Ingrown hairs develop when hair starts to grow back into the skin, rather than up and out. After removing hair by shaving, waxing, or plucking, the hair may curl and turn inward. As the new skin cells grow over the hair, it becomes trapped and causes a bump to form.

Razor bumps can develop on any area of the body where a person shaves or removes hair, including the face, head, legs, underarms, and pubic area.

In this article, learn about how to treat razor bumps quickly and how to prevent them from forming in the future.

Treatment

Razor bumps can range in size from small to large, and they can be red or have a white, pus-filled bump.

Although nothing can make them go away instantly, there are several strategies that can help remove them faster and allow the skin to heal. We discuss these strategies in the sections below.

1. Use salicylic acid

Using products that contain salicylic acid can help heal the skin around razor bumps.

Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid that helps exfoliate, or peel, skin cells. It can penetrate oil glands in the skin to unclog pores as well as fight inflammation.

Salicylic acid works to alleviate razor bumps and slough off dead skin cells. This allows the ingrown hair to make its way out of the pore. It also reduces the appearance of the bump.

Salicylic acid can also help treat acne, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), so it may be a good option for people who experience both acne and razor bumps.

Various products contain salicylic acid, including cleansers, toners, and lotions. These products are available in drug stores and online.

2. Try glycolic acid

Like salicylic acid, glycolic acid helps the skin peel by removing old cells from the surface of the skin. Glycolic acid is an alpha-hydroxy acid.

Razor bumps develop when excess skin cells clog the pores and trap the hair inside. Glycolic acid can help get those cells out of the way and allow the hair to come to the surface.

Because it speeds up the skin’s natural sloughing process, a glycolic acid product can help razor bumps clear up more quickly and give the skin a smoother appearance.

Products that contain glycolic acid are available to buy online.

3. Tweeze

If the ingrown hair is visible, it may be helpful to use sterile, pointed tweezers to pull it out.

Removing the trapped hair could get rid of the razor bump quickly. A person should sterilize the tweezers with alcohol and cleanse the skin and hands with soap and water before tweezing.

If the hair is not visible on the surface of the skin, using tweezers could make the problem worse. The tweezers could injure the skin, causing more irritation and infection.

A person should not attempt to pick or squeeze the bumps, as they could get worse or cause scarring.

4. Use scrubs with caution

If a person has sensitive skin, they should use scrubs with caution.

Sometimes, a mechanical or physical scrub can remove dead skin cells that plug the pores and keep hairs trapped inside. These types of skin care scrub may contain sugar, salt, ground up fruit pits, or tiny beads.

Scrubs may remove debris and free ingrown hairs by physically sloughing off dead skin cells.

Some people may have a skin reaction to the rough texture of scrubs, especially those with sensitive or inflamed skin. If the skin is red, irritated, or sensitive, use scrubs with caution.

Skin scrubs are available in many drug stores and online.

5. Gently brush the skin

Another option for removing dead skin cells and debris clogging the pores is using a soft brush in the areas a person shaves. Some people use a skin care brush or a soft toothbrush.

A brush can help guide the hair out of the clogged pore so that it does not become trapped underneath.

Brushing the area each day may help remove current razor bumps and prevent new ones from forming.

People can buy special skin brushes in some drug stores and online.

6. Use a warm washcloth

Applying a warm, wet washcloth to the skin can help soften the skin and draw the ingrown hair out, especially when a person pairs this technique with one of the other treatments above.

Similarly, a person may wish to steam the area in a hot shower or sauna.

Razor bumps vs. razor burn

Razor bumps are not the same thing as razor burn.

Razor burn is a type of skin irritation that the friction of the razor causes. It tends to cause areas of redness and irritation immediately after shaving.

Razor burn can occur if a person does not properly lubricate their skin with shaving gel or cream before shaving. It may also occur if the person uses a dull razor or has skin that is sensitive to friction.

Razor bumps, on the other hand, can develop several days after hair removal, once the hair has had time to grow into the skin and create a blockage.

Prevention

There are several things a person can do to help prevent razor bumps from forming.

If none of these measures help, however, a person may wish to see a doctor so they can evaluate the bumps.

Some prevention tips include:

Shave less often

If possible, a person should try to shave every other day, or even less frequently. This can minimize the risk of hairs being too short to grow out of the skin, thereby decreasing the risk of ingrown hairs.

