Razor bumps are a problem that men constantly have to deal with a few days after they shave. Curiously, this problem can happen to women also when hair removal is not complete or when they shave as a hair removal method. The problem is one caused by a hair growing within the skin instead of outside it. The cause for this happening ironically lies in shaving blades being too efficient at their job and sometimes cutting too deeply into the skin. When this happens, the inclination of the hair can end up changing and instead of growing at a ninety degree angle to the skin, will grow out sideways further into the skin. The condition is also known as an ingrown hair. The condition can be painful if in the area of the neck, causing a pimple-like protrusion. There is no medication for this problem and all you can do is to ensure that you are more careful while shaving and that you inspect and pull out hairs from the skin when it does happen.
Hair is made up of a protein called keratin. This protein is responsible for hair and fingernails. It is one of the toughest substances in the nature and a minor molecular change to it allows certain animals to even use it in creating shells. The human hair itself is no weakling and is as tough as steel of the same thickness when it comes to shaving. This is the reason why it is important to take your time while shaving. The mistake that most men make when they shave is that they don’t allow the shaving cream to soften the hair before shaving. This means that you end up making several passes over the same region causing injury and cuts, which can cause the hair growth to be skewed. There is some belief that shaving against the grain is also a causative factor. Most people just end up switching to a double or single blade once this problem starts to occur with some frequency.
To treat this at home, shave, and then inspect the area of the bump. Ideally, you would be able to see a small hair that looks like a piece of stubble stuck to the skin. Take a tooth pick and try and lift this hair upright. If this is the offending hair then it will come out of the skin. Make it a point to pull this follicle out as it might be a recurrent problem.