Razor bumps
Also called: Pseudofolliculitis barbae, Shaving bumps
Razor bumps are inflamed bumps that happen when shaved or plucked hairs grow back into the skin and trigger irritation.
At a glance
- Razor bumps are common on the beard area, neck, jawline, underarms, and bikini line.
- They are not always acne, even when they look like small pimples.
- A less close shave often helps more than a stronger aftershave.
On this page
The short answer
Razor bumps are inflamed bumps caused by shaved or plucked hairs growing back into the skin.
The medical term is pseudofolliculitis barbae. It is especially common where hair is coarse, curly, closely shaved, or repeatedly irritated[1].
How to use the word
Razor bumps often appear on:
- beard areas
- jawline
- neck
- underarms
- bikini line
- legs
They can look like acne, but the trigger is hair re-entering the skin and creating inflammation. Reviews of pseudofolliculitis barbae treatment[2] consistently point back to shaving technique and hair-removal choices as central parts of management.
Mads's practical read
Do not answer razor bumps with a stinging aftershave and heroic pressure.
Soften the hair, use slip, shave less closely, moisturise after, and treat clogged pores separately if acne is also present. The skin does better when shaving stops being a tiny injury routine.
Keep reading
Dictionary
Acne mechanica
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Comedone
Ingredient
Salicylic acid
Ingredient
Benzoyl peroxide
Ingredient
Panthenol
Ingredient
Allantoin
Condition
Acne and blemishes
Condition
Sensitive skin
Condition
Pigmentation
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Common questions
Are razor bumps acne?
Not always. Razor bumps come from hairs re-entering the skin after shaving or plucking. Acne forms from clogged and inflamed follicles.
How do I prevent razor bumps?
Use less pressure, shave with the grain, avoid repeated passes, moisturise after shaving, and consider trimming instead of a very close shave.
Citations
- Perry PK, Cook-Bolden FE, Rahman Z, Jones E, Taylor SC. Defining pseudofolliculitis barbae in 2001: a review of the literature and current trends. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2002;46(2 Suppl Understanding):S113-S119. - PMID 11807451
- Ogunbiyi A. Pseudofolliculitis barbae; current treatment options. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2019;12:241-247. - PMC6585396