Ingrown hairs - page 2 -

• #15 by Irishdeerhunter on 13 Oct, 2008 05:40
• Hi Shaf
  Just back from Florida where I picked up 2 products - bald guys moisturizer & bump stopper shaving gel. Alas, after a week of use my head is still infected with ingrown hairs & a red rash . 
  
  I have been to a local doctor (General Practitioner) on 3 occasions where he put me on tetralysal for acne rash which I was also getting on my scalp.  The medication did nothing for my rash or ingrown hairs, with a small amount of success for the acne.  He sort of advised me against seeing a dermatologist, stating that the dermatologist would offer me no alternatives to his advice.  I am of course dubious about this as the doctor is not a specialist on skin problems & maybe just wanted my cash instead.  
  Anyway, I am beginning to think that maybe the bald look is not for me. My options seem to be either let my hair grow or lazor treatment.
  
  Regarding your tips, I appreciate the advice.  However, I seem to be allergic to salicyclic acid (at least conc salicyclic acid products) as it causes me to break out in a rash.  Anyhow, my routine is as follows, so, any changes I should make would be appreciated:
  
  1.Warm water rinse under the shower.
  2. Apply new product bump stopper shaving gel (leave for 1 min) & then apply gillette fusion shaving cream.
  3. Shave at sink with the grain using a mirror for back of the head. (I use a gillette fusion razor which I leave in hot sink water prior to use).
  4. Warm water rinse
  5. More Gillette fusion cream
  6. Shave against the grain
  7. Go over the noggin to remove any missed areas.
  8. Rub an alcohol based product on noggin, cold water rinse for few minutes, more alcohol & then ice cubes
  9. Pat dry & apply either bald guys moisturiser or aloe gel or witch hazel or Hommes Apres Rasage (very good product for razor burns!)
  
  That's it.
  
  Cheers Shaf!
• #16 by Hook'Em on 13 Oct, 2008 10:34
• I've had bump problems since i started shaving my head (almost 3 months). The last 2 weeks i have totally cleared up. It started really bad then about a month in i started using the bald guyz products and it cleared up alot but i still had a few bumps with some generally bad breakouts now and again. The last 2 weeks though i have been almost completely bump free. Here's what i'm doing. First off I don't shave every day. I usually shave every other or maybe even skip a couple of days. I only razor shave about once a week as i think this is what causes me to break out and I use a brand new disposable each time i shave. I use an electric (braun) on the other days. I also use St Ives (w/salacylic acid) and Clean & Clear foaming facial scrub (antibiotic) every time i shower. I was reading about bumps on webmd and they talk about ingrown hairs, which i don't think i get. I think mine is more of a form of acne  (folliculitis:  http://www.visualdxhealth.com/adult/folliculitis.htm my bumps look exactly like the first picture on this site.), which is caused by bacteria, hence the use of the facial wash. I'm not sure if you are actually having ingrown hairs or if yours is more like my problem, but at least for now i'm doing much better. Oh and I only use the Bald Guyz stuff when shaving and definitely their moisturizer after. Hope this info helps. Good luck.
• #17 by ripped53 on 13 Oct, 2008 14:07
• Irish,  Sorry to hear about your problem. Coming from someone that has been sly for over 12 years and being african american (notorious for ingrown hairs) I feel and know your problem and your pain. The only three products I have used consistently, up until last week were, the original High Time Bump Stopper,  High Time Bump Stopper-2 Double Strength, and Bump Patrol Razor Bump Solution Original and Sensitive Formula. 
  
  My first shave I used a disposible BIC, the old school white one with the yellow head (single blade) and some generic barbosol shaving cream.  I had no idea what I was doing.  So going by what I had seen on TV I took some clippers ran them right down the middle of my head so there was no turning back. I got my hair down as low as it would go.  I lathered up and starting from my neckline I went directly against the grain, on the top and side I did the same thing (against the grain).  Amazingly I don't recall cutting or nicking myself but when I was done it felt like my head was one fire......hmmmm could that have been all the alcohol I applied, or just the feeling of tiny little hairs trapped under the skin for the first time???!!  Long story short over the next two days the back of my head, the side around my ears, on the sides and back of my head (where the shadow is most prevelant), and both sides of my neckline became inflamed with ingrown hairs.  I was in pain, my head looked and felt horrible, and I was a new transfer student at a new college.  Lets just say I wore a ball cap or doo rag 24/7.   The Bump Stopper was the first product I could find and I used it and alcohol religiously.  Washing and cleasing several times a day and re-applying the bumpstopper every time.
  
