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Are you struggling with ingrown hairs or razor bumps after every shave? We feel you! There's nothing more frustrating than getting a smooth, close shave only to have the dreaded red bumps form minutes later.
Unfortunately, black men are more at risk of ingrown hairs and razor bumps from shaving as a result of their course hair types.
More than any other hair type, curly hair tends to curl back into the skin when you cut it beneath your skin's surface. This results in an inflammatory reaction that triggers razor bumps, discoloration, and other skin problems.
So, what do you do when it seems you've been sentenced to a lifetime of ingrown hairs and razor bumps? Do you ditch your preferred clean-shaven to join the beard gang forever?
Luckily for you, you don't have to make that decision... Razor bumps are entirely preventable if you know to use the correct shaving technique.
We'll guide you through the most common shaving mistakes that black men make and help you shave like a boss in today's blog.
How Often Should Black Men Shave?
You're more likely to develop razor bumps the more you shave. So, shaving every day definitely isn't a great idea. Razors also remove a layer of skin cells and natural oils every time they are used, meaning that daily shaving would prevent your skin from healing properly.
But this doesn't mean you should wait forever before your next shave!
If you like that clean-shaven look, a good rule of thumb is to try to shave every other day. This gives your skin enough time to recover (which is especially important if you have sensitive skin) while also maintaining your appearance.
If you have thin facial hair or love to keep stubble, you can maintain your look with weekly shaving. The important thing is to find a shaving schedule that works for you and your skin type. After all, you want to avoid those razor bumps and ingrown hairs, not add to them!
If you're a guy that loves that full beard look, then you can probably get away with trimming your beard once a month or even less.
But, when going all out with a full beard, it's essential to keep it groomed and maintain excellent hygiene habits to avoid any potential skin problems that could occur beneath all that hair!
It's important to note that if you must keep a clean shave, you can go ahead with daily shaving — but do so carefully. You need to properly prepare your skin before shaving every day, use the correct technique, and never forget to moisturize. We'll touch on all of these topics in a bit!
Which Shaving Cream Is Best For Black Men?
We know that guys like to keep things simple, but trust us — if you want to avoid razor bumps and ingrown hairs, you need to use shaving cream!
This thick, moisturizing layer will help prevent irritation and razor burn, two of the most common problems with regular shaving. In fact, getting the right product is one of the most crucial parts of a perfect shave.
But what if your shaving cream foams a lot and makes it challenging to see where you're shaving? Well, chances are, you're not actually using shaving cream.
You see, it's pretty easy to mistake a shaving foam for shaving cream — many people do!
These foams contain alcohol and create bubbles that get in the way of an easy and clean shave. Not only that, but the harsh chemicals in these foams can dry out your skin and make razor burn more likely!
On the other hand, shaving creams typically come in tubes with the perfect texture, and they don't have foam or bubbles that make shaving difficult.
Plus, as the name suggests, they usually have a higher percentage of cream (instead of water), which helps to moisturize your skin and make the whole process more comfortable.
The primary aim of shaving cream is to protect you from razor burn, redness, and irritation.
Shaving creams reduce friction between the skin and the razor blade by introducing moisture. It also hydrates the facial hair, making it easier and more comfortable to cut.
As far as shaving creams go, VITAMAN’s Natural Shaving Cream is the best on the market!
All-natural and alcohol-free, this shaving cream has a low lather with a creamy formula for easy shaving. It contains aloe vera and coconut oil to keep your skin moisturized.
It's also PH-balanced, vegan, and prevents irritated skin and razor bumps. So, if you're looking for a shaving cream that will give you the best results, VITAMAN is the way to go!
How Can Black Men Avoid Razor Bumps?
The correct shaving technique + the right products = no razor bumps or ingrown hairs.
These essential shaving tips for black men will help you avoid numerous skin issues due to shaving:
Prep Your Skin
The first step in a proper shaving technique is to prepare your skin. Unfortunately, many men tend to skip this all-important process. If you're not used to doing pre-shave prep work, now is the time to start!
