Are your armpits covered in pimples? Learn to shave properly!

Where Does This Redness Come From? Or Why Do We Suffer After Shaving?

Shaving irritation, underarm pimples and other similar ailments result from the body coming into contact with the razor blade. Shaving with a razor is a form of mechanical exfoliation that directly affects the skin and can lead to a breach of the epidermal barrier.

Excessive or simply frequent exfoliation is a kind of "stressor" for the skin, because the aforementioned barrier is breached every time we get rid of hair with a razor blade . Therefore, the layer that is supposed to protect the body from external factors and maintain an appropriate level of moisture does not fulfill its function to the appropriate degree.

A weakened epidermal barrier is associated with a greater risk of water loss through the skin and “opens up” to microorganisms and substances from the external environment that are not always friendly to the body – this in turn often causes dryness and irritation of the skin, inflammation, allergic reactions and even premature ageing!

Pimples, ingrown hairs, razor burn – from A to Z

These are the three most common side effects of shaving your armpits. Let's talk about them one by one to better understand where they come from and identify the problems or mistakes we're making in our skincare routines. Trust me, when it comes to them, I could label myself "GUILTY"!

Why do I have spots under my armpits?

You know what I mean. Instead of the desired smoothness, you have unpleasantness - the skin is covered with small bumps resembling pimples, which also itch and burn . What's there to hide (well, sometimes you would like to hide them), they don't look aesthetic at all.

The whole mess is caused by the fact that, as they emerge from the hair follicle, the regrowing hair can stray, encounter resistance in the form of the epidermis, turn around and enter the territory of another follicle , which lies right next to it. The body reacts to this invasion by initiating inflammation – our heroine, a pimple, forms around the hair.

That's why it's so important to regularly remove excess dead skin before you start shaving your body. The stratum corneum (Latin: stratum corneum ) is the outer part of the epidermis that is exfoliated. Its excess can make it harder for hair to reach the skin's surface, so if you don't exfoliate your skin regularly, there's a risk that at a later stage, the hair won't be able to get out of the follicle when it grows back - and then armpit pimples are literally a hair's breadth away.

Where do ingrown hairs come from?

Trapped in the epidermis, often surrounded by a purulent pimple, irritating and itchy – ingrown hairs are most often:

• on the face,
• on your feet,
• in intimate parts of the body
• in the armpit area (you'd like to say: "Armpit-armpit-armpit! And that's it!", but getting rid of hair is a slightly longer, although not at all difficult process - more on that in a moment).

Where do they come from? The cut hairs have sharp tips that try to resurface the skin – and if they tend to curl and grow at the wrong angle, the problem of ingrown hairs becomes increasingly real. It’s the same when you pull on the skin while shaving. The body treats such hair as an intruder, a foreign body – hence the inflammation.

How to prevent it? The simplest answer, often given by experts (including The National Health Service, Society of Cosmetic Scientists and the Société Française de Cosmétologie, NYU Langone Medical Center), is… “don’t shave” (can you feel that facepalm on your face, too?) . If that’s a realistic prospect for you – great! And if not – below I’ve prepared a few practical tips on how to avoid the problem with the help of a gentle mechanical exfoliation , a moisturizing shaving cream, and an oil that will help regenerate the skin.

Where do skin irritations after shaving come from?

Unlike razor bumps under the arms, the irritation is a direct reaction to the skin coming into contact with the razor or the cosmetics used, and not to the behavior of the regrowing hair. Skin irritation may be accompanied by a rash (so-called dermatitis). Discomfort and redness last from a few hours to a few days . They are caused by several factors:

• the composition of the cream, gel or foam we use,
• too fast razor movements and too much pressure on the skin,
• poor glide on the skin,
• shaving against the direction of hair growth,
• contact of the razor with previously irritated skin,
• blunt razor blade,
• bacteria.

Regular, intensive shaving of the armpit skin increases the risk of irritation, redness and discoloration in this area, BUT modern cosmetology offers a number of solutions that help eliminate or at least alleviate these ailments - at the forefront of them is the use of humectants (i.e. simply moisturizing substances) and oils containing fatty acids, which include hemp oil .

How to deal with armpit pimples after shaving?