  I begain using the original Bump Stopper products, which I believe is what you are using, from the very first time a razor touched my scalp.  It was the only thing I could find in the stores at the time.  It helped to sooth the irritation but took a least two-three weeks before I saw any real benefit (Going from memory and the horror I went through after my first head shaving experience).  Luckily I had a girl friend that did care about my appearance and did everything she could to help, including spending hours while watching tv, studying, or before bed lifting out each individual hair with a safety pin.  Lifting up the ingrown hairs from under the skin, lots of witchhazel, alcohol, and the bumpstopper and eventually things calmed down.  But keep in mind I continued to shave and continued to have ingrown hairs and bumps, it was like a never ending cycle.  I still have the scars on my neckline and on the sides to this day.  After the first few times I stop shaving against the grain and found out that was the main problem.  I wanted the clean shave, but didn't want to continue to endure the pain of a head covered with ingrown hairs.  So I dealt with a little fuzz and the shadow in an attempt to allow the ingrown hairs and associated bumps to clear up.
  
  Fast forward 2 years I upgraded to bump stopper 2, worked much faster than the original bumpstopper and works by drying out the skin.  Almost makes the bumps scab over.  It still takes about 1 week to take full effect.(Still in combination with witchhazel, alcohol, and a good woman to pick bumps).  Two years later I found Bump Patrol Razor Bump Solution Sensitive Formula!!!! It was the truth.  Works fast and very similar to the bumpstopper but in a liquid form.  Smells horrible, my wife can't stand it, but it works in about 2-3 days.  It also dries out the bumps and allows for easy picking.  Now some where along the line I started using the Mach 3, almost immediately when it came out, and the same thing with the fusion.  The Fusion is my razor of choice today.   
  
  One of the key issues in my case was shaving against the grain.  As long as I shave with the grain I can ultimately avoid a manifistation of ingrown hairs.  I will still get the occasional few at the side of my neckline, but those aren't that serious.  The second most important thing in my case was having someone to lift the hairs from beneath the skin.  That combination with a good bump fighter has helped my to avoid the horrors of my first shave. I have religiously used a combination of the bumpstopper 2 and Bump Patrol for almost 6 years now (my account of exact time may be a bit skewed, but you get the picture).  Every once and a while my memory goes bad and I think I want to get that glass smooth shave to eliminate my shadow, and everytime I have to deal with an abundance of ingrown hairs, and the nasty bumps that accompany them, on the back and sides of my head.  The last serious breakout occured right before I joined this forum.  The combination of the bumpstopper 2 and bump patrol AFTER I shaved, my wife picking bumps every night, and not shaving for 2 days got rid of the bumps fairly quickly.  I'd say ingrown hair and bump free within about a week. 
  
  So if I could offer you any advice it would be to stop shaving against the grain, apply the bump fighter(bumpstopper 2 and/or bump patrol) AFTER your shave, putting them on before and then putting a razor to your scalp may be causing some irritation.  Cut back on the alcohol and focus on witchhazel (I found too much alcohol irritated my scalp as well).  Get you a shaving oil, I recently started using "shavers secret", and absolutely love it.  And if you have someone near and dear to ya have them pick your bumps.  You'll need to go at least 1-2 days without shaving to allow the hairs to grow out enough to be able to lift them up, plus it gives your irritated noggin time to recoperate. Its time consuming, frustrating, and if you've got the nice juicy bumps growing over the embedded hairs, it might even be a little nasty or disgusting, but in my case it is essential to ridding yourself of ingrown hairs and the razor bumps that grow over them. You have to get the hairs from under the skin!!
  
