Is it normal i have these painful red bumps after shaving my pubes?

I'm a man, and i shaved my pubes for the first time about 3 or 4 days ago now. Ever since, i've had these painful red bumps where the hairs were, and it hurts when the little hairs coming in are moved. I've tried several times using creams and ointments and scrubbing with soap, but they are still there and haven't gotten any better. Some of the bumps have even turned to zits (pus-filled, not very big).
Is any of this normal?

Voting Results
86% Normal
Based on 227 votes (196 yes)
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Comments ( 10 )
  • squirrelgirl

    Normal. I get those red bumps when shaving down there too. It's called Razor Rash.

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  • pixiedust&nightglow

    It's called razor burn/bumps. All you have to do is start shaving in all directions. not just one, because the hair down there grows in every direction: up(faceing you), down(facing ground), right, left and diagonal in these ways as well. Also start shaving with Skintimate or moisturizing conditioner or baby body wash. You might also have sensitive skin down there. When you get out of the shower after you're done shaving, pat dry, don't rub (sound weird, I know, but just trust me on this). Then wait about 10 minutes and put deodorant on the freshly shaved skin. wait another 5 minutes before putting on underwear and you shouldn't have that problem anymore if you keep this up(: PS it happens to me too, that's how I know to do this. So DO IT! IT WORKS. Promise(:

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    • pixiedust&nightglow

      You also have to keep up with shaving, you can't just shave every now and then. Shave once a week. Depending on how fast it grows back...

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  • thegirlknows

    i cut them with a scissors but not all the way down so it does not hurt and i dont get rashes ethier

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    • RaNdOmPoPcOrN

      Me too haha

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      • thegirlknows

        lol i thought i was the only one who did that! lol

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  • Ldizzy1234

    It sounds like ingrown hairs. Don't worry about it. It'll probably go away after a while.

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  • NikkiFL

    Totally normal!! (and annoying, I know). Some good tips: - after shaving, wash area with mild anti bacterial soap (dove liquid foam is good). After drying off the area, apply (Externally, not internally.. lol) either regular green aloe gel (the unscented kind) or a personal favorite of mine (works for both guys and girls) is Sally Hansen no bumps bikini spray (vanilla scented). It comes in a small, convenient portable spray bottle and smells and works great. It's inexpensive and you can get it at CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, etc. That's what I do and I don't get bumps anymore.
    If you aren't on a budget and can find it at a salon or order it online, Tend Skin Liquid Solution is amazing. It's runs about $20-$35.

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  • tbiM20

    Absolutely normal. If you plan on doing this again, a few tips:
    1. Exfoliating your skin before/after (not a harsh abraisive) will help the hairs come back cleanly, otherwise you get ingrown hairs (the zits you described)
    2. Use a good lubricating shaving cream to avoid razor burn
    3. Use a SHARP blade, or it will tug the hair & not shave cleanly.
    4. Don't rub with a towel when drying, it will irritate your skin
    5. Moisturize after shaving

    These go for any body part you choose to shave. Also, like Frosties said, you might prefer to trim instead of shaving. A small electric trimmer, or small manicure scissors, would work fine.

    For the ingrown hairs you have, get some sharp-pointed angled tweezers (any pharmacy or makeup section of a store) and gently help the hair out by popping the "pus" with the sharp tip and working it out by squeezing/using the tweezers. Don't try to cut or dig into your skin... the hair will come out eventually. Remember to clean the tweezers and the spot with alcohol after.

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  • Frosties

    Completely normal. When you shave a hair, the bit that remains under the skin now has a sharp edge where you cut through it. As it pushes through the skin, it irritates it, and causes the problems you're having. When the sharp tip of the hair grows beyond the skin, the rash will start to go down.

    You could always keep the hair very short with scissors or trimmers. Most women don't seem to mind that. Whereas certain people will be turned off by either baldness or naturalness.

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