Razor Bumps- How Laser Treatment Provides Quick Relief

Aren’t their times you wish you could just stop shaving?

Depending upon your genetic predisposition and hair structure, razor bumps and ingrown hairs are almost inevitable if you shave on a daily basis. These bumps are caused by the hairs curling inward and growing sideways within the hair follicles. The result is a razor bump that often gets infected and causes pimples and blemishes on the skin.  You should know that both men and women can develop this bothersome condition.

Since men tend to shave on a daily basis they are more prone to developing razor bumps on the facial area, but women also develop them especially if they shave or wax their bikini line or have a condition called hirsutism associated with excessive growth of facial hair.

For men, the condition can be embarrassing because in many cases they give the appearance of acne like breakouts on the face and neck with dark coloration even well into adulthood.

African-Americans and people with curly hair are statistically more prone to this condition, but all ethnic groups can develop the condition to a certain degree.  Shaving causes the end of the hairs to become sharp making it easier for them to penetrate the sides of the follicles and grow inward. The closer you shave the worse it gets because the sharper hairs grow under the skin and curl leading to an inflammatory reaction. You might find that alternative hair removal methods such as waxing, depilatory or hair removal creams are more favorable, but some individuals still get bumps and irritation with these techniques of hair removal as well. Electrolysis or laser treatments are methods of hair removal that are designed to kill the hair follicles or cause hair reduction so that the hair re-growth is softer, finer and the ends are rounded rather than sharp reducing the occurrence of bumps and irritation. This greatly reduces the risks of ingrown hair or razor bumps.  When the hair follicles are curved, electrolysis can be a more challenging procedure to perform.

The pros and cons of alternative hair removal methods:

1. Depilatory or hair removal creams. These are harsh chemicals that literally melt and dissolve the hair. The hair grows back at the same rate as shaving but because the chemicals are so irritating to the skin it is recommended that you do not use them more often than once or twice per week. In most cases, these creams and lotions are very smelly and many people find the odor quite offensive. These chemicals are not always safe for use on the face because some individuals are so sensitive to the products that the skin becomes burned and irritated.  In this case, some other method of shaving has to be used.
2. Electrolysis. This is a good alternative, however it is quite painful. Even with topical anesthetics most people complain about the discomfort of this hair removal method. This treatment uses an electrical current to kill the hair follicle. Some of the hairs may grow back over time but it will be finer and softer in texture and less likely to form razor bumps. To get a final result can take many months or years depending upon the extent of hair growth that is present.
3. Laser hair removal. This is by far the best alternative. An intense beam of light penetrates the skin surface to reach the hair follicles and damages the hair at the roots. It is far less painful than electrolysis and most people do not even require any topical creams to numb the skin. You may feel a light pinch or a sensation similar to the snap of an elastic band but very few people find this intolerable. The results are long lasting and can at times be permanent. After 6 months or so you may see growth of finer hairs which are less likely to cause bumps and irritation. Each additional treatment you receive will result in fewer and fewer hairs until eventually hair growth is reduced greatly. As an added benefit, many people find a big improvement in their skin after the laser hair removal treatment. Scars are reduced and their skin tone is more even.

If you or someone you know suffers from embarrassing and painful razor bumps or ingrown hairs you should set up an appointment to book a hair removal consultation.  All of your questions about laser hair removal will be answered and a goal with realistic expectations can be determined.

Today is a good today to get started on eliminating the pain, discomfort, and distraction that this can cause to your appearance.