Why You Keep Getting Ingrown Hairs - And How to Finally Stop

If you're dealing with razor bumps, ingrown hairs, or irritated skin every time you shave, the problem probably isn't your technique. It's your tools — and there's a straightforward fix.

Some mornings it's a bump. Sometimes it's a cluster of them. You shave, your skin flares up, and by the time it's settled down it's time to shave again. If that sounds familiar, you're not imagining it - and you're not doing anything wrong.

The problem is almost certainly your razor.

Why Some Men Are More Affected Than Others

Men with curly or coily hair are disproportionately affected by a condition known medically as Pseudofolliculitis Barbae - what most of us simply call razor bumps or ingrown hairs. After shaving, the cut hair curls back toward the skin rather than growing outward, burrowing back in and causing inflammation, raised bumps, and in many cases, persistent dark marks that linger long after the bump itself has healed.

Studies suggest the majority of men with tightly coiled hair experience this to some degree. And yet most are still using the same multi-blade cartridge razors that make the problem significantly worse - because those razors are designed to pull the hair before cutting it, slicing it below the skin surface and dramatically increasing the chance of it growing inward.

The Switch That Changes Everything

A traditional single-blade safety razor cuts cleanly at the skin's surface, without the pulling action of a multi-blade cartridge. That single change alone makes a significant difference for men prone to ingrown hairs - but it works best as part of a proper wet shave routine.

Here's what a good routine looks like:

• Pre-shave oil - applied before anything else, it softens the hair and creates a protective layer between your skin and the blade.
• Quality shave soap or cream - not the foam from a pressurised can. A rich lather genuinely lubricates the skin and allows the razor to glide rather than drag.
• A single-blade safety razor - this is the cornerstone. Brands like Muhle and Edwin Jagger are both excellent starting points.

Men who make the switch typically notice a real difference within a few weeks: bumps reduce, skin begins to calm, and the dark marks left by months of chronic irritation start to fade. Shaving goes from something you dread to something that's actually part of a decent morning.

What We Stock at The Gentry

Everything on our shelves — and in our online store — is hand-selected by myself and my business partner Nick Gahagan. We don't stock anything we haven't used and stood behind ourselves.

For anyone new to traditional shaving, we'd recommend starting with a quality safety razor, a pre-shave oil, and a rich shave cream or soap. Our own Gentry Collection includes a 100% natural pre-shave oil and shave soap, both proudly made in South Africa and formulated specifically for real skin protection — not just a passable lather.

A Better Morning, Not Just a Better Shave

There's a reason traditional wet shaving is having a moment. Men are increasingly aware that what they put on their skin matters — and that slowing down to do something properly is more satisfying than rushing through it badly.

The Gentry exists to celebrate exactly that. The best version of your morning routine isn't faster. It's better. More intentional, more enjoyable, and kinder to your skin.

You'll find everything you need at thegentry.co.za or in store at the Lifestyle Centre, Ballito.