Begin by washing your face with a mild face cleanser for men. This removes dirt and excess oil from your skin without drying or irritating it. It's important to avoid using harsh or drying facial cleansers as they can irritate your skin and cause razor burn once you start shaving!
It's also important to exfoliate with a men's face scrub a few times per week. Exfoliation helps to remove dry and flaky skin while preventing ingrown hairs. Exfoliating also loosens dead skin cells, which can clog up your razor and cause irritation or redness during shaving.
Our Men’s Face Scrub uses crushed walnut shells and bamboo powder to exfoliate gently and revitalize tired, dry, or dull-looking skin. And with no artificial fragrances, it won’t leave your skin red, dry, or irritated!
Another tip is to rinse your face with warm water only. Hot water can cause scalding and dryness, and disrupt your skin's PH balance. But what Is pH balance, and why should men care?
The last stage of the skin prep is applying your shaving cream. Apply the cream to your damp face and neck using circular motions to help lift the hair away from your skin.
And now all the prep work is done, you can move on to the main event... the shave!
Use a Safety Razor and Change It Often
The type of razor you use for shaving is essential. Generally, black guys should avoid a multi-blade cartridge and opt for a single blade or safety razor. Safety razors give you better control over the process and a better shave for your course hair.
When using a safety razor, always make sure the blade is sharp! A dull blade will cause you to go over the same area multiple times, which can irritate your skin and cause those dreaded razor bumps.
Shave With the Grain
To put it simply, this means that you must shave your facial hair in the direction it grows. Unfortunately, shaving against the grain increases your chances of razor bumps and irritations, even if it gives you a closer shave.
Slow Down!
How determined are you to avoid ingrown hairs or razor bumps? If you want to prevent these unsightly bumps, you should never shave your facial hair in a hurry. Doing otherwise is a recipe for disaster.
Shaving is an activity that requires attention and precision. Getting rid of your facial hair quickly not only makes an unsightly shave but also leads to irritations and cuts.
As the old saying goes, prevention is better than cure! So instead of trying to fix your razor bumps after the fact, why not avoid them altogether by following these tips?
Apply Soothing Aftershave
After shaving, wash your face with warm water and pat dry with a clean towel. Then, apply men's aftershave balm to your shaved areas and let it absorb into your skin.
Always Moisturize
A proper shaving technique is more than the act of removing your hair... It also includes your daily skincare habits.
Always wash your face and apply men's face moisturizer every day. This ensures that your skin is clean, adequately hydrated, and always ready for a clean shave.
Recommended Shaving Products
So, you've made it to the end...
You should now know how to prevent ingrown hairs and rock your clean shaves with confidence. Be sure to spread the news to other black guys!
Now I know what you're thinking... "But I don't want to go out and source all the needed products!"
No worries, my friend. As always, VITAMAN has you covered with our Barber Quality Shaving Kit! This kit contains everything you need for the perfect wet shave, including:
- Our non-irritating Organic Face Wash gently removes dirt, oil, and other pollutants from the skin before you shave.
- Our Natural Pre-Shave Oil with Jojoba Seed Oil provides a protective barrier, reducing the risk of razor burn.
- Our Organic Shaving Gel is 100% crystal clear, so you can see exactly where you're shaving, with Aloe Vera and Allantoin working together to soothe your face.
- Our natural cooling Aftershave Balm cools, soothes, and hydrates your skin with Aloe Vera Leaf Juice and Menthol.
- And the final step, our quick-absorbing All-Natural Face Moisturizer, gives your face another boost of hydration! Coconut Oil moisturizes your face, reduces the possibility of any post-shave irritation, and protects your skin from UV rays - while Shea Butter helps soothe your skin, leaving it cool, calm, and smooth.
The best part is that this kit comes with a travel-friendly toiletry bag to keep everything organized while you're on the go! Keep your toiletries and grooming products safe with this neat package that's easy to fit in your bag, luggage, or suitcase.
Add it to your cart today, and you're guaranteed to have a worry-free shave when you hit the ground...
