Large painful red bbumps after shave

I get large red bumps after I shave every time. I still get them when I use shaving cream too. I have been told they are in-grown hairs. How can I prevent them and/or get rid of them faster?  I cannot afford getting a bikini wax every time needed. and would lazer treatment be the ultimate remedy?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,

These red bumps which appear on the skin after shaving are called folliculitis.It ios also called barber’s itch.It is a staph infection of the hair follicles in the beard area of the face, usually the upper lip. Shaving aggravates the condition.

Apply warm moist compresses on the red bumps and antibiotics applied to the skin (mupirocin).Severe cases may require antibiotics taken by mouth (dicloxacillin).Also use a clean new razor blade or an electric razor each time.

Hope it helps.Take care and pls do keep me posted on how you are doing.