Alarm! Red spots after shaving intimate areas

Why do I have red spots after shaving my intimate areas?

Pimples in the intimate areas and groin after shaving are the result of improper hair removal . Nonchalance during such a procedure (read: improper skin preparation) can result in painful and itchy red eruptions .

These are usually ingrown hairs with a vigorous accompanying inflammation of the follicles from which they grow . They very often appear in intimate areas and the groin, where the skin is particularly sensitive.

Painful, red bumps after shaving – causes

An unkept razor

A good shaving tool must, first of all, be clean and sharp enough .

Don't leave your clipper in a place where its blades will come into contact with water. Moisture is not good for them - it can cause the blades to rust, making the clipper unusable.

Remember also that an insufficiently cleaned razor, with hairs, skin cells and remnants of the shaving product remaining on it, stored in a warm and humid environment, is an ideal environment for bacteria to multiply.

It is worth replacing the razor with a new one often - with each use, the blades become blunt, which makes the shaving process much more difficult.

And if you are struggling with purulent pimples, also take a look at our article: purulent pimples after shaving intimate areas - how to get rid of them .

Dry shaving

Sharp razor + dry skin? Brrr!

I would be lying if I said that I had never shaved so quickly without first preparing my skin. Of course, I ended up like Zabłocki on soap, because instead of smooth, hairless skin I had red, painful stripes of shame and irritation .

You don't have time, you rush to grab the razor, you rush over your skin like a rally driver - and where is the place for some hydration? You see, it's worth remembering that rushing is a really bad adviser and saving those few minutes can really affect the condition of your skin!

Removing hair from uncleaned skin

Any damage to the skin is like a gateway for the bacteria that live on its surface – that is why it is so important to keep not only the razor clean, but also your body!

Strong pressure of the machine

Hey, hey, you don't have to press the blades with all your might to effectively remove hair. Remember that when you shave your skin, you're also (literally) stripping away dead skin layers. So it's a kind of mechanical exfoliation that, if too intense, can irritate your skin.

Bad timing

What do I mean? For example, a planned visit to the pool or a swim, but in the sun. Shaving before such escapades is not the best idea - prolonged exposure to the sun is not indifferent to the skin (remember how many times after a tanning session you experienced unpleasant burning and itching), as is the chlorine contained in the pool water (which can dry out and cause a feeling of "tightness").

What NOT to do when you have itchy spots?

• Don't shave skin that is irritated! Stop removing hair until the skin has healed.
• Have you scratched those itchy razor bumps? Someone here seems to like living on the edge! Doing so will only make things worse and leave you with not only unsightly but also painful wounds.

NO to tight, synthetic materials! Inappropriate underwear can increase irritation and prevent air circulation in intimate areas. Opt for comfortable, cotton panties!

Ways to deal with red bumps after shaving

How to prevent?

First of all, prevention is better than cure , so choose conscious shaving and proper skin care both before and after.

• Before removing hair, it is worth exfoliating : you will remove excess stratum corneum of the epidermis, thus minimizing the risk of ingrown hairs after shaving. Psst, be sure to check out our article on how to exfoliate correctly .
• Choose a moisturizing and soothing shaving cream that will keep your skin safe when you meet the razor. It will also help you see exactly which areas you have missed while shaving! Remember that it is safest to shave the hair in the direction it grows.

Precise hair removal is one thing, but don't forget that the skin after the procedure needs extra tenderness and moisture . Treat it with a balm or soothing oil that will cover the skin with an additional layer of protection.

How to treat?

You can't turn back time, so if it's over - don't worry, everything should go back to normal after a few days. However, spots and irritations are usually accompanied by discomfort in the form of pain or persistent itching , and these can be tried to be soothed with home remedies (or appropriate cosmetics).

So what should you use to treat razor bumps?

• Aloe! The thick gel from this plant has a moisturizing, antiseptic (i.e. it fights microorganisms living on the skin surface) and soothing effect.
• Tea tree oil can also bring you relief – it is known for its antibacterial properties. Remember, however, not to apply it alone to the skin, as it can cause irritation. Look for body care products that contain it in their composition.
• Salicylic acid is a common ingredient in acne treatment products. It also works well for razor bumps: it penetrates the sebaceous glands, which unclogs pores and soothes inflammation. Glycolic acid has a similar effect, effectively removing dead cells from the skin surface. Do not apply acids to irritated skin or fresh wounds caused by shaving, because it will significantly worsen its condition!
• Cosmetics with ingredients such as panthenol, chamomile extract, green tea are already classics of the genre. You will find them in many moisturizing balms, but pay attention to their other ingredients. To minimize the risk of skin irritation, choose mild preparations (those without fragrances, for example those intended for baby skin care, will work). Artificial perfumes can also cause an allergic reaction.

Remember, however, that in case of any doubts (or frequent recurrence of stubborn spots), it is worth visiting a dermatologist_ożki . Thanks to professional advice (and smaller or larger changes in your hair removal routine), shaving will be more efficient, and you will forget about red dots in intimate areas!

Remedies for Razor Burn , med. rev. D. Brennan, "WebMD", https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/remedies-relieve-razor-burn [accessed on April 20, 2022].
Salicylic acid , "American Chemical Society", https://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/molecule-of-the-week/archive/s/salicylic-acid.html [accessed 20/04/2022].