Anyone else had/have this problem?

[Learning2Live]

Hey all,

I've been shaving my head for over a year now and noticed a while ago that the skin on my head becomes quite bumpy if I don't shave. Usually I like to shave 5 days a week then have a break over the weekend. My problem is if I don't shave my head my skin becomes really bumpy (I can only guess from the hair growing through) and then this makes shaving again quite difficult as it is impossible to get it smooth and those bumps cause irritation if I shave with them.

I could then shave every day to prevent this, but after 5 days my skin is usually starting to get irritated (razor burn) so needs the break. So at the moment I am pretty much stuck with constant skin irritation.

If I leave it unshaved for a week or more those other bumps eventually go away, especially with a little exfoliation. But I don't want to be shaving one week on and one week off. Not to mention my head would be bumpy for the whole week.

So I am wondering if anyone has had a similar issue and if they managed to fix the issue. From having a look around today it seems likely that it is keratosis pilaris, it pretty much matches perfectly.   

[Razor X]

I get those bumps when the stubble starts pushing its way through, especially if I skip a day of shaving.  They go away when I shave again; they aren't so bad that I can't shave over them.

Why not try an electric razor like a Conair Clean Head to use on weekends when you need a break from the blade?  Not sure how much hair you still have on top, but I try to run it over the top of my dome even if I don't bother doing anything with the sides.

If the irritation persists, see a dermatologist.  I've got some other skin issues that I'm currently being treated for.

[GASlick]

Mine does the same thing, very much like RazorX.  It's the stubble pushing through.  I use one of those spongey things in the shower and give my head a good scrubbing in the shower.  The rough texture tends to help quite a bit. 

I only shave twice a week or so, so I know the feeling.

[MikeInPdx]

Mine will do that still if I shave against the grain and skip a couple of days....like they said, it's the stubble coming through.

You can always shave with the grain, and see if that helps. It did for me.

[D.A.L.U.I.]

I had some problems this past week and wasn't able to shave for 6 days--this morning--the top, visibly not there anymore, was bumpy.  I don't know why, hopefully it goes back to super smooth soon.  There's nothing much to grow, but it's bumpy, not like the horseshoe, that smoothed right out!  Go figure?

[Razor X]

There's nothing much to grow, but it's bumpy, not like the horseshoe, that smoothed right out!  Go figure?

Annoying, isn't it?   

[Learning2Live]

Thanks for the replies guys.

I actually usually use one of those ex foliating sponge things which works quite well most of the time. For example if I go 4-5+ days without shaving then use one of the scrubbers then all is well as it removes pretty much all the bumps and my head is back to smooth and ready to shave. But if I got a few days without shaving and try and use the scrubber then it is about as effective as taking a cheese grater to my head, doesnt give the razor burn or other minor irritations enough time to heal.

What is odd is I never had this problem for the first 12 months or so of shaving. Only in the last 6months or so, mainly the last 3, I started to notice it getting real bumpy. I'm gonna try and drink more water and keep it better moisturised to see if that helps.

I also forgot to mention that it is only really a problem up top, where my hair is receding and thinning out. The rest gets a little bumpy but mostly up top where the least amount of hair is 

Anyway I have a feeling it might be a combination of things, lack of hydration and aggressive shaving probably being the main culprits.

[D.A.L.U.I.]

I also forgot to mention that it is only really a problem up top, where my hair is receding and thinning out. The rest gets a little bumpy but mostly up top where the least amount of hair is 

That's my area too, it's like the few remaining hairs have gotten their backs up and are doing a version on Custer's Last Stand on my head. 

[Razor X]

I also forgot to mention that it is only really a problem up top, where my hair is receding and thinning out. The rest gets a little bumpy but mostly up top where the least amount of hair is 

That's my area too, it's like the few remaining hairs have gotten their backs up and are doing a version on Custer's Last Stand on my head. 

Same here.  I think skin just gets more sensitive when there's less hair to insulate it from the blade.

Of course, the obvious solution is not to wait 4 to 5 days to shave.  I'd do it every day as much as possible, with maybe skipping one or two days a week if your skin really needs a break.

[Morthen]

maybe apply a little less pressure on the razor? If the problem persists you could always consult a dermatologist too.

[BaldPiper]

Been shaving for 8 years now.  For me there has always been a direct correlation between the amount of sun exposure on my head to the amount and severity of bumps from hair pushing out.  Not sure if the sun exposure creates tighter follicle holes that cause the bumps or what but happens each spring.  I'm from Chicago area and get to suffer through gray skies for what seems like 8 months a year. Especially bad during those first few times when I get some tan and then tapers off as summer wears on.