Razor Bumps on Neck

It is a widespread fear of many men who settle into a barber’s chair – “will I leave here with small bumps parading along my neck?” After a fresh shave, the threat of razor bumps are a reality and pretty hard to combat once you’ve traveled down its lumpy road, especially if you’re an African American male. Don’t you think it’s time you prepare yourself with the necessary knowledge so you can combat this distasteful condition?

Appearance

If you’ve shaven too close to the skin, new hairs can become disrupted as they attempt to follow a normal pattern of growth. Incoming hairs curl over and then burrow into the follicles found under the skin, which can lead to the unattractive bumps that can decorate the back of your neck after a fresh shave. When the follicle becomes inflamed – a red spot appears on the skin that is sore to the touch.

In African American males, the bumps are usually flesh colored, ranging from shades of brown to purple. Fairer skin will display pink to red to yellow to purple bumps depending on the severity of the condition. Unfortunately, razor bumps left untreated on the neck can lead to keloid formation – a condition quite familiar in the African American male population.

Causes

The razor bumps that appear on the neck are not to be ignored, as their appearance is a sign of an inflammatory response to the growth of bacteria or the presence of an infection. In order to manage this condition, it is best to learn the causes behind this common occurrence. They include:

a) Using Handheld Razors:

If you shave the neck against the grain, you run the risk of developing pointy hairs with sharp ends that can burrow back into the skin. When using a handheld razor – make sure to shave in the direction that your hair is growing.

b) Inadequate Skin Preparation:

It is suggested to allow your shower to get nice and hot so that the steam can open up your pores and prepare the skin for a fresh shave. Make sure to use a cleanser to remove any grime that could cause an infection (in the case of a razor nick). Razor bumps are known to attack the skin of a shaver who has left their neck dry, inflexible, unwashed, and with closed pores.

c) Very Close Shaves:

Razor bumps arise when hairs are cut too close to the skin layer and later fail to grow out of the skin at a straight angle.

d) Over-Shaving:

Since the skin on the back of the neck is usually quite smooth, it is suggested to avoid irritation by limiting the number of times you go over a patch of hair to two.

e) Clipping Guard and Clippers:

If you gain the assistance of a professional when it comes to shaving your neck, it is wise to request a clipping guard to prevent a shave that is closer than you’d like. Those who pay a visit to the local barber should be aware of the damage that unsanitary clippers can cause. To make sure your barber has your best interest in mind – ask if they are using a product, such as Barbicide, to clean their clippers.

f) Shaving an Infected Region:

Razor bumps will only worsen if you continue to shave an infected region before it has completely healed. Running a sharp razor blade over already existing hair bumps can lead to serious forms of infection or permanent scarring.

g) Dead Skin Particles:

When hair follicles become clogged with particles, such as dead skin cells, new hair growth will emerge at an angle. This is one of the main reasons that hair bumps attack the skin.