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Barber's itch is the common term used to describe three different types of skin infection:
• Pseudofolliculitis barbae,
• Sycosis vulgaris and
• Tinea barbae.
You would know if you had one of the last two, because large, painful sores are present. The first one, Pseudofolliculitis barbae, is the most common kind. It may be dismissed as razor bumps, even when the irritation and itching becomes hard to deal with. If you do have it and you don't do something about it, it can become folliculitis or boils, both of which are very painful.
• What Causes Common Barber's Itch?
Shaving, shaving lubricants, aftershave lotions and other skincare products cause the irritation. The razor bumps, which look like pimples, occur when the hair starts to grow back, but curls into the skin, instead of straight out of the follicle. This causes inflammation. Bacteria naturally present on the skin can cause infection in the follicles, which leads to further inflammation.
• How to Prevent Barber's Itch and Skin Infections
The first step is to choose your skincare products carefully. They should be free of alcohols, fragrances and petroleum-based oils like petrolatum or mineral oil.
Alcohol causes excessive dryness, which increases the risk of irritation. Although alcohol is sometimes recommended to reduce the risk of skin infection, there are better alternatives.
Fragrance ingredients are well-known skin irritants. The body responds to the irritation by releasing inflammatory compounds. This type of skin inflammation increases the risk of razor bumps.
Petroleum-based oils clog the pores, increasing the risk that the hair will grow back into the follicle to cause classic barber's itch. Light plant-based oil, such as grape seed oil, will not usually cause the problem.
• Men - When You Shave...
The razors you use should be sharp and clean. If you use disposable razors, replace them after one use. This will also reduce your risk of skin infection, because bacteria can build up on the blades. Plain grape seed oil can be used as a shaving lubricant. If you can let the hair grow for a week or so, the razor bumps should gradually disappear.
Following shaving, you should always use a good moisturizer. For men, I recommend a facial fluid, that is free of irritants and also contains witch hazel, a natural astringent that helps to keep bacteria under control.
• Also Do This...
Every two weeks, you can use a Deep Cleansing Mask to further reduce your risk of barber's itch and other types of skin infection. The mask contains kaolin, Functional Keratin and active manuka honey. Let me explain the benefits of these ingredients.
• What are the Benefits?
Functional Keratin and active manuka honey will help reduce the inflammation and speed healing if an infection is present. The ingredients have natural anti-inflammatory and antibacterial activity.
Kaolin is a clay extract, which also has anti-inflammatory activity. It has a mild pulling action, which can help to ensure that the hair grows straight out of the follicle, instead of curling inward.
The benefits you will see if you use the mask on a regular basis will include:
o Fewer razor bumps
o Relief of barber's itch
o Reduced redness
o Clearer, cleaner, healthier looking skin
You will also reduce your risk of more serious skin infection like a boil or folliculitis, if you continue to use the mask regularly. For best results, use the facial fluid, too.
• What You Should Do Now...
Here's your next step for healthier, more radiant skin care - Sign up for our FREE SKIN CARE GUIDE and NEWSLETTER. Just CLICK the link that says FREE SKIN CARE GUIDE in the Resource Box below. Go there now. "You'll like the way you look."