“I get pimples after shaving my armpits.” “I have ingrown hairs.” “My armpits look like strawberries.” First of all, you are not alone. Second, based on my own experiences and scientific sources, I have developed a mini-scenario for you on how NOT to get red hot after using a razor .

Before you grab the razor

Get ready (and not for armpit pimples!). The whole process should start with exfoliating excess dead skin from your armpits. Why? You will smooth the area that the razor will go over and minimize the risk of nicks and ingrown hairs . The result will be soft-to-the-touch skin.

Also remember that deodorant or antiperspirant residue and sweat that accumulate under your arms can clog your razor. Cleansing and exfoliating your skin before shaving is a recipe for smoothness and a super important part of a safe underarm hair removal ritual.

And what is the best way to do this? You can use a gentle, natural peeling adapted to sensitive body parts , one whose formula will be friendly even to allergy sufferers - the gentler the formula, the lower the risk of irritation and allergic reaction to the cosmetic.

Here you will learn: how to exfoliate correctly .

Another option is, for example, an Egyptian loofah sponge . Thanks to its structure, it effectively exfoliates and pleasantly massages the body, so you can combine business with pleasure! Just remember to wash it thoroughly after each wash and leave it to dry, and to replace it with a new sponge frequently to maintain hygiene (a wet loofah with skin residue is an ideal environment for multiplying microorganisms).

In addition to mechanical exfoliants, there are also chemical ones on the market. A good idea is to use a face wash gel with a small concentration of AHA or BHA acids. This is definitely a gentler option, so if strong exfoliation doesn't work for your skin, try this method.

Read also our article " Unpleasant sweat smell – where does it come from? ".

Swimmingly

Okay, the skin is ready. Now wet it with warm water - remember that dry shaving is painful and increases the risk of skin damage, drying and long-term irritation - personally and quite honestly I DO NOT RECOMMEND.

The next step is to use a suitable shaving product to glide the razor, soften the hair, moisturise and soothe particularly sensitive skin – it will really need it.

Shaving gel or cream is a great and safest option, especially if it contains ingredients that soothe irritated skin; these include vitamin E, aloe vera, yeast extract, jojoba oil, shea butter, green or white tea, chamomile, panthenol or allantoin .

Avoid substances that may be irritating. I mean various scents ( parfum ) or artificial dyes that may cause an allergic reaction. A nice scent and a nice color are not worth redness and burning irritation. Seriously.

If you don't have a gel or cream at hand, you can use other products (hypoallergenic soap, body wash, shampoo or hair conditioner, moisturizing cream, body oil), but remember that these are rather emergency options and will not give you the same results as a specialized product that has been tested strictly for shaving and contact with the sensitive skin of the armpits, which is a biologically specific area of ​​the body .

Got it? So, get to work: apply enough product to thoroughly cover the area you want to remove hair from and to help the razor move across the skin. Make sure to always use a sharp razor – a dull one tends to cut, slow down, and force more (and therefore risky) pressure on the skin.

Absolutely do not press the razor against your body, just let it "fall" and adapt to the surface on its own (this is much easier to feel if you use a reusable razor - they are usually made of metal, and therefore heavy enough that you do not need to actively press them into the skin to "catch" even very short hairs).

Shave your hair in the direction of its growth, so as not to provoke ingrown hairs and, as a result, the formation of unsightly skin lesions. I know that shaving against the grain sounds like a very tempting option, because you feel that thanks to this, not a single hair will escape the razor, but it really is not an optimal solution - the prospect of struggling with purulent pimples and painfully ingrown hairs should effectively dissuade you from such a step. Ouch. It works on me!

Above all, take your time, be careful and rinse the razor every time you feel that it is starting to get thick (skin, cut hair and sticky, rich shaving cosmetics unfortunately tend to clog the razor). Conversely, if necessary, add a little cream or gel to the skin to restore the lost slip and smooth things out. Finally, rinse everything thoroughly.

How to moisturize armpits after shaving?

Congratulations, the hardest part is behind you. However, red spots under the armpits like to play tricks and appear out of the blue. So what else should you do to have a clear conscience and comprehensively take care of your armpit skin after this harsh procedure?