  I'm not sure of the scientific difference betwen razor bumps and ingrown hair bumps or if there is a difference, but my experience is that beneath every nasty little bump there is a hair in some case very long hair trapped under the skin.
  
  You should be able to order any of the products from Walgreens, not sure if they ship overseas. Check out the links below.
  
  Bump Patrol
  Bumpstopper 2
  
  I just started using this stuff ScalpDoctor....to try something different (This site makes ya do that you know).  But I have no clue how it will do in the long run.  My initial reaction is that its soothing, smells nice, and has prevented any bumps, but I've only been using it for 3 days with a new Schick Quattro titanium with clippers, but I'll save those reviews for later.
  
  Sorry for the LOOOOOOONNNG post hope it helps.
  
  Gotta get back to work.....Oh and wheres the spell check......
  
• #18 by Shaf on 13 Oct, 2008 18:09
• Hey Irish, hope you had a good time away mate.  Man sorry to hear this is still flaring up for u. As both Hookem and Ripped are alluding to this can take time and just precisely finding out what's causing this.
  
  
  You definitely have a point about seeing a dermatologist even for just a one off consultation. Your doing things a lot of guys here do but it's still not working so sometimes u should back up abit I guess.
  
  I did ages ago and seriously man, less is more sometimes. The good  thing with u are two things. U definitely seem to think it's ingrowns and if nothing else you've realized you don't react well to salicylic acid like me so that'll narrow down any advice u get.
  
  I went just the once only to see our dermatologist on campus and she was fab. Abit of a hippy chick with her aspirin and honey masks, washing with apple cider but seriously she did say one thing that once I started with, really sorted out a lot skin issues I had and that was to go back to very basic simple routines.
  
  She said to wash with some thing simple, Cetaphil cleaning bar,  Johnson Baby shampoo or a sensitive  shampoo. I chose head and shoulder coz my problem was due oily skin, bacteria etc.  Nothing with salicyilic acid in  it.  Shave with a simple  Excel using a sensitive shave gel (I used Aveeno therapeutic oatmeal gel) like the bump stopper gel you've got but only with the grain. Dude this something I think u should really really do like the guys have said. You aggravate it more going against. Then apply witchazel or aloe but certainly don't start mixing products.
  I did this for over a month or occasionally using my Wahl fader to a 0.5 cut.  Cost just under a tenner a gentle shampoo an excel, gel  and aloe.
  
  This was not  a close shave of course  and don't expect it to be for u if u only go with the grain but gradually the bumps went down for me and the look was just cleaner  after abit of time.  I sport a  number  one cut sometimes because of her highness(girlfriend) so I didn't put a time frame on it and I'd encourage u do the same. My plan was if it calmed down sufficiently, I'd keep the cleansing part but substitute the gel/razor to get that smooth shave. If I bumped up, well I'd just go back to what I was doing but thankfully I didn't have to so I could incorporate a good oil, slicker gel and good aftershave.
  
  I'd say go to dermatologist in that case at least to get that professional standpoint and so long as u explain what you have done, something good can hopefully come out it dude. 
  
  
• #19 by Irishdeerhunter on 14 Oct, 2008 03:40
• Quote from: Hookem on 13 Oct, 2008 10:34

  I've had bump problems since i started shaving my head (almost 3 months). The last 2 weeks i have totally cleared up. It started really bad then about a month in i started using the bald guyz products and it cleared up alot but i still had a few bumps with some generally bad breakouts now and again. The last 2 weeks though i have been almost completely bump free. Here's what i'm doing. First off I don't shave every day. I usually shave every other or maybe even skip a couple of days. I only razor shave about once a week as i think this is what causes me to break out and I use a brand new disposable each time i shave. I use an electric (braun) on the other days. I also use St Ives (w/salacylic acid) and Clean & Clear foaming facial scrub (antibiotic) every time i shower. I was reading about bumps on webmd and they talk about ingrown hairs, which i don't think i get. I think mine is more of a form of acne  (folliculitis:  http://www.visualdxhealth.com/adult/folliculitis.htm my bumps look exactly like the first picture on this site.), which is caused by bacteria, hence the use of the facial wash. I'm not sure if you are actually having ingrown hairs or if yours is more like my problem, but at least for now i'm doing much better. Oh and I only use the Bald Guyz stuff when shaving and definitely their moisturizer after. Hope this info helps. Good luck.
  

