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RealMac · Oct 8, 2005, 11:39 AM

Ok, I'm black and have sensitive skin. After I get my hair cut short my skin always breaks out. This has been going on for over a decade and it's annoying. Have any of you used a product that helps eliminate the inflammation / redness / bumps and doesn't cost a fortune? I've seen some products advertised at different sites, but they want $25 for a small bottle. Then I wonder what actually works vs advertising hooplah. Nuts.

From another site I found this:
"Razor bumps are not uncommon to men with coarse or curly hair. They are especially common for black men, with some people estimating up to 30 or 40% of black men may experience bumps. The process of blade shaving can cut the hair at an angle, making it sharp. Curly hair then sometimes curls back toward the skin and can puncture the skin and become ingrown. This leads to red bumps and skin irritation, which can be very painful for some men. The technical name for razor bumps is pseudofolliculitis barbae (often abbreviated PFB)."

TIA

demograph68 · Oct 8, 2005, 11:51 AM

Real men don't shave.

Disgruntled Head of C-3PO · Oct 8, 2005, 11:54 AM

It is much more common in black men because the hair is curly.

At any rate, you should always use a sharp razor, shave AFTER a shower and apply some aftershave that is supposed to help with bumps. They sell some at drug stores.

Mastrap · Oct 8, 2005, 12:19 PM

SWG is right - shave after a shower when the skin is softer. This will help with the in-growing hair. So does frequent exfoliation.

ShotgunEd · Oct 8, 2005, 02:40 PM

I think he's talking about his head, not his facial hair.

Disgruntled Head of C-3PO · Oct 8, 2005, 02:44 PM

Shave with the grain of the hair not against it.

RealMac · Oct 8, 2005, 03:02 PM

Yeah, head hair, like getting a buzz cut... Not facial hair..

yukon · Oct 8, 2005, 04:27 PM

Shave in the shower, fog free mirrors are available. Try shaving at different angles.

stevesnj · Oct 8, 2005, 04:41 PM

pre-wash face with hottest water you can stand...shave with cool to tepid water, rinse off razor after every stroke. Use Moisturizing after shave like Nivea.

TheMosco · Oct 8, 2005, 07:29 PM

Originally Posted by Mastrap

SWG is right - shave after a shower when the skin is softer. This will help with the in-growing hair. So does frequent exfoliation.

You don't really want your skin to be softer, you want the hair to be softer. The reason to shave in the shower or after the shower is because the hair absorbs water and which causes it to stand up meaning it easier to trim and you get a closer shave. This is also one of the reasons why its not a good idea to shave after sleeping for a long period of time, because the hairs on the face are compacted (in addition to your face being puffy).

I am not sure how you shave your head. Whether you do it with a buzzer or the buzzer first/razor after method.

If you first buzzer your hair and then shave with a razor there are some things you can do. After getting it buzzed, I would shower and it possible soak your head in hot water. In the shower, I would go over your head with something like a luffa. I know it doesn't sound manly, but this will take off alot of dead skin. Try using a hair conditioner also. After that, shave with a razor and then follow it with the luffa again. This will take off more dead skin. Its also important to use an after shave condition to keep the skin healthy.

I hope this helps.

sknapp351 · Oct 8, 2005, 08:27 PM

One of the reasons that black guys have problems with curly hair is that most multi bladed razors cut real close.. While that is what most of us want, it can cause this issue with african-americans.
There are single bladed razors available in many stores made specifically for black guys. This helps keep the hair from getting too short and curling into the skin. The worst thing you could use in this situation would be a Mach3 or Quatro.
SAm
Here is an article about it.
http://www.headshaver.org/articles/a...zor_bumps.html

moonmonkey · Oct 8, 2005, 09:00 PM

Originally Posted by Disgruntled Head of C-3PO

Shave with the grain of the hair not against it.

Wise words from our resident grooming expert.

BRussell · Oct 8, 2005, 11:08 PM

Originally Posted by RealMac

Ok, I'm black and have sensitive skin. After I get my hair cut short my skin always breaks out.

Go retro and grow a big fro. You could even wear a bandana around it. Just think how cool that would be.

To reduce the bumps, use hydrocortisone or some other topical anti-inflammatory.

bwahahax · Oct 8, 2005, 11:58 PM

Originally Posted by demograph68

Real men don't shave.

Agreed!

Matt OS X · Oct 9, 2005, 12:51 AM

Originally Posted by bwahahax

Agreed!

FulcrumPilot · Oct 9, 2005, 01:13 AM

Plastic surgery. Peel skin off backside and place it on the face.

cheery7upper · Oct 9, 2005, 01:59 AM

shudders.... I HATE RAZOR BURN!!!!! (bumps etc) that shizt HURTS

bad_quote · Oct 9, 2005, 07:35 PM

Originally Posted by Disgruntled Head of C-3PO

Shave with the grain of the hair not against it.

Basically, a close shave is bad. Try using an electric, they don't shave nearly as close as a blade. The smoother you get your face, the more likely you'll get those bumps. Also, if you are using a blade, try using the Aveno shaving cream with a light blue cap. It's AMAZING.