Of course, to moisturize and soothe it properly. Studies, although few, indicate the effectiveness of several types of formulations in the care of armpit skin after shaving. These are recipes containing:

• natural emollients (e.g. sunflower, hemp, rapeseed oils),
• moisturizing substances = humectants (e.g. glycerin, aloe extract, panthenol),
• anti-inflammatory substances (e.g. aloe, allantoin, panthenol, ectoine).

By using cosmetics that contain the above ingredients, you will take care of rebuilding the damaged lipid barrier of the skin under the arms, avoid itching, soothe irritation and prevent ingrown hairs and pimples after shaving the armpits . This can be a cosmetic in the form of a cream, gel or oil. And you know what? Their formulas do not have to be complicated to fulfill their function. The main thing is to remember to use them after every shave, and do not forget that moisturizing should be an integral part of the entire ritual, not just a nice addition .

Oh, and it would be good if you wore breathable clothes (cotton, for example) so that air could circulate freely and sensitive skin would not rub against synthetic material. In addition, using a mild deodorant or antiperspirant will help you avoid burning.

Voilà! Did it go smoothly?

Red bumps under the armpits after shaving are a thing of the past. Well, provided that you read my article carefully. :) There is only one conclusion: it can be smooth and pleasant, but it requires meticulously going through each of the stages of proper armpit shaving:

1. exfoliation before shaving,
2. shaving with a sharp razor and cream/gel,
3. moisturizing and soothing the skin.

You may now need to adjust your ritual to these rules. Please consider them as good advice – tested on my own skin, from me to you. Good luck!

Adebola Ogunbiyi, Pseudofolliculitis barbae; current treatment options , "Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology" 2019, vol. 12, p. 241-247, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6585396/ [accessed on 09/06/2022].
Best practices for ingrown hair or 'razor bumps' , Science Daily, https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/01/150128170057.htm [accessed on 09/06/2022].
L. Chularojanamontri, Papapit Tuchinda, Kanokvalai Kulthanan, Kamolwan Pongparit, Moisturizers for Acne , "The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology" 2014, vol. 7, i. 5, p. 36-44, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4025519/ [access of 09/06/2022].
RL Evans, RE Marriott, M. Harker, Axillary skin: biology and care , "International Journal of Cosmetic Science" 2012, vol. 34, p. 389-395, https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1468-2494.2012.00729.x [accessed on 09/06/2022].
NN Ferguson, Pseudofolliculitis barbae: Razor bumps , "University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics", https://uihc.org/health-topics/pseudofolliculitis-barbae-razor-bumps [accessed 09/06/2022].
GS Hahn, DO Thuseon, "Formulations and methods for reducing skin irritation", European patent , EP 0 801 570 B1 , 1994, https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/7c/c5/70/baa56d183a3e2d/EP0801570B1.pdf [accessed on 09/06/2022].
D. Howard, When Razor Meets Skin: A Scientific Approach to Shaving , https://education.dermalogica.com.au/Content/docs/WhenRazorMeetsSkin.pdf [accessed on 09/06/2022].
Ingrown hair , "Mayo Clinic", https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ingrown-hair/symptoms-causes/syc-20373893 [accessed 09/06/2022].
Ingrown hairs , "The NHS website", https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/ingrown-hairs/ [accessed on 09/06/2022].
Pseudofolliculitis Barbae , "American Osteopathic College of Dermatology (AOCD)", https://www.aocd.org/page/PseudofolliculitisB [accessed on 09/06/2022].
Remedies for Razor Burn , med. rev. D. Brennan, "WebMD", https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/remedies-relieve-razor-burn [accessed on 09/06/2022].
A. Surjushe, R. Vasani, DG Saple, Aloe vera: a short review , "Indian Journal of Dermatology" 2008, vol. 53, i. 4, p. 163-166, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2763764/ [accessed on 09/06/2022].
MO Villareal, Sayuri Kume, T. Bourhim et al., Activation of MITF by Argan Oil Leads to the Inhibition of the Tyrosinase and Dopachrome Tautomerase Expressions in B16 Murine Melanoma Cells , "Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine" 2013, vol. 2013, p. 340107, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3723062/ [accessed on 09/06/2022].