  
  Hookem
  
  Thanks for some useful tips on shaving the head.  I too do not shave everyday, mostly every third day or sometimes when I feel the noggin looks better every second day.  I would probably shave it everyday if it was infection free.  I use the St Ives 2-3 times/wk & I am looking at getting an electric razor.  I have the bald guyz moisturiser & tomorrow for the first time I will shave the noggin in the shower.
• #20 by Irishdeerhunter on 14 Oct, 2008 03:54
• Quote from: ripped53 on 13 Oct, 2008 14:07

  Quote

  Irish,  Sorry to hear about your problem. Coming from someone that has been sly for over 12 years and being african american (notorious for ingrown hairs) I feel and know your problem and your pain. The only three products I have used consistently, up until last week were, the original High Time Bump Stopper,  High Time Bump Stopper-2 Double Strength, and Bump Patrol Razor Bump Solution Original and Sensitive Formula. 
  
  My first shave I used a disposible BIC, the old school white one with the yellow head (single blade) and some generic barbosol shaving cream.  I had no idea what I was doing.  So going by what I had seen on TV I took some clippers ran them right down the middle of my head so there was no turning back. I got my hair down as low as it would go.  I lathered up and starting from my neckline I went directly against the grain, on the top and side I did the same thing (against the grain).  Amazingly I don't recall cutting or nicking myself but when I was done it felt like my head was one fire......hmmmm could that have been all the alcohol I applied, or just the feeling of tiny little hairs trapped under the skin for the first time???!!  Long story short over the next two days the back of my head, the side around my ears, on the sides and back of my head (where the shadow is most prevelant), and both sides of my neckline became inflamed with ingrown hairs.  I was in pain, my head looked and felt horrible, and I was a new transfer student at a new college.  Lets just say I wore a ball cap or doo rag 24/7.   The Bump Stopper was the first product I could find and I used it and alcohol religiously.  Washing and cleasing several times a day and re-applying the bumpstopper every time.
  
  I begain using the original Bump Stopper products, which I believe is what you are using, from the very first time a razor touched my scalp.  It was the only thing I could find in the stores at the time.  It helped to sooth the irritation but took a least two-three weeks before I saw any real benefit (Going from memory and the horror I went through after my first head shaving experience).  Luckily I had a girl friend that did care about my appearance and did everything she could to help, including spending hours while watching tv, studying, or before bed lifting out each individual hair with a safety pin.  Lifting up the ingrown hairs from under the skin, lots of witchhazel, alcohol, and the bumpstopper and eventually things calmed down.  But keep in mind I continued to shave and continued to have ingrown hairs and bumps, it was like a never ending cycle.  I still have the scars on my neckline and on the sides to this day.  After the first few times I stop shaving against the grain and found out that was the main problem.  I wanted the clean shave, but didn't want to continue to endure the pain of a head covered with ingrown hairs.  So I dealt with a little fuzz and the shadow in an attempt to allow the ingrown hairs and associated bumps to clear up.
  
  Fast forward 2 years I upgraded to bump stopper 2, worked much faster than the original bumpstopper and works by drying out the skin.  Almost makes the bumps scab over.  It still takes about 1 week to take full effect.(Still in combination with witchhazel, alcohol, and a good woman to pick bumps).  Two years later I found Bump Patrol Razor Bump Solution Sensitive Formula!!!! It was the truth.  Works fast and very similar to the bumpstopper but in a liquid form.  Smells horrible, my wife can't stand it, but it works in about 2-3 days.  It also dries out the bumps and allows for easy picking.  Now some where along the line I started using the Mach 3, almost immediately when it came out, and the same thing with the fusion.  The Fusion is my razor of choice today.   
  
