, my hair re-grows slowly and flat to my neck and in lots of different directions which results in redness,a rash,very sore and little white spots. please could you help or surgest any thing to help. thank you for your time.

Posted by Liiiiiizzzzz on 15/03/2009 at 06:12:00 pm

I shave my legs and they always look "speckly" i have used exfoliating scrub and i moisturise after yet my skin has always got dots from where the hair has been shaved. It is so embarrasing and i want it to go away becuase i hate gettung my legs out because of it. please help

Posted by nameless on 17/02/2009 at 08:36:00 pm

hi i am 28 and can only grow a little bit of facial hair is there anything that can be done like i grow facial hair but not enough to grow a beard or anything

Posted by Kerry on 16/02/2009 at 04:21:00 pm

I have curly hair and also curly hair on my bikini line/pubic region. I shave completely down there, but the next day it has already started growing back and also red bumps begin to appear. By the second day my skin feels really irritated there. Is there anyway I can prevent this happening and also what method of hair removal should I use instead, as my skin is very sensitive.

Posted by Anne on 16/02/2009 at 01:34:00 pm

HI Waxing my legs & hands has been very painful, so i have using razor to clean them but recently i have developed red rashes on my thigh which doesnt seem to go at all. Please advice as to what home remedy should i take to clean this. Or Should i consult a skin doctor.

Posted by cory on 12/02/2009 at 06:27:00 pm

I tried everything and i still end up getting rashes, only on my neck I'm getting sick of it. Please help me out!.

Posted by Chris on 09/02/2009 at 11:07:00 am

Hello i often suffer from shaving rash around my upper lip and becomes very red and raw after shaving any tips to remove it as im fed up with having it?

Posted by Anonymous on 03/02/2009 at 04:44:00 pm

Thanks, its really helpfull!

Posted by savage . on 22/01/2009 at 04:28:00 pm

i shaved my pubic hairs with a double bladed razor and now its come up red bumps and inflamed and irratating what do i do ?

Posted by jason on 09/01/2009 at 08:28:00 am

This is heaps good infomation it explanes a lot

Posted by Zig on 06/01/2009 at 10:29:00 pm

Cheers, I shaved my privates the other day and now it's rather painful. This describes exactly what's occuring. The advice has been very insightful and will help me to cure this problem in a few weeks time. Hopefully i'll learn to be more careful to shave with the hairs lol.

Posted by david on 29/12/2008 at 04:24:00 am

hey i often suffer from shaving rash around my upper lip and does be very red and raw after shaving any tips to remove it as im fed up with having it