Razor burn. Razor bumps. Shaving bumps. Razor rash. Psuedofolliculitis barbae. Whatever you call it, it’s the same thing - tiny red bumps that dot the skin, looking something like an outbreak of small pimples. They come about in some guys after they shave, and it’s bad enough when they’re on the face. But if a guy manscapes, he may then come up with penis bumps, which are even more unsightly and problematic - not least because, being located on or around the penis, they may cause a partner or potential partner to wonder if they have something to do with a guy’s penis health.

Why?

So these penis bumps might come about when a guy decides to shave that thicket of hair between his legs. But why should that produce razor burn in the form of bumps? And why do only some guys seem to get it?

Most of the time, razor bumps occur because of an ingrown hair. This generally means that after a hair follicle has been cut, it reverses itself and, instead of growing out, it starts growing back inside the skin. This causes an inflammation, which in turn leads to swelling that eventually becomes the bump. These bumps, because of the inflammation, can be painful to the touch and may produce a stinging sensation.

Although anyone can get an ingrown hair, it is a more common occurrence in men whose hair is curly, as the curl increases the chance of the hair re-entering the skin.

Sometimes razor burn occurs not due to ingrown hairs but because of shaving dry skin or pressing too hard while shaving. Men who use dull blades while shaving may also develop the problem.

What to do

So if a guy wants to fight against penis bumps from razor burn, what are some steps that he can take?

- Clip it first. If a guy is manscaping from scratch, he should use scissors to trim the pubic hair down to a more manageable size.

- Give it a once-over. Before bringing a razor into play, be sure to clean the area thoroughly. Use an exfoliating substance or warm, soapy water all over the area. It’s important to clear away as much dirt as possible before starting to shave.

- Be sure to use shaving cream. Some guys opt to just use water or to shave dry, but neither option is good, especially if a man is prone to razor burn in the first place. Shaving cream helps the hair follicles absorb water and makes them become better, more pliable targets for the razor.

- Move gently. Don’t press down hard on the skin or shave "aggressively," as this is likely to cause irritation and more easily facilitate penis bumps from razor burn.

- Change blades. Dull blades, as mentioned, can cause razor burn, so be sure to change blades or, if using disposable products, change razors whenever they start to get dull.

- Be careful about repeating strokes. It’s not unusual for a razor to take off most shaving cream in an area with one stroke, but many men then rinse off the blade and go over the shaved area again. This decreases moisture, adding to the likelihood of razor burn.

- Moisturize afterward. Shaving can dry out the skin, so it’s important to moisturize it again after shaving, to help prevent future razor burn.

Being careful with the razor can help reduce penis bumps, as can using a top-notch penis health oil (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin). Oils that contain a combination of a high-end emollient (such as shea butter) and a natural hydrator (such as vitamin E) can help keep the skin moisturized so that razor burn from dry shaving is less likely. In addition, an oil with alpha lipoic acid, a potent antioxidant, reduces the chance of oxidative stress, which can weaken skin and thereby increase risk of ingrown hairs.