It's that time of the year when body hair becomes… well, a little annoying.

If you're like me, shaving is part of your weekly (or even daily) routine. You've probably crafted your customised DIY whipped body scrub to prep your skin, and maybe you've even tried our silky DIY shaving oil-to-milk to get the smoothest shave possible.

But honestly, shaving can still be frustrating at times.

You follow every step and still get those pesky underarm ingrown hairs or red bumps on your legs a day or two later.

If you ask around, many people will suggest waxing. And if you're brave, you've probably tried it. I, on the other hand, was forced into it back in the day when I was training to be a beauty therapist. Part of the qualification meant we had to practice different treatments on each other.

So, I trusted one of my classmates to give waxing a go… and let's just say, after that day, I knew I'd do everything in my power to make shaving work for me.

And to top it off, that waxing session still left me with bumps. So what's the deal?

How can you get rid of irritation/razor bumps and ingrown hairs naturally?

First, we need to establish the cause of each of these.

Razor Bumps vs Ingrown Hairs: What's the Difference?

These two terms often get mixed up, but they're not quite the same thing. Both show up after hair removal, both can be irritating, and both can ruin that smooth-skin feeling; but here's how they differ:

Razor Bumps (Pseudofolliculitis Barbae)

Razor bumps happen when shaved hair grows back and curls into the surrounding skin, inflaming the hair follicle. They are small, red, irritated clusters, often on areas with thick or curly hair like beards, underarms, or the bikini line. Razor bumps can be itchy, tender, and sometimes even resemble acne. It is basically your skin's way of saying, "Excuse me, I don't like how this hair was cut!"

Ingrown Hairs

An ingrown hair occurs when a single hair grows sideways or curls back into the skin instead of outward, often appearing as a raised bump with the hair sometimes visible underneath. It can be painful, form pus-filled spots, or become infected. It is essentially a rogue hair rebelling against its natural growth path.

The Connection Between the Two

Razor bumps are often caused by a cluster of ingrown hairs. In other words, every razor bump is related to ingrowns, but not every ingrown hair leads to full-blown razor bumps.

Even after a perfect shave, bumps and ingrown hairs can appear, and it's not just about pre- or post-shave care. Both share the same root causes:

What Causes Bumps and Ingrown Hairs?

1. Irritation from Razor Trauma

Every shave creates tiny micro-cuts in the skin. A dull razor or heavy-handed technique makes it worse, inflaming the follicles and leading to redness, razor bumps and irritation.

2. Dead Skin Buildup

Even if you exfoliate before shaving, skin continues to shed. Excess dead skin can block hair follicles between shaves, forcing hairs to grow sideways or curl under the skin.

3. Inflammation and Bacteria

Shaving creates tiny openings in your skin, which can allow bacteria to enter and irritate hair follicles. This is why underarms and legs, where hair grows densely, are particularly prone to bumps.

Factors That Make Razor Bumps and Ingrowns Worse

Certain habits and conditions can increase your risk of bumps and ingrowns:

• Razor Condition: A dull or dirty blade tugs instead of cutting cleanly, causing irritation and ingrowns. Always use a sharp, clean razor.
• Shaving Technique: Shaving against the grain may give a closer result, but it also makes ingrowns more likely. Rushing or pressing too hard can traumatise the skin.
• Skin Hydration: Dry, dehydrated skin is stiff and less flexible, which can trap hairs under the surface. Hydrated skin lets hair grow out more easily.
• Frequency of Shaving: Yes, over-shaving is a real thing! Shaving too often without proper skin care leaves the skin inflamed and more prone to bumps.

Can The Type of Hair Make Ingrowns and Irritation Worse?

Yes! Beyond your shaving technique, tools and routine, hair texture also plays a huge role in whether bumps form.

Thicker, coarser hair (like underarms, bikini line, or men's beards) is more likely to curl back into the skin after shaving. Its strength makes it easier for the cut tip to pierce sideways under the surface, creating painful ingrowns.

Curly hair types are especially prone to this, since the curl naturally pulls hairs back toward the skin. Once shaved at an angle, the hair can coil in and get stuck.

Finer hair (like arm or leg hair) usually grows outward with less resistance, so it's less likely to become ingrown. Still, irritation bumps can happen, as we covered earlier.

How to Prevent Razor Bumps and Ingrown Hairs

1. Exfoliate Regularly

Don't just scrub before shaving. Gentle exfoliation between shaves or once the hair begins to grow back helps remove dead skin, keeping follicles clear and hairs free to grow outward. Ingredients like green clay, kaolin, or mild scrubs work beautifully for this. Or you could try our gently exfoliating toner pads further down in the blog.

2. Use a Sharp, Clean Razor

Replace your blades regularly. A dull razor increases tugging and irritation, leading to bumps and ingrown hairs.

3. Hydrate Your Skin

Moisturised skin is more supple, allowing hair to grow naturally. On a daily basis, use a moisturiser or body butter that is suitable for your skin type. Lock the moisture in using oils like jojoba, argan, or tamanu in between shaves.

4. Soothing Aftercare

Apply gentle, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory products post-shave. Ingredients like aloe vera, witch hazel, or tea tree oil calm irritation and protect follicles. You could also make our DIY After-Sun Refresher Mist that doubles as a calming, post-shave spray.

5. Shave Smartly

Use short, gentle strokes, ideally with the grain, and don't go over the same area repeatedly. When you prep your skin with warm water, a good physical exfoliation and using a good shaving aid before shaving, you reduce the chances of getting razor bumps or ingrown hairs. You can make our Nourishing, Natural Shaving Aid to make this step even gentler and help minimise skin trauma.

6. Consider Shaving Frequency

Give your skin time to recover. Over-shaving inflames follicles and makes bumps more likely. (Yes, this applies to beards too - gents, take note!)

But what if you'd rather wax? Since we're talking about natural solutions, we will consider sugar waxing rather than conventional waxes that often contain synthetic resins, fragrances, or other harmful chemical additives.

Shaving vs Sugar Waxing: Is One Better Than The Other?

If your hair is thick, coarse, or curly, you've probably noticed that no matter what method you use, it comes with its own set of challenges. Let's break it down:

Shaving

• Pros: Quick, mostly painless and easy to do at home.
• Cons: Because shaving only cuts hair at the surface, thick hair often grows back with a sharper tip. This "spiky" edge can easily pierce sideways under the skin, leading to - you guessed it - bumps and ingrowns.

Sugar Waxing

• Pros: Sugar wax, made out of natural ingredients, helps remove hair from the root. This means it takes longer to grow back. Over time, repeated waxing may even make hair finer.
• Cons: It can be extremely painful (especially with coarse hair and sensitive skin), and the trauma of ripping hairs out can still inflame follicles. Thick hair that breaks under the surface during waxing can also curl inward, causing - you guessed it again - bumps and ingrowns.

Both shaving and sugar waxing (sugaring) can give smooth, bump-free results when done correctly, with proper technique, routine, and care.

DIY Natural Solutions for Razor Bump and Ingrown Hair-Free Skin

Here are two innovative products you can easily make at home with Essentially Natural ingredients to keep your skin smooth and irritation-free long after shaving or sugaring. Patch-test before widespread use.