Use an electric razor

Shaving close to the skin cuts the hair very short. This increases the chance that the hair will become ingrown as it starts to grow back.

A person can use an electric razor on a low setting to keep the hair slightly longer. This makes it less likely that it will turn back into the skin.

Consider a retinoid product

It takes several weeks for a retinoid product to reach its full results, so it is not a quick fix. However, it may help prevent razor bumps as well as acne.

Retinoids come in over-the-counter creams, serums, and cleansers. A person can also get stronger retinoids with a prescription. Prescription retinoids include tretinoin (Retin-A), adapalene (Differin), and tazarotene (Tazorac).

Prepare properly

A person can use a shaving cream to lower their risk of razor bumps.

Before shaving or plucking, a person can lower their risk of razor bumps by getting the skin ready. The following steps may help:

• Cleanse the skin with a product that contains salicylic acid or glycolic acid to help clear pores and remove excess skin cells from the surface.
• Shave only when the skin is very wet, either during or immediately after a shower. Or, place a warm, wet towel on the area for 5 minutes before shaving.
• Use a shaving cream or gel appropriate for the person’s skin type. People who experience acne may wish to opt for a shaving gel that is safe for acne-prone skin. Those with dry skin should choose a product that contains moisturizer.
• Avoid skin care products that contain irritating ingredients, which could make inflammation worse.
• Use a fresh, sharp razor.
• Clean the razor with alcohol before and after each use to keep it free of bacteria.

Try another hair removal technique

Some people may wish to try hair removal creams, or depilatories, which dissolve the hair and reduce the risk of razor bumps.

However, hair removal creams contain chemicals that can irritate some people’s skin. A person should not use these products if their skin is already red, inflamed, or sensitive.

Another option is laser hair removal. Dermatologists and other healthcare providers can perform this technique. The AAD state that laser hair removal requires multiple treatments to produce results, but the hair tends to grow back finer and lighter than before.

Summary

Razor bumps generally do not cause serious health problems but their appearance can be bothersome and can affect a person’s confidence.

If home remedies do not work, consider seeing a doctor or dermatologist to discuss other options, such as a prescription skin cream or laser hair removal.

In this article, we look at home remedies and medical treatments for dark spots on black skin. We also look at methods of prevention.

Causes

Acne can cause dark spots and scarring.

Dark spots may occur on black skin when the skin overproduces melanin. Melanin is the substance that gives skin its color.

Factors that can trigger excess melanin production include sun exposure and hormonal changes, such as those that occur during pregnancy.

Dark spots can also occur as a result of inflammation or trauma to the skin, such as from:

Even everyday skin care practices can contribute to the development of dark spots. Using harsh scrubs, waxing, and shaving can all cause minor skin trauma that leads to skin changes.

How to get rid of dark spots

The treatment that a person requires will depend on their skin type and the severity of the discoloration. Dark spots are not usually harmful, so it may not be necessary to seek treatment unless a person finds them bothersome.

Treatments include:

The “wait and see” approach

In some cases, no treatment may be the best option, as the spots could go away over time.

For example, this may be the case for some types of hyperpigmentation that occur during pregnancy or those that appear after an acne pimple goes away.

In the meantime, the use of sun protection can help prevent the spots from getting darker.

Removal of the cause

If the discoloration is the result of a skin care product or certain medications, then stopping the use of these products may prevent the formation of new dark spots.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), once a person removes the cause of the spots, any existing ones will typically fade within 6 to 12 months. However, daily sunscreen use is important to help the area fade and prevent the sun from darkening it.

Darker spots may take years to fade, however. In these situations, medical treatments or skin lightening products may help.

Treatment of underlying medical conditions

Proper management of existing skin conditions, such as acne or psoriasis, is likely to help stop new spots from appearing.

Any dark spots that are already on the skin due to these conditions may then fade away over time.

Sunscreen

Adequate sun protection is advisable for everyone, regardless of skin type or color, yet research suggests that sunscreen use is especially low among non-Hispanic black people.

The sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays are responsible for most dark skin spots. The UV rays trigger excess melanin production, causing new areas of hyperpigmentation and darkening existing areas.

The AAD recommend everyone to use sunscreen that:

• has a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30
• protects against UVA and UVB rays (manufacturers may label it as broad spectrum)
• is water resistant

People should apply it to all areas of exposed skin — not just the face — and wear it year-round.

Sunscreen is available in drug stores and online.

