Razor Bumps

I am a 26 year-old man and I have been getting lots of little red bumps on my face after I shave. Is there anything I can do to treat them? Otherwise, I think I have pretty good skin.

It sounds like you may have a condition called pseudofolliculitis barbae or PFB, which is the technical term for persistent inflammation caused by shaving. Both men and women can suffer from these "razor bumps" that are often a result of the hair curling back into the skin instead of growing straight out of the hair follicle. The skin is usually red and irritated around the ingrown hairs and can become infected if the condition persists. The most effective treatment for PFB is to just not shave at all. But, if growing a beard is not your personal style, here are a few alternatives:

• Adjust your shaving routine. Since shaving too closely can trigger razor bumps, try using a single blade razor that won't shave too close, always shave with the grain, and consider shaving every other day.
• Be gentle. Shave immediately after a hot shower or soften the beard with a hot washcloth for a few minutes and avoid alcohol-based toners and after shave lotions that can be irritating.
• Let the skin heal. Try giving your skin a break and refrain from shaving for a few days when you are more inflamed and treat the affected areas with an over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream, which can be soothing.
• Prevent future outbreaks. Start with a simple skin care routine that includes a facial wash with buffing grains to polish the skin and chemical exfoliating lotion with glycolic or salicylic acid that can help prevent those razor bumps from forming in the first place. If your skin is dry, alternate your exfoliating cleanser with a creamier version and keep your skin hydrated with an oil-free moisturizer. Since irritated skin is more vulnerable to UV damage, don't forget your daily sunscreen and a post-shave balm with antioxidant protection is also a good idea to preserve your youthful skin.