Cheap Trick: Do Away with Razor Bumps and Ingrown Hairs

I was watching a video by DulceCandy87 titled “How to Remove Acne Scars,” and in it, she reviews a line of skin and makeup products that were sent to her for the purpose of review by blinc and resurf.a.stic. One of the products she reviewed was a skin product that would help treat ingrown hairs (resurf.a.stic ingrown hair). This product got me thinking. While, I do not doubt that the product works, as she says that she’s used it and likes it, why would I pay $40, when there are cheaper, and easier-to-find alternatives to help you avoid the dreaded razor bump and ingrown hair?

I am not writing this post to discredit the product that DulceCandy87 talks about in her video. Hey, if it works, then there is yet another tool in your arsenal with which to battle this dreaded skin irritation. My intention with this post is to bring to your attention another possible solution that you may very well already have in your medicine cabinet. If you don’t already own a tube of this, then it’s easy to find at any local drugstore, and it will not put a dent in your pocketbook. If it works for you, then you can keep the $40 you would have spent on the ingrown hair treatment by blinc, and use it to buy something more fun, like possibly some of the blinc cosmetics that DulceCandy87 discusses in her video, or any other product your little heart desires.

Ok, so what is this cheap treatment? Good old Neosporin. That’s right. This antibacterial cream can be used to do more than just treat cuts and scrapes. So, I suppose this can be added to my list of multitasking products, alongside jojoba oil and Carmex.

I use Neosporin (or really the generic Target version for some extra money-saving bliss) to prevent razor bumps and ingrown hairs along the bikini line region, and I’ve got to tell you, it’s certainly worked for me. I know that for many, bathing suit season is over, but down here in Florida, it’s still in full swing (and probably will be for a few more months, seeing as we are still experiencing 90+ degree temperatures). The heat, combined with friction from your undies (or swimsuit) or pants on freshly-shaved sensitive skin is just a recipe for razor bumps and ingrown hairs. And who wants to sport a swimsuit with icky-looking red bumps anywhere on their body, let alone around the bikini region? Even if you are not sporting a swimsuit these little bumps are pests. Not only are they eyesores, but they are particularly uncomfortable, especially when your unmentionables and clothes rub up against them, irritating them even more.

So, what’s a gal to do? Stop grooming? If that’s not an option you want to consider, then let Neosporin come to your rescue. Simply shave as usual — preferably using some sort of shaving cream, dry shaving only makes the problem worse — and when you get out of the shower apply a thin layer of Neosporin. Why does this work? It's simple. First, it provides a barrier for friction against your gentle skin. Second, Neosporin is a form of antibiotic that inhibits the growth of bacteria, which is why it keeps your scrapes and cuts from becoming infected. When you shave, bacteria can more easily get in to your pores/hair follicles (which is only made easier when it’s hot outside, bacteria breeding ground, and you’ve got clothing creating friction and rubbing that bacteria into your skin). When you apply Neosporin, you help keep that bacteria from growing in your hair follicle, clogging it, and causing ingrown hairs and razor bumps.

Another good practice, shave in the same direction as your hair grows, this way, you are not pushing against the grain, causing the hair to get pushed in to the pore and result in an ingrown hair. If you must shave against he grain to get that close shave, especially in the bikini region, then be sure to use Neosporin afterwards.

Well, there you have it, a money-saving beauty tip. I read this tip in a beauty magazine over the summer and a razor-bump-free summer, and hopefully a razor-bump-free life, and hopefully so will you.