I've got some sh*t going on (Razorbumps)

[SonOfKrypton]

Guys, I need your advice.  I have not shaved since Wednesday morning (and last before that was Mon morn and then Sat night) because of these things.  They were smaller at first, but then I kept using Clearhead after I shaved on Mon and Wed and was figuring I'd be good.  Was gonna shave this morning but was hesitant to.  My shadow is increasing.  I hate this sh*t.
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The pictures were taken with my phone so excuse the quality. 

[Razor X]

What kind of razor blade and shaving gel/cream are you using?  You might have to experiment a little until you find what works.  I've occasionally had problems with bumps and found that exfoliating helped a lot.  I'm usually inconsistent with exfoliating, but when I get bumps, I do it every day for about a week and then they start to clear up.  Then I exfoliate less frequently. I also find that not shaving for a few days actually makes the bumps worse.  I know shaving seems like the last thing you want to do when you're having a skin problem, but daily shaving is what works for me.  You also may just need more time for your scalp to get used to being shaved.

I hope this helps.  Hang in there.  Your dome looks too good to give up on the bald look.

[SLYinKC]

SOK, don't get discouraged, yet.  It took me awhile to figure out how my scalp reacted to various products.  I'm still learning things everyday.  Just keep experimenting and try not to be overly critical of yourself.  That tends to be the average reaction from most of us.
 

[Mikekoz13]

SOK-

           I was in CVS the other day and noticed a line of shaving products called BUMP FIGHTER (or something close to that). I know that black men tend to have more of a problem with this. You may want to check into this line of products.

[SonOfKrypton]

Razor, so wait, to fight the bumps, you suggest exfoliating even on days when you aren't gonna shave?  So far, to fight this, all I've done is rub on some Clearhead like every night.  I am using all the HB products.  Shaving cream, exfoliater, headlube, triple blade etc....Everything HB branded.  Oddly enough,  I feel like running my fingers back there and touching it and feeling it out is just aggravating it more, so I'm beginning to just hold off on that.  Razor, I WOULD follow your advice of continuing to shave but I've heard from too many that when this kind of stuff happens, to let it go away before one starts shaving again, so I'm gonna play the patient game now.

SLYinKC, don't worry dude, I haven't given up yet.  Just wanted to tap into the vast reservoir of experience we have as a group on this subject. 

Mike, yea dude, I've seen those things.  I think I'm just gonna give it some time though as I doubt those products could do anything Clearhead can't. 

But I am interested in this 'exfoliate to fight bumps' idea.  Anyone else had luck with that?  I definently haven't tried it out yet.

[Razor X]

Razor, so wait, to fight the bumps, you suggest exfoliating even on days when you aren't gonna shave?

Yes.  It might not work for everybody, but it worked for me.  It took a couple of days to see an improvement but it definitely helped.

[Timmay]

Well ...this is only going to be my opinion....so take it how ever you want....but here goes.

When a person has hair....whats the most that they put on their head?  Shampoo, conditioner...and maybe some gel.  Now advance forward...you shave your head.., you are putting shaving lotion, clearhead, exfoliating..sunscreen, aloe vera gel, witchhazel..and etc.....thats too much stuff for im concerned. And for some, you are putting even more.  All I do is use warm water to get the scalp ready for a shave, add some headslick, use the headbladeSP to shave with, rinse with hot water, then sometimes I take some shower gel on my washcloth and wash the noggin.  Use a cold water rinse , ice cube rub down, dry the noggin, then only thing I put on it after that is clear aloe vera gel. 
I know everyone is different, people react differently to all these things we put on our skin. Why dont you just try not using all of that, and just going with the basics.  Then maybe after you get it cleared up....then slowly add those steps back in.  YOu might want to try and just elimate all those other steps and then add each one back in one by one. YOu may find that your skin is just allergic to a certain product......process of elimation Son.....I would start with the basic....see how it goes.

Timmmayy!

[Nick912]

SOK it looks like you need some Skin Tight or Tend Skin. This will help the PFB man. Read my razor rash/bump product reviews.

[SLYinKC]

Well ...this is only going to be my opinion....so take it how ever you want....but here goes.

Why dont you just try not using all of that, and just going with the basics.  Then maybe after you get it cleared up....then slowly add those steps back in.  YOu might want to try and just elimate all those other steps and then add each one back in one by one. YOu may find that your skin is just allergic to a certain product......process of elimation Son.....I would start with the basic....see how it goes.

