The format of the product you wash your face with is a personal choice. What is important is that you make use of a product that is formulated specifically for the face, as our facial skin differs to the skin on the rest of our body.

The architecture of coarse, curly hair, particularly African hair is the main culprit here. Instead of growing normally out the follicle, the curly nature of the hair encourages it to curl back in on itself. This results in an ingrown hair which can be itchy, swollen and often painful. Razor or shaving bumps occur when the hair emerges normally from the follicle, but embeds itself in the adjacent follicle, collecting dirt, dust and bacteria along with it. The end result, a painful, swollen and frequently infected razor bump that is hard to heal and often leaves scars.

A healthy skin is your first defence against any type of skin problem. This starts with cleaning your skin twice daily, exfoliating regularly and keeping your skin well-nourished and hydrated by moisturising daily.

The product is safe to use twice daily for an indefinite period - no harm will be caused to the skin.

Start by preparing your skin by gently wiping with a moist warm towel or facecloth. Washing with a circular motion can help to dislodge ingrown hairs.
Next, use a lubricating shaving gel or foam to soften the hairs before cutting them.
Shave using a single blade razor "along the grain", following the direction of hair growth without stretching the skin and rinse the blade after each stroke.
If using clippers, ensure these are kept clean to stop risk of infection.
After shaving, apply a gentle, alcohol-free balm or lotion to replenish moisture and soothe skin which may be vulnerable.

Ensure you maintain a regular skin care routine with products that treat your particular skin concerns. In the case of razor bumps and ingrown hairs, you need to cleanse and moisturise daily, along with gentle exfoliation. A dedicated exfoliating mask or scrub can also be used 1 or 2 times weekly. For acute conditions, a specialised spot treatment may also be effective. As the “culprit” for this condition is the hair itself, for some individuals, this condition requires ongoing care and maintenance to treat the symptoms and minimise the recurrence - but as long as the hair keep growing, bumps and ingrowns can never be completely prevented.