We know that many men and women suffer from beard plague, which is red bumps, itching, soreness and irritated skin after daily shaving. Beard plague can be very annoying and hard to get rid of - but luckily, we have some tips up our sleeve that we'd love to share with you! In this guide, we'll tell you what you can do in the future to significantly minimize the risk of razor bumps and red bumps.
It goes without saying that the products you use before, during and after shaving make a big difference! If you protect your skin optimally and give your Razors the best conditions for a good glide, you'll also experience skin that's in much better balance after your shave. Luckily, we have a lot of great products to help you on your way to beard plague-free skin!
But first! What is beard plague?
Pancreatitis is a harmless and widespread inflammatory condition that can occur in the hair follicles after shaving. The infection typically occurs if you use unclean shaving equipment or dirty towels/washcloths to dry your face before, during or after shaving. Plague and the associated red bumps can also be the result of ingrown hairs that cannot come out, causing inflammation of the skin.
Symptoms of beard plague
Psoriasis can look and feel different in different ways. However, these symptoms will typically be the most prominent:
Small red bumps, reddish skin, painful skin, itching or soreness and small fluid-filled blisters.
Where do you typically get beard plague? And who gets it?
Where do you get beard plague?
Beard itch typically occurs on the face and neck - but many people also experience beard itch after shaving. After shaving, it's common to experience red bumps, which are actually an early stage of beard plague. These red bumps indicate an infectious condition that irritates the skin and signals the need to let the skin rest. It is important to be aware of this phenomenon when shaving to avoid further irritation.
Who gets beard plague?
Everyone is at risk of getting beard itch - men and women alike. However, some skin types are more prone to beard plague and red irritated skin than others. This includes those with sensitive skin and oily skin. If you have one of these skin types, you should be extra careful to follow the advice below.
Step by step: How to prevent beard plague
The cleanliness of your skin has a big impact on the outcome of your shave.
So start your shaving routine by cleansing your skin or shave right after showering.
This removes dirt, grime and excess oil that can clog pores and cause impurities.
A Preshave is an indispensable product if you want a perfect shave without irritation.
Preshave puts a protective film on the skin and softens the stubble, giving your Razors even better glide and reducing the risk of irritation.
Choose between a Shaving Foam in a bottle, a Shaving Soap or a Shaving Cream.
The purpose of the products is to moisturize and give your Razor an optimal glide to avoid cuts and irritations.
The most important element of a comfortable, irritation-free shave is to use clean shaving tools and a sharp Razor Blade. This way you prevent unnecessary bacteria from being part of your shave.
Always Razor with the direction of the beard - never against. This is to avoid burning and ingrown hairs. Regularly rinse the Razor under warm water while you shave. Shave in front of a mirror so you can keep an eye on what you're doing
Finish your shave by rinsing your face in cold water and dab gently with a clean towel.
Then apply your Aftershave. Use an Aftershave balm as it is more gentle than an aftershave lotion. The balm adds the right amount of moisture and care to the freshly shaved skin.
Still having problems?
... Then there is only one piece of advice to follow: Let the beard/hair grow.
If you can't get rid of the plague and red bumps, it's a good idea to try growing out your beard. By growing a full beard for a period of time, you give your skin a rest and therefore remove the conditions for the plague to spread.
Products we recommend for beard plague and red bumps:
Let's start by emphasizing that applying a protective product before you shave is the alpha-mega! Shaving on completely dry skin is the biggest culprit when it comes to razor burn and red bumps. So always remember to apply a protective coating to your skin to give your Razor the best conditions for a great glide - it will benefit your skin!
Finding out which products are best to treat and/or minimize the risk of beard plague can be a jungle. We're here to help you along the way and have gathered the products below that we would definitely recommend you keep on your bathroom shelf:
Ingrown Hair Treatment, Murdock
Murdock London has created an Ingrown Hair Treatment, which is an indispensable wonder product. It effectively fights the infection once the problem has appeared. It should be applied in a thin layer on the skin. In the beginning, it's a good idea to do both morning and evening. You will already notice an improvement after a week.
Murdock London has won an award in the UK for "best ingrown hair product" for this product.
Alum block
An alum block is a multifunctional product that can be used in several different ways. It is an antiseptic product made from naturally occurring potassium. Its bactericidal and antiseptic properties soothe redness and relieve irritation, and are a great help if you tend to experience irritation or burning after shaving.
An alum block is ideal as a healing Aftershave if you have sensitive skin!
It's super easy to use. All you need to do is wet it with cold water. Then gently rub it around your face. Finally, dry your skin with a clean towel.
Products for sensitive skin
First and foremost: Use a Preshave if you're prone to razor bumps and red bumps after shaving! Many people skip using a Preshave as the first step in shaving (or intimate shaving), and that's a big mistake. A Preshave lays down a protective coating so that your Razor glides over the skin more easily. By minimizing nicks and cuts, you also reduce the risk of beard plague.
Always choose products for sensitive or delicate skin if you suffer from beard plague and a tendency towards red bumps. For example, try Proraso's white range, which can be used by both men and women. It is made especially for sensitive skin - and consists of Preshave, Shaving Cream, Shaving Foam, Shaving Soap and delicious Aftershaves that soothe the skin optimally.
Beard Balm
It's then a good idea to use a soothing balm. A Beard Balm minimizes discomfort, itching, irritation and redness. Make sure to get the balm under the stubble to give the skin optimal moisture and care.
Do you prefer a Beard Oil, which has a more liquid oil consistency, you can also use a Beard Oil for this purpose.
Healing Gel
Have you had an accident and cut yourself?
Proraso's Shave Cut Healing Gel stops the bleeding if you've accidentally cut yourself or gotten a small cut.
Apply a small amount of gel to the tear and the bleeding stops.
More good advice:
- Wash the shaving kit thoroughly after use.
- Change your towels daily.
- Never borrow a shaving kit or towel from someone else - and never lend out your own.
- And remember: Barber. never completely dry skin! This is by far the biggest risk for beard plague.
Author: Pernille Lanng
