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Do plan to communicate with us on a regular basis until (a) you achieve total clearing, (b) you’ve stopped “bumping up”, (c) your shaving habits are ‘on point’ and (d) you’re consistent with your home care and new shaving method.
Do try shaving with the PFB Bump Fighter or BIC Disposable for Sensitive Skin with an unscented shaving cream, gel or soap, or use a sanitized non–rotary liner or clippers. Use disposable razors only once.
Don’t attempt to use those double, triple, four or five-blade “closer-shaving” razors if you’re bump-prone. The first blade stretches the skin, while the other blades shave too close, cutting the hair off below the skin line. When the skin “bounces back”, those hairs are set up to be trapped repeatedly under the skin every time you shave that way.
Don’t tweeze or wax your ingrowns and don’t let anyone else do it for you. Tweezing and waxing are not permanent hair removal. When these hairs start to regrow (in two to three weeks), they get trapped in the curved hair follicle below the skin line. Those areas quickly become “hot spots” of chronic ingrowns, thickened skin and scarring. Resist the urge to get in that mirror to tweeze or pick.
Authorized release: Do unhook visible surface ingrowns with a sterile needle and snip the hair off with a clean cuticle scissor. Do not attempt to “dig out” deep ingrowns!
Don’t pick at your razor bumps or tamper with your skin. This introduces secondary bacteria, leading to inflammation, delayed healing, larger dark blemishes and scarring.
Don’t even think about trying a rotary shaver. Circular blade motion cuts the hair in every imaginable direction. Count on major trouble if you’re even slightly bump-prone.
Don’t stretch your skin and shave upward, against the grain, or go back and forth over the same spots trying to get a closer shave. The built-in trade-off is shaving less close and more often. The reward is smooth skin and fewer bumps
Don’t use those trimmers designed for shaping eyebrows from the beauty supply store.
Don’t use depilatories or shaving powders (which contain lye) if you want to achieve an even skin tone. They cause chemical burns and inflammation will cause a dark shadow in the beard area, which darkens with repeated sun exposure.
Don’t forget to spray clipper disinfectant on razors, clipper and/or liner blades, guards and attachments before and after shaving to kill bacteria and prolong the life of the blades. Don’t forget to take it with you to the barbershop. Do watch for barbershop sanitation (or lack of it). Don’t attempt to take a blade to your face for the very first time until you understand how to shave and what to shave with. You must be using the appropriate products to discourage shaving bumps.
Don’t try to use the same clipper and liner blades for the rest of your life. Do change your clipper, trimmer and liner blades every three to four months. Take them with you to the beauty supply to make sure you purchase the right blades.
Don’t share your clippers, trimmers or liners with anyone….ever.
Don’t over-scrub your skin or rub your face with a towel. Instead, blot your face dry with a soft hand towel or a Viva paper towel. Don’t wipe off sweat; blot dry instead! Do plan to purchase home care product refills before you run out, use your sunscreen religiously, and don’t slack up on your routine.
Don’t get electrolysis unless your practitioner uses the ‘blend’ method and has lots of experience working with darker skin tones and curved hair follicles. Ask us for a referral.
Do explore laser hair removal if your practitioner uses a laser designed specifically for darker skin tones and is experienced working with people of color. Ask us for a referral.
Note: Individual results will vary and require compliance. Maintain results with corrective home care products, diligent sun protection, not shaving too close and professional treatments.