Find the best razor for ingrown hairs and save yourself a lifetime of irritation.
Top Picks:
- Supply razor
- OneBlade
- Merkur Futur
- Merkur 23C
- Edwin Jagger DE89
No doubt about it, shaving is an easy and convenient way of getting rid of unwanted hair. Anyone with a razor can shave practically anytime and anywhere. Unfortunately, this quick and easy way of hair removal also comes with its own unpleasant side effects. The most common issues related to shaving are razor bumps and ingrown hairs. No one enjoys a face full of ingrown hairs or legs covered in red razor bumps.
The good news is that the right razor can help prevent ingrown hairs and razor bumps. These bothersome shaving issues can become a thing of the past with the right razor that takes skin care into consideration and caters to sensitive skin – like a single blade razor.
This type of razor gives a clean, comfortable, and close shave, without irritating the skin. Unlike cheap disposable razors, a single blade razor aims to give you the best shave of your life, for the rest of your life.
What Causes Ingrown Hairs?
First, let’s talk about what causes razor bumps and ingrown hairs. Razor bumps are caused by friction and the razor.
They’re the result of shaved hair growing back inwards and causing a bump on your skin’s surface. Ingrown hairs are exactly what they sound like – hair growing back into your skin instead of growing out.
Ingrown hair can be caused by dead skin clogging the hair follicle than forces the hair to grow inwards or sideways inside the skin instead of out. It is also more common in people with very thick or curly hair.
Both are annoying and unpleasant. More than that, they can also be painful and itchy, becoming more than just an aesthetic skin issue. Many people think razor bumps and ingrown hair are an inevitable part of shaving. The good news is they don’t have to be!
More and more people are learning that it’s not the act of shaving itself that causes ingrown hair and razor bumps, but the most common cause is actually using a multi-blade cartridge razor.
Yes, “the more the merrier” usually applies to most situations, but not when it comes to blades on razors. Having as many as 5 blades shaving your facial hair may seem like the best method of hair removal, but the reality is that the act of pulling and cutting hair from beneath the skin’s surface by multiple blades (instead of having the blade just stay on top of the skin) irritates the skin and makes you more prone to ingrown hair and razor bumps.
So, what’s the solution? There are a number of things you can do to prevent ingrowing hair and razor bumps.
One is having an effective pre-shaving routine which involves exfoliating dead skin and applying a pre-shave oil or pre-shave butter on your skin before you shave. When you’re about to start shaving, make sure you lather up your shaving soap well, or use an ample amount of shaving cream. After shaving, using an aftershave with salicylic acid can also help soothe and alleviate razor bumps that appear on your skin. This will also prevent ingrown hair.
Aside from establishing a pre-and post-shave routine, using a single blade razor can prevent ingrown hairs and razor bumps.
Using this type of razor results in a very close and comfortable shave without the irritation that multi-blade razors usually cause. This is definitely a must especially for men with sensitive skin and for women who want to shave more sensitive areas of their bodies.
With the right routine, and the right razor, hair removal can actually be a pleasant experience, instead of a nerve (and skin)-wracking ordeal.
What are the best razors we recommend? Take a look at some of our picks below:
Best Razor Top Picks
Supply
The Supply razor (review) is arguably the best-looking razor around. It’s sleek and modern design makes it worthy of being on full display on your bathroom counter. Form definitely meets function in this razor.
The Single Edge 2.0 comes with a 3-month supply of blades and 3 signature shave settings – Sensitive, Comfortable, and Ultra Close, promising to give you the closest shave of your life. You can choose between a lower-priced alloy version that comes in 4 different finishes and the more expensive stainless steel version.
This beautiful (there’s really no other way to describe it) razor prevents ingrown hairs by cutting hair precisely at the surface of the skin. With the Supply razor, you’ll finally say goodbye to ingrown hair.
Pros:
- Sleek and modern design
- Comes with a 3-month supply of blades
- 3 signature shave settings
- Clean and comfortable shave
Cons:
- Slippery handle when wet
OneBlade
No other razor can beat the time, effort, and money that was spent on creating the OneBlade razor (review). All of this results in its flagship product, the Genesis, becoming an heirloom-worthy razor meant to be passed on from generation to generation.
More than the sense of exclusivity this razor brings, it also gives a very close and comfortable shave, suitable for sensitive skin and eliminating the possibility of getting ingrown hairs. After the success of the Genesis, OneBlade created 2 more affordable models – the Core and the Hybrid.
One common complaint about the Core is that the head of the razor is on the bulky side, making it challenging to remove the unwanted hairs on smaller areas of the face. However, in spite this, we think OneBlade succeeded at its goal – to bring the best barbershop shaving experience home.
Pros:
- Sleek and modern design
- Lifetime guarantee (for the Genesis model)
- Gives a comfortable shave
Cons:
- More expensive compared to other razors
- Bulky head makes it hard to maneuver around the face
Merkur Futur
In 1906, a Germany company named DOVO Stahlwaren started making shaving blades and accessories. Fast forward to today, when the company has evolved into DOVO Solinger that manufactures the world-famous Merkur safety razors.
The Merkur Futur (review) not only looks good, with its all-chrome and minimalist design, but it also boasts of superior craftsmanship and an ingenious design that features an adjustment dial inside the handle.
Turn the dial to 1 for the least exposure to the blade, perfect for a trim, and turn it to 6 if you want to make sure you get every single unwanted hair off your face (or other part of your body), without a single razor bump or causing any ingrown hairs. The Merkur Futur is definitely one of the best available razors in the market today.
Pros:
- Adjustable design
- Modern styling
Cons:
- Slippery handle
- Wide head makes it hard to maneuver around the face
Merkur 23C
The main highlight of the Merkur 23C (review) is the longer than usual handle, measuring 4″. The handle also features an intricate design, which also helps improve the grip. This is a great option for people who have larger than usual hands, and also making it suitable for women looking for a razor to shave their legs.
The extra length of the chrome-plated handle provides great grip and comfort, making it easier to get rid of unwanted hairs on your skin. This razor has a totally different look from the ultra-modern styling of the Merkur Futur, but both models deliver on their promise to remove hair smoothly and comfortably, without causing ingrown hair.
Pros:
- Longer handle
- Non-slip knurling
- Well-priced
Cons:
- Lacks weight
- Smaller diameter of the handle,
Edwin Jagger DE89
If you’re the traditional-type and looking for an old-school looking, classic razor, the Edwin Jagger DE89 (review) is the best one for you. This British model is a closed comb double edge razor of the highest quality. It is popular with both beginners and experienced shavers.
The solid handle showcases a crisscross design that immediately conjurs an image of an elegant grandfather to mind. More than how it looks, the handle’s design gives a great grip, even when wet, making it smoothly glide over your skin. This allows you to easily get rid of unwanted hairs.
Pros:
- Adjustable design
- Comfortable weight
- Smooth action
Cons:
- Grip can be better
You no longer need to be afraid of ingrown hairs and razor bumps with the right razor and the right shaving routine. This tried and tested routine involves getting rid of dead skin before shaving, using lots of shaving cream or shaving soap, and applying an aftershave with salicylic acid. Prepping your skin will make a big difference in your shaving experience.
Aside from that, when you use one of the razors we mentioned above, we guarantee that your skin (not to mention the Earth and your wallet) will thank you. Shaving will become one of the things you look forward to during the day, and may even become an outright pleasant experience, instead of just a dreaded routine to remove unwanted hair.
