Please read!!! Cure all for folliculitis/shave bumps! I promise!!
My skincare/shaving regimen for razor bumps & acne (Black man with MD, been doing this for years)
Hi all,
I'll keep this short and sweet... I've been using this regimen for the past few years now and can honestly say I've had no issues with razor bumps, acne, etc.
First things first.. DIET!!!!!!
No serum, cream, or potion will help if you are putting toxins into your body. Again, I repeat: anything below will NOT work if you aren't drinking enough water, eating natural foods, and cutting sweets and processed foods down to zero or very minimal.
Again I repeat!!!!!! This will not work if you are not working on your diet. 99.9% of the "foods" you see in the grocery store are not food. I know it's hard with busy schedules to eat natural, but please invest in your health. Even for me, when I slip with my diet, almost the next day I'll have a new pimple or razor bump.
OK, now for the actual regimen.
The shave routine
For black men (like me) who are prone to razor bumps/ingrown hairs unfortunately, you're going to have to shave every day. I know it sounds like a lot of work but since you will be shaving every day, the actually process will take like 3 minutes.
- Splash warm water on the area you're about to shave. You need to warm up the capillaries and skin before shaving.
- Put a smooth layer of lotion on the area (any CeraVe lotion works - I use the thicker stuff here). This helps the blade glide.
- Apply a sensitive shaving foam (Gillette is fine, just make sure it's the sensitive kind). Absolutely no scents!!
- Shave from up to down, NEVER the opposite way. You want to go with the direction of your hair follicles. Be gentle.
- Use a standard razor (Gillette razors are fine - nothing fancy needed).
After the shave
Wash your face with CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser (again no scents, CereVe is really good at this).
Now here's a really important part: use Cortizone 10 Intensive Healing Anti-Itch Creme - essentially you need a 1% hydrocortisone ingredient to help with inflammation (I have used cortizone 10 and trust their processing). Think about it: you're causing micro-irritation to your skin by shaving every day (to prevent ingrown hairs), so you need some kind of anti-inflammatory layer to stop the inflammatory process that causes the bumps. Just put a light layer over the areas you shave. (I've done this every day with no side effects - you'll be fine.)
After that, use a light CeraVe daytime facial lotion over the hydrocortisone layer, and start your day.
Nighttime - the game changer
At night I use Differin Gel (0.1% adapalene) over my face in general, including the areas I shaved. (When you are first starting make sure to wear sunscreen ( every day because it essentially thins out the outer layer of your skin). Side note use a Sunscreen with physical blockers, also known as mineral or inorganic sunscreen. It utilizes active ingredients like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to sit on top of the skin and deflect UVA and UVB rays. I am weary of chemical blockers!! To many chemicals!!
Ok back to the Differin Gel! Warning: the first time I used it, my face broke out like CRAZY!!! It is a well known and talked about Purging phase. You have to stick with it though, it literally changed the composition of my skin and made it extra smooth/less oily. I used it every night for about 6 months, and now I use it maybe 2–3 times a week (I'm lazy but also don't think you need it every day once your skin becomes smoother).
Once your skin has settled
After you're past the Differin phase and your skin has settled into its new smoothness, I recommend adding Paula's Choice SKIN PERFECTING 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant (salicylic acid). Use this at night. Wash your face first, dry it and then you can put it over your skin and shaved areas about once a week for that extra glow. Then put lotion on top.
That's it.
This has worked for me SO incredibly well that I had to share. I'm obviously not endorsed by any of these companies, I've just been trying to perfect my facial routine for a while and I think the above will work.
I cannot emphasize enough how important the diet and health part of this is. Your body will literally not allow you to have smooth skin if you're drinking soda, eating sugary snacks, oily foods, and other junk. It'll be hard, but trust me, it's worth it.
Also, WORK OUT!!!! Working out isn't just something you do to be fit. It's a necessity for a long, meaningful, and healthy life. Some might even say it's a depression cure.
OK, rant over. Hope this helped at least one person!
DM me or leave a comment if you have any questions!