Timmmayy!

I'm with you, Timmy, This is one area where "Less is definitely MORE"  At least for me, I can't use all that stuff or my head starts to turn colors and get bumps.  Just the basics for me.

[SonOfKrypton]

Arighty guys.  As much as I agree with two of you that we may be putting too much sh*t on our heads, I don't think that is what's causing my problem.  I just talked to a black friend (who I shoulda talked to before I shaved my head damnit) of mine from high school, and asked him about the time he shaved his head to play the part of "Morpheus" during Halloween.  He said he went thru severe bumps too and, in his case, he believes it was an infection that was caused by negligence.  He said the first time he shaved his head, he had a little thing containing alcohol, and with every swipe of the blade he would dip it in there.  He had no problems.  But after the second time shaving, he said to hell with doing that and the result was bumping.  Ultimately, after the convo, he suggested the stuff forumulated for black men "Bump Stopper".  After talking to him and reading this Wikipedia page (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Razor_bumps), I'm gonna start taking an anti-biotic we have in the house (Doxicyclin) and wrapping the bumping part of my head up with a hot/warm water towel for 5 minutes everyday.  I will take the anti-biotic because I really am starting to think this is a bacterial infection from what I've read on the Wiki page and from what he said.  I may try that Bump Stopper stuff too.  I just hope this goes away soon because the shadow is fighting itself back with a vengence and now that I've tasted slyness, I wan't more damnit.

[SLYinKC]

Hey, SOK, Glad you're getting some good advice.  I know that our black brothers have it worse with trying to battle the razor bumps.  Just hope you can find something to help you out.

Rick

[Razor X]

Hey, SOK, Glad you're getting some good advice.  I know that our black brothers have it worse with trying to battle the razor bumps.

Yes, but the fact that so many black men shave their heads is an indication that there must be a fairly simple solution to the problem.  They're probably more qualified to help you in that regard than we are.  I get razor bumps on my neck sometimes and I know they can be quite painful, so you've got my sympathies.

Hang in there and you'll find the answer.  It would be a shame to cover up that great looking dome of yours with hair.

[Nick912]

Dude I know some sly black dudes in the Military and I have talked to them about this stuff alot before. Bump Stopper is garbage. You need a strong alcohol based product like Tend Skin, Skin Tight, or Bump Patrol. Also black dudes or guys who bump easy and get ingrown hairs cant use 3,4,5 blade razors. I would do no more than 2 blades. Invest in the Sensor Excel and use those products and I know that it will help. It did for me man.

[Tyler]

Arighty guys.  As much as I agree with two of you that we may be putting too much sh*t on our heads, I don't think that is what's causing my problem.  I just talked to a black friend (who I shoulda talked to before I shaved my head damnit) of mine from high school, and asked him about the time he shaved his head to play the part of "Morpheus" during Halloween.  He said he went thru severe bumps too and, in his case, he believes it was an infection that was caused by negligence.  He said the first time he shaved his head, he had a little thing containing alcohol, and with every swipe of the blade he would dip it in there.  He had no problems.  But after the second time shaving, he said to hell with doing that and the result was bumping.  Ultimately, after the convo, he suggested the stuff forumulated for black men "Bump Stopper".  After talking to him and reading this Wikipedia page (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Razor_bumps), I'm gonna start taking an anti-biotic we have in the house (Doxicyclin) and wrapping the bumping part of my head up with a hot/warm water towel for 5 minutes everyday.  I will take the anti-biotic because I really am starting to think this is a bacterial infection from what I've read on the Wiki page and from what he said.  I may try that Bump Stopper stuff too.  I just hope this goes away soon because the shadow is fighting itself back with a vengence and now that I've tasted slyness, I wan't more damnit.

The alcohol is also something that a black friend of mine uses.  He's also a member here but hasn't been on in awhile.  I completely forgot abot that tip until you mentioned it.  Sorry about that. 

[SonOfKrypton]

Dude I know some sly black dudes in the Military and I have talked to them about this stuff alot before. Bump Stopper is garbage. You need a strong alcohol based product like Tend Skin, Skin Tight, or Bump Patrol. Also black dudes or guys who bump easy and get ingrown hairs cant use 3,4,5 blade razors. I would do no more than 2 blades. Invest in the Sensor Excel and use those products and I know that it will help. It did for me man.

Hey Nick, where can one get this "Tend Skin" stuff?  What are the retailers?  Can I buy it at CVS, Walgreens, or Meijer or something?