Natural remedies

Applying aloe vera gel to burns may help prevent scarring.
Image credit: Grook Da Oger, 2010.

Some people claim that natural remedies can effectively reduce dark spots on black skin. The most popular remedies include:

However, there is no scientific evidence that these natural treatments lighten areas of hyperpigmentation. Some of them may even cause other skin problems. For example, lemon juice can dry out and irritate the skin.

Overall, however, these natural products are unlikely to cause harm if people use them sparingly.

Skin-lightening products

Several products are available over the counter to treat an uneven skin tone. For the best results, a person should choose a skin lightener that contains one of the following:

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant. When it comes to skin care, research suggests that it can protect against sun damage, increase collagen levels, and reduce the formation of melanin to stop hyperpigmentation.

However, it is unclear how effective it can be due to the poor ability of current preparations to penetrate the skin.

Vitamin C serums are available in pharmacies and online.

Hydroquinone

Hydroquinone is a very popular treatment for dark spots. Similar to vitamin C, it works by inhibiting melanin production.

Over-the-counter (OTC) products typically contain 2% hydroquinone, whereas prescription creams contain 4%.

Creams that contain hydroquinone are available in some drug stores, pharmacies, and online.

Kojic acid

Kojic acid is another common skin lightener.

However, it may be less effective than other remedies for dark spots. A study on a type of hyperpigmentation called melasma found that 4% hydroquinone cream was a better and faster treatment for hyperpigmentation than 0.75% kojic acid cream.

People can purchase kojic acid solutions online or in some drug stores.

Differin gel

Adapalene 0.1% gel (Differin) is an OTC treatment that is anti-inflammatory and helps stop acne comedones from forming.

Dermatologists may recommend it to even out a person’s skin complexion and lighten dark spots alongside preventing acne breakouts.

Medical treatments

If home remedies do not help get rid of the dark spots, then some people may wish to consider medical treatments.

These may cause adverse reactions, so it is best to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each option with a dermatologist before having treatment.

Medical treatments include:

Laser therapy

Laser therapy uses a beam of light to eliminate areas of hyperpigmentation.

Research indicates that laser therapy is effective and gives lasting results. However, it is expensive and requires multiple sessions. It may lighten the skin surrounding the dark spots if the doctor accidentally targets those areas. It might even produce a lighter spot in place of the dark spot.

Chemical peels

Chemical peels exfoliate the skin but go deeper than other processes, such as microdermabrasion. Although they can be effective, strong chemical peels may burn the skin or even produce further pigment changes.

This treatment can be expensive, and a person may require several sessions to achieve noticeable results.

Treatments to avoid

A dermatologist can offer advice on how to treat hyperpigmentation.
Image credit: Kylie Aquino, 2017.

People should avoid using very harsh treatments on the skin, as these may cause skin damage and serious harm to internal organs.

For example, some online sources recommend using liquid bleach on dark spots. People should never apply this product to the skin, as it can cause painful burns.

Also, it is important to be wary when shopping for skin lighteners and to avoid those that contain mercury, which may appear on ingredient lists as:

• mercury
• mercuric
• calomel
• cinnabaris
• hydrargyri oxidum rubrum
• quicksilver

The World Health Organization (WHO) warn that skin lightening soaps and creams containing mercury could cause:

Eventually, the mercury in cosmetic products also ends up in the water. Here, it makes its way into the food chain, meaning that people can end up eating fish that contains toxic levels of mercury.

Prevention

It may not be possible to prevent all cases of dark spots on black skin, especially those that occur due to aging and hormonal changes.

However, it is possible to reduce the risk of them developing by:

• wearing sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 every day
• reapplying sunscreen every 2 hours and more frequently after swimming or sweating
• avoiding direct sunlight between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
• moisturizing the skin daily
• avoiding using harsh exfoliating products
• treating acne, psoriasis, and other conditions promptly
• seeing a doctor if black spots are the result of the birth control pill or other medications

When to see a dermatologist

Individuals who find their dark spots bothersome may wish to see a dermatologist, especially if home remedies do not achieve satisfactory results.

Those who have skin conditions that trigger dark spot development should also consider making an appointment with a dermatologist to explore treatment options.

Summary

Dark spots are a common problem for those with black skin. They are harmless, but some people may wish to treat them for cosmetic reasons.

Home remedies include addressing the underlying cause and using skin lighteners.

If these do not work, people can discuss the possibility of laser therapy or other treatments with a dermatologist.