The Most Effective Ways to Prevent Razor Bumps for Black Men

Getting rid of razor bumps can be a daunting task, so preventing razor bumps in the first place should be our top priority. Black men can prevent razor bumps cheaply and effectively by using the right tools and techniques. Let’s look at some of these methods:

Selecting the proper tools

There are many choices when it comes to what to use for shaving. Most of us are familiar with the standard disposable razors. They come in many varieties, notably, the single-blade and multi-blade disposable razors. Many huge brands, such as Gillette, have successfully marketed their products for many years. They market through print ads, radio, TV, and now, the internet. We have become very familiar with their brand and products so naturally we trust them. The problem is, razor shaving is not ideal for black men. Due to our hair type and the tendency for our hair to curl tightly, shaving closely with a razor is the number one cause of razor bumps in black men. If the hair is cut below the surface of the skin (this happens by pressing hard while shaving and also shaving against the gain) it tends to curl right back into the skin and cause razor bumps. For this reason, I do not recommend shaving with disposable razors, no matter the quality. Also, the end of the hair can get cut at a very sharp angle causing it to mimic little tiny daggers that are just waiting to repeatedly stab your face! Occasionally, we may find ourselves in a situation where the only thing we have is a disposable razor. Check out this article to read more about how black men can temporarily use a disposable razor to Shave Bump Free.

Many of us are also familiar with electric razors. These are marketed by some of the well-known disposable razor brands and some popular electronics companies like Philips Norelco and Braun. One of the advantages of these types of razors are that they are convenient to use anywhere; you can shave in your car on your way to work with needing a mirror, sink, shaving cream or soap. Also, you can keep them for years and use them over and over again. The problem with these types of razors are that they are designed to do the same thing as the disposable razors. They can cut the hairs on your face at very sharp angles and below the surface of your skin causing the same thing we are trying to prevent, razor bumps.

The best tool for black men to shave with and prevent razor bumps is the clipper/trimmer.

 That’s right, shaving with clippers have been proven to prevent razor bumps in black men. They can even help to get rid of razor bumps. Shaving with clippers prevents the number one cause of razor bumps, ingrown hair. Clippers generally cut the hair at or above the surface of the skin. This enables the hair to grow and curl freely above the surface of the skin, preventing irritation, inflammation and the fluid build-up that causes razor bumps. Clippers are like several mini electric scissors oscillating constantly, cutting the hair at the surface of the skin. Also, because clippers are not necessarily sharp, they do not cause as much irritation to the surface of the skin. When we shave with a disposable razor, we also remove layers of skin with the hair we shave off. Our skin then becomes more sensitive and delicate which leads to more irritation and inflammation over time.

Not all clippers are made equally.

Some clippers are infective for different reasons. There are clippers that shave too close and your results may be the same as if you were using an electric razor. Some also don’t shave close enough forcing you to press too hard and irritate your skin. Luckily for you, I can recommend two clippers that you can easily find at a department store or beauty supply store near you. They are also widely available through many online retailers. They two clippers that I recommend are:

Wahl Beard Rechargeable Trimmer (9916-817) (or whichever newer model is available)

I have used this series of trimmer from Wahl for over 10 years and have recommended them to many people who were more than satisfied with its performance. They are marketed as beard trimmers but work perfectly for black men who want to shave without getting razor bumps. They only cost around $25 and can last you for years depending on care and usage frequency. They come with an internal rechargeable battery which is a life-limited component, so we can’t expect them to last forever. But for $25 you absolutely can’t go wrong. They have performed better than more expensive trimmers that were four times their price. Also, I have saved a ton of money from not having to purchase razors. We all know how expensive it is to replace the disposable razor cartridges from the well-known brands. Also, at that price point, if you happen to lose one or break one, you won’t be devastated. I do recommend having a back-up in case you accidentally drop yours in the toilet or loose it on vacation. I usually own two of these at any given time. I keep one in the house and one in the car. They offer the same convenience as the electric razors do, in terms of portability. You do not need a sink water, shaving cream, or a mirror…once you become a pro!

Andis Professional T-Outliner Beard/Hair Trimmer

The next set of clippers that I recommend are the Andis T-Outliner. These clippers are of a professional grade and cost a bit more than the Wahls. They generally retail from around $60 -$90. You can find them at beauty supply stores, some retailers, or online. I’ve been using my original set for over 15 years now. Yes, they do last that long! They are professional grade and you’ve likely seen them in many barbershops. They are built to withstand heavy daily use, so if you own one for your personal use, it will last you for a very long time. The blades are replaceable and cost around $15. I’ve replaced the blades on mine twice since I’ve owned them. Mostly due to corrosion (leaving out on my bathroom sink) and them getting accidentally chipped after I dropped them (my clumsiness).

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Comparing Clippers For Shaving Bump Free

I can’t say whether I prefer the Andis or the Wahl. They both serve me equally as well in different ways. The Andis provides a slightly closer shave that is good for certain situations, but they are not as portable or convenient as the Wahl. Also, I don’t recommend the Andis for everyday use if you have very sensitive skin and you are at a higher risk for razor bumps because of the closer shave. You should have no problems doing what I have done and switching back and forth between these two or sticking to the Wahl and only using the Andis when you feel that you want a slightly closer shave. If you have a lighter skin tone, the Andis may be better for you because it will give you more of a “clean-shaven” appearance than the Wahl. If you are on the darker side, the Wahl will be more than sufficient. You will appear to be clean shaven unless someone is inches from your face inspecting your beard.

I would be remiss not to highlight the very minor cons that are present with clipper shaving. The main con is that clipper shaving is slower than razor shaving. Because you are not really giving yourself a clean shave, but rather, the appearance of a clean shave, you may have to go over sections of your face multiple times at different angle to get the outcome you desire. Everyone knows what its like to be in a rush and want to get done fast. At first, clipper shaving will take 2-3 more minutes than shaving quickly with a razor. Soon, you will be able to start closing that gap. Also, the portability of a wireless clipper, like the Wahl, will allow you to shave on the go, perhaps even saving time.

Another thing to note is that clippers require energy to operate. If you are out camping, or in the field – for you military folks, you may not have access to electricity or a place to charge your trimmer. For cases like these, I recommend a battery-operated model from Wahl or another brand, that will get you through the situation. Don’t forget to stock up on batteries!

Allowing your face time to relax and reset after a week of shaving.

I highly recommend not shaving on weekends. This is contrary to what a lot of websites that are supposed to help us prevent razor bumps recommend. Generally, they recommend shaving everyday to prevent the facial hair from growing enough to pierce your skin. I’ve tried this method and do not recommend it. For one, we are not actually performing a clean shave, just the appearance of one. Because of this, our facial hair will be clear of our skin and we are less likely to have it immediately curl around and pierce our skin. Secondly shaving with clippers do not create the sharp tips at the end of our facial hair that razors do, reducing the likelihood of that hair piercing our skin.

Though we do not shave with a razor and irritate our skin as much. Clippers can still cause some minor irritation. Skipping the weekends allows our face to regrow skin cells and allows the hair to grow just enough to get a nice, cleaner-looking cut on Monday morning.