  One of the key issues in my case was shaving against the grain.  As long as I shave with the grain I can ultimately avoid a manifistation of ingrown hairs.  I will still get the occasional few at the side of my neckline, but those aren't that serious.  The second most important thing in my case was having someone to lift the hairs from beneath the skin.  That combination with a good bump fighter has helped my to avoid the horrors of my first shave. I have religiously used a combination of the bumpstopper 2 and Bump Patrol for almost 6 years now (my account of exact time may be a bit skewed, but you get the picture).  Every once and a while my memory goes bad and I think I want to get that glass smooth shave to eliminate my shadow, and everytime I have to deal with an abundance of ingrown hairs, and the nasty bumps that accompany them, on the back and sides of my head.  The last serious breakout occured right before I joined this forum.  The combination of the bumpstopper 2 and bump patrol AFTER I shaved, my wife picking bumps every night, and not shaving for 2 days got rid of the bumps fairly quickly.  I'd say ingrown hair and bump free within about a week. 
  
  So if I could offer you any advice it would be to stop shaving against the grain, apply the bump fighter(bumpstopper 2 and/or bump patrol) AFTER your shave, putting them on before and then putting a razor to your scalp may be causing some irritation.  Cut back on the alcohol and focus on witchhazel (I found too much alcohol irritated my scalp as well).  Get you a shaving oil, I recently started using "shavers secret", and absolutely love it.  And if you have someone near and dear to ya have them pick your bumps.  You'll need to go at least 1-2 days without shaving to allow the hairs to grow out enough to be able to lift them up, plus it gives your irritated noggin time to recoperate. Its time consuming, frustrating, and if you've got the nice juicy bumps growing over the embedded hairs, it might even be a little nasty or disgusting, but in my case it is essential to ridding yourself of ingrown hairs and the razor bumps that grow over them. You have to get the hairs from under the skin!!
  
  I'm not sure of the scientific difference betwen razor bumps and ingrown hair bumps or if there is a difference, but my experience is that beneath every nasty little bump there is a hair in some case very long hair trapped under the skin.
  
  You should be able to order any of the products from Walgreens, not sure if they ship overseas. Check out the links below.
  
  Bump Patrol
  Bumpstopper 2
  
  I just started using this stuff ScalpDoctor....to try something different (This site makes ya do that you know).  But I have no clue how it will do in the long run.  My initial reaction is that its soothing, smells nice, and has prevented any bumps, but I've only been using it for 3 days with a new Schick Quattro titanium with clippers, but I'll save those reviews for later.
  
  Sorry for the LOOOOOOONNNG post hope it helps.
  
  Gotta get back to work.....Oh and wheres the spell check......

  
  Great post ripped!
  I enjoyed the story.
  I will take on board your advice.  Now, I'm off to kidnap some attractive girl & force her to pick out my ingrown hairs.
  
• #21 by Irishdeerhunter on 14 Oct, 2008 04:10
• Quote from: shaf on 13 Oct, 2008 18:09

  Hey Irish, hope you had a good time away mate.  Man sorry to hear this is still flaring up for u. As both Hookem and Ripped are alluding to this can take time and just precisely finding out what's causing this.
  
  
  You definitely have a point about seeing a dermatologist even for just a one off consultation. Your doing things a lot of guys here do but it's still not working so sometimes u should back up abit I guess.
  
  I did ages ago and seriously man, less is more sometimes. The good  thing with u are two things. U definitely seem to think it's ingrowns and if nothing else you've realized you don't react well to salicylic acid like me so that'll narrow down any advice u get.
  
  I went just the once only to see our dermatologist on campus and she was fab. Abit of a hippy chick with her aspirin and honey masks, washing with apple cider but seriously she did say one thing that once I started with, really sorted out a lot skin issues I had and that was to go back to very basic simple routines.
  
