7 Tips on Preventing Razor Bumps ...

Pouring cold water over freshly shaved skin will close up the open pores. This tends to eliminate a lot of the bumps that appear because of heat related issues. When you shave and then put on clothing, the warm moisture is trapped right next to your skin. Rinsing with cold water will not only close pores, but it will also cool your skin down.

Don’t press the razor hard against your skin. It’s also a good idea to stay clear of the 3 and 4 blade razors if you are prone to razor bumps after shaving. Passing over an area more than 2 times is often the main culprit of razor bumps. If you are using a razor with 3 or 4 blades and still passing the razor over your skin 2 or 3 times, that's like shaving the same spot 6 to 12 times! The less contact the razor has with your skin, the better. Be sure to use a new razor, instead of trying to squeeze one more shave out of an old rusty one.

Speaking of rusty razors, these would definitely fall into the 'questionable razor' category. If your razor is crusted with a buildup of shaving foam, packed with tiny hairs, or looks odd in any way, swap it out for a new one or a new blade.

Starting with a clean surface will help you get a closer shave, as well as prevent the onset of most razor bumps. I like to use a moisturizing body wash, since I don't feel my skin can ever have too much moisturizer!

I remember lathering up my legs with a bar of soap when I was in middle school. It wasn't until much later in life that I found out just how wonderful shaving foam or gel was. The best kind of shaving gel was a type designed especially for women. It was loaded with extra moisturizer. I have a couple of friends who swear by shaving oil, but I've personally never tried it.

Most people shave against the direction hair grows, in order to get a closer shave. Dragging a razor across hair that is growing in the opposite direction is like petting a cat's back from tail to head; it causes irritation. The cat will simply get up and leave or give you a good swat, but your skin tends to put up a fuss by displaying a few red bumps. For the most part, I try to shave in the direction of the hair growth, but there are a few spots that just can't be made smooth by this shaving method.

Have you ever tried shaving off a patch of hair without any water at all? Not only does wetting the hair make it easier to get the shaving gel to foam up nicely, but warm water will make the hair softer. When the hair is softer, it makes it much easier for the razor to cut.

I hope these 7 tips on preventing razor bumps will be useful to you the next time you shave. Some people can get away with shaving in any old direction and using the cheapest type of soap available and still not get razor bumps. Unfortunately, I have to rely on these tips instead. What tips do you use to prevent razor bumps after shaving?

Top Photo Credit: Anders Båtstrand