Sly Bald Guys Forum

Head Shaving, Grooming & Care => Head Shaving => Topic started by: -Doug- on March 30, 2011, 06:56:13 AM

Title: Bumps/irritation help
Post by: -Doug- on March 30, 2011, 06:56:13 AM
I have an issue that has been bugging me for a while now - bumps. Every time I shave my head I get red, raised bumps on my head. They are predominatly on the sides of my head. They don't hurt and do eventually calm down to unraised, red spots.

Currently my routine is to:
(Shower shave)
Exfoliate with St. Ives
Apply KoS Oil or Shave secret
Apply HeadSlick
Shave
Post shave cold rinse 
Peroxide or Witch Hazel as an astringent
HeabLube Matte

I've tried different oils, shaving creams and astringent agents, but none of them seem to make a difference. My guess is that it has more to do with my pre-shave or shave routine than my post-shave routine as the bumps are there right after the shower.

Since a picture is worth 1,000 words, here what they look like.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_L2V9iihXVHE/TZMlJUNZ47I/AAAAAAAAAc4/dShK7CA11sU/s640/bumps.jpg)

Has any one dealt with this sort of issue before? Any advice or ideas on how to combat this would be greatly appreciated.
Title: Re: Bumps/irritation help
Post by: D.A.L.U.I. on March 30, 2011, 07:10:45 AM
Try the lotion, not creme, formulations of 10% benzoyl peroxide-an anti-acne preparation--mixed with 10% hydrocortizone with aloe--reduces redness and irritation, after the astringent.  Consider a loofah pad, available at Wal-Mart, about $2-3, rather than the St. Ives--to reall scrub any residual oils etc., out of the follicles.  Rinse that melon very well after shaving and wash two or three times a day with a mild anti-acne soap--like Cuticura. 
Title: Re: Bumps/irritation help
Post by: -Doug- on March 30, 2011, 07:18:59 AM
Quote
Try the lotion, not creme, formulations of 10% benzoyl peroxide-an anti-acne preparation--mixed with 10% hydrocortizone with aloe

Can you recommend a brand?
Title: Re: Bumps/irritation help
Post by: sailor61 on March 30, 2011, 07:48:33 AM
I've had simialr problems and had great results with Headblade's Cleanhead.  I know ther are a few other products that are similar that are likely simpler to get since I haven't found a local retailer who stocks more than Headslick.  A sly friend of mine swears by a product called Bumpgaurd (or similar).
Title: Re: Bumps/irritation help
Post by: Razor X on March 30, 2011, 08:19:05 PM
Try what the others have suggested.  If nothing works, see a dermatologist.  I've had similar problems. I have rosacea on my scalp and have to take medication to keep it  under control. 
Title: Re: Bumps/irritation help
Post by: -Doug- on March 30, 2011, 08:36:37 PM
I picked up some Oxy-something that was 5% Benz. Peroxide. It is a rub in, leave on lotion/cream. I also picked up a loffa to use in hopes of better exfoliation than the St. Ives I currently use. Hopefully these things will help.
Title: Re: Bumps/irritation help
Post by: lordmage on March 30, 2011, 10:35:09 PM
first keep us updated on this... to me it looks like subobarbefollicles  (sp?) razor bumps. try a simply warm later shave or a hot shower shave.
Title: Re: Bumps/irritation help
Post by: -Doug- on April 15, 2011, 06:50:12 AM
UPDATE: I've been using a lofa instead of an exfoliating scrub in the shower and a benzol peroxide cream and hydrocortozone cream post shave. The bumps are going away for the most part. However, there are a few stragglers though that are taking their sweet time healing/going away. They do calm down within an hour or so of shaving though so it is progress.

A word of caution for anyone using a product with benzol peroxide is to WASH you head thoroughly before letting it touch any sheets or towels!! I have essentially bleached some spots on to some of our towel and bed sheets. I am not happy about that but the damage is done. Because of this I am going to try switching to a Neutorgena acne wash product that does not contain benzol peroxide.
Title: Re: Bumps/irritation help
Post by: D.A.L.U.I. on April 15, 2011, 06:53:15 AM
Sorry I should have warned you about that part--but it's the benzoyl peroxide that is the most effective non-prescription anti-acne medication.  Once you get the situation under control you can limit the use of the benzoyl peroxide to the morning. 
Title: Re: Bumps/irritation help
Post by: -Doug- on April 22, 2011, 11:03:45 AM
Well, on a whim I switched to the Gillette Atra blades and Edge sensitive skin shave gel and the bumps have all but disappeared. I am still using the lofa as a pre-shave cleaner so I don't know if it is just coincidence. Now I need reverse engineer my shave routine to see if it was the shaving cream (HeadSlick) or the blades (Custom Plus 3) were the culprit. I suspect that it may be the HeadSlick since I've previously used different blades but still had the bumps.
Title: Re: Bumps/irritation help
Post by: D.A.L.U.I. on April 22, 2011, 11:08:28 AM
Did you use Headslick in your previous Sly Time?  I guess we shouldn't be surprised at reactions considering how much "stuff" is in the shave concoctions that they sell.  I really like the loofah pad rubdowns, they really give the feeling of clean and fresh. 
Title: Re: Bumps/irritation help
Post by: -Doug- on April 22, 2011, 11:14:12 AM
Quote
Did you use Headslick in your previous Sly Time?  I guess we shouldn't be surprised at reactions considering how much "stuff" is in the shave concoctions that they sell.  I really like the loofah pad rubdowns, they really give the feeling of clean and fresh.

I did use it previously but I never made the connection between it and the bumps. Also, I don't think that the bumps were as pronounced as they have been this time around. At any rate, I am glad that they seem to be gone for now.

Thanks for the loofah tip, it really does help get the scalp cleaner IMHO.
Title: Re: Bumps/irritation help
Post by: Razor X on April 22, 2011, 12:07:02 PM
I found the menthol in Headslick to be irritating to my skin.  I also think the stiffer gels, which foam up provide the skin with a little more protection from the blade.
Title: Re: Bumps/irritation help
Post by: -Doug- on July 28, 2011, 01:08:04 PM
Grrr....there back. I been on a long stint of using KoS Alpha Gel and haven't had any issues. Now all of a sudden they are back. Maybe it is time to try the Edge Sensitive again. I had good luck with it in the past.
Title: Re: Bumps/irritation help
Post by: Daven on July 28, 2011, 02:44:03 PM
That photo might as well have been my head. I saw a dermatologist for the first time yesterday. he took my temple mole off and I asked about the bumps (and acne) I've been getting on my scalp since starting going sly.  He suggested the same thing that was suggested here as far as washing with B.P. I tried it for the first time today. It already seems to help. 

Thanks for the thread.