  She said to wash with some thing simple, Cetaphil cleaning bar,  Johnson Baby shampoo or a sensitive  shampoo. I chose head and shoulder coz my problem was due oily skin, bacteria etc.  Nothing with salicyilic acid in  it.  Shave with a simple  Excel using a sensitive shave gel (I used Aveeno therapeutic oatmeal gel) like the bump stopper gel you've got but only with the grain. Dude this something I think u should really really do like the guys have said. You aggravate it more going against. Then apply witchazel or aloe but certainly don't start mixing products.
  I did this for over a month or occasionally using my Wahl fader to a 0.5 cut.  Cost just under a tenner a gentle shampoo an excel, gel  and aloe.
  
  This was not  a close shave of course  and don't expect it to be for u if u only go with the grain but gradually the bumps went down for me and the look was just cleaner  after abit of time.  I sport a  number  one cut sometimes because of her highness(girlfriend) so I didn't put a time frame on it and I'd encourage u do the same. My plan was if it calmed down sufficiently, I'd keep the cleansing part but substitute the gel/razor to get that smooth shave. If I bumped up, well I'd just go back to what I was doing but thankfully I didn't have to so I could incorporate a good oil, slicker gel and good aftershave.
  
  I'd say go to dermatologist in that case at least to get that professional standpoint and so long as u explain what you have done, something good can hopefully come out it dude. 
  
  Hey Shaf
  Regarding cleansing bar(s), I have to be careful as my skin is sensitive to breakouts when I wash it everyday with any sort of soap.  I use dove apart from on my head & face with head & shoulders shampoo occasionally.  As well as the St Ives scrub, I use neutrogena visibly clear wash/mask which I find to be reasonably good on my skin.  As I have combination skin, oily/dry, using soaps are something I don't do even with the dove, BUT you mention the cetaphil cleansing bar.  Does it cause dryness? If not I may give it a try.  Anyhow, I am considering the dermatologist option if I don't see any progress over the next month.  Also, I will just shave with the grain to see if any improvements.
  
  Thanks Shaf.
  
• #22 by slyzed_t on 14 Oct, 2008 08:36
• i got that bumps too after my first few shaves..
  
  i got almost rid of it by:
  
  1. let the foam/gel/cream (whatever u use) sink in for at least! 5 minutes
  2. shave only with the grain, using mach3 (fusion and headblade are good too, but i prefer mach3 )
  3. a lot of nivea for men sensitive balm after (the white one)
  4. some jojoba oil (2-3 drops) 30 minutes after the shave (moisturizes,protects,heals)
  5. the most important factor i think : Shave EVERY DAY! .. ur head will get used to it!
  
  i swear..when i shaved every 2 or 3 days i always got some bumps/razorburn...after one week of shaving every day i got maybe just one little bump...or nothing at all..
  
  Remember:
  
  Shave INSANE , or remain the same !   
• #23 by Irishdeerhunter on 14 Oct, 2008 23:25
• Thanks Slyzed for info on you head shaving procedure.
• #24 by THier on 15 Oct, 2008 04:43
• Funny,, at first I had no issues with bumps, ingrown hair ect, until a just a few days ago. After reading this thread  Tuesday am I started shaving with the grain, and saw immediate results. By the end of the day I still had bumps but it was much better then it had been,(not as red and obvious) and this am looks even better. Here is my thread which has some good suggestions
  
  http://www.slybaldguys.com/smf/index.php?topic=7684.0;topicseen
  
  Tom
• #25 by Irishdeerhunter on 15 Oct, 2008 10:54
• Today, I shaved in the shower with the grain only (stupid question but with the grain is shaving from front to back? . It required 2 applications of foam with a gentler touching up of areas missed.  I used a mirror which I held with one hand (awkward) but I much prefer it to the sink.  However, still some irritation mostly at the top to back of the head. Looking forward to next day.    
• #26 by slyzed_t on 15 Oct, 2008 11:02
• with the grain is in the direction your hair grows..
  
  mostly its
  top: back to front
  back: from the top downwards
  sides are a little different for everbody..for me its downwards
• #27 by THier on 15 Oct, 2008 11:30
• With the grain for me is pretty much from top of head down.
  
  Tom
• #28 by Irishdeerhunter on 15 Oct, 2008 14:41
• I took with the grain as in from the front of the noggin to the back using one clean swipe of the razor each time.  I assume the hair grows in the same direction for everybody.