Ingrown Hairs and Razor Bumps on the Butt: Why They Happen and How to Avoid Them

Updated September 2026

Ingrown hairs on the butt are hairs that curl back into the skin after shaving, waxing or tweezing, and razor bumps are the rash of small, inflamed bumps that shaving-related ingrowns cause. A single ingrown usually clears on its own within one to two weeks, and razor bumps typically settle a few weeks after you stop shaving the area. For both: warm compresses, hands off, gentle exfoliation around (not on) sore bumps, and a change in how you remove hair so fewer come back.

What's the difference between ingrown hairs and razor bumps?

They're closely related, and the names often get used interchangeably: Cleveland Clinic notes ingrown hairs are sometimes called razor bumps. The useful distinction is scale and trigger. An ingrown hair is one hair growing back into the skin. Razor bumps, which doctors call pseudofolliculitis, are an inflammatory reaction when many shaved hairs do that at once, and DermNet says they can appear anywhere hair is shaved or plucked.

Folliculitis can look almost identical, and DermNet notes that a similar shaving rash caused by infection is folliculitis rather than razor bumps. If you're not sure what you're dealing with, our guide to buttne vs. folliculitis vs. KP goes deeper, and breakouts that aren't tied to hair removal are covered in how to get rid of butt acne.

Why do ingrown hairs and razor bumps show up on the butt?

• Hair removal. Shaving, waxing and tweezing remove the hair but not the follicle, and new growth can curl back in. Cleveland Clinic says this is more common with thick, curly or coarse hair.
• Hair that grows in several directions, so it's easy to shave against the grain without noticing
• Poor visibility. It's hard to see what you're doing, so people press harder and go over the same spot.
• Friction from underwear, leggings and sitting
• Dead skin sitting over the follicle opening

How do you get rid of ingrown hairs and razor bumps on your butt?

Don't pick, squeeze or dig (we mean it)

The hair is right there, we know. But the NHS warns that scratching, picking or squeezing ingrown hairs can damage your skin and lead to infection. It also raises the odds of scarring and dark marks that last for months.

Pause shaving the area

The most reliable way to settle razor bumps is to stop making new ones. DermNet says they usually subside about 4–6 weeks after you stop the hair-removal method that caused them. If you can't stop entirely, trim instead of shaving for a few weeks, and don't shave over a single ingrown until it heals.

Use a warm compress

Hold a warm (not hot), damp washcloth on the bump for 10–15 minutes, a few times a day. It softens the skin and can help a trapped hair work its way out.

Exfoliate gently around sore bumps

The NHS suggests using an exfoliating scrub to help release trapped hairs. On damp skin, two to three times a week, gently exfoliate the area. Becky Booty Scrub is a fragrance-free walnut shell scrub that lifts dead skin so the area feels smoother; use a small scoop and light pressure. Don't scrub directly on a raised, sore bump, and don't scrub freshly shaved skin.

If you have a deeper skin tone or get dark marks easily, keep it especially light. The AAD warns that aggressive exfoliation can lead to dark spots.

Consider an over-the-counter active

A benzoyl peroxide wash, or a leave-on product with salicylic or glycolic acid, can help keep follicles clear. Start every other day, since both can dry or irritate skin. DermNet lists benzoyl peroxide and prescription tretinoin among the options doctors use for razor bumps.

Keep it clean and give it air

Wash the area gently every day and wear loose, breathable underwear while it settles.

When should you see a doctor?

Most ingrowns don't need one. The NHS says to see a GP if an ingrown hair or the area around it is very painful, hot or swollen, or if you have a fever or feel unwell. See a dermatologist if bumps keep coming back after you've changed how you shave: the AAD notes that razor bumps left untreated can cause permanent changes such as raised scars. A clinician can free a trapped hair with sterile instruments and prescribe treatment if it's infected. Deep, painful lumps that keep returning in the same spots, like the buttocks or inner thighs, can be hidradenitis suppurativa, which also needs a dermatologist.

How do you shave your butt without getting ingrown hairs or razor bumps?

1. Exfoliate a day or two before, not the same day. Lifting dry, flaky skin ahead of time gives the razor a smoother surface. Then give freshly shaved skin 24–48 hours before you exfoliate again. For example: exfoliate Monday, shave Tuesday, exfoliate again Thursday.
2. Shave when hair is soft. The AAD suggests shaving at the end of a shower or holding a warm, damp washcloth on the area first, so hairs are less likely to curve back into the skin. Never shave dry.
3. Use a moisturizing shave cream or gel. A fragrance-free formula is ideal. Let it sit for a minute to soften hair before you start.
4. Use a sharp blade. The AAD recommends replacing a disposable razor after 5–7 shaves and storing it somewhere dry. For people prone to bumps, its dermatologists suggest a single-blade or electric razor.
5. Shave in the direction the hair grows. Butt hair often grows in different directions, so check each area first. A hand mirror helps.
6. Use light, single passes, and don't shave too close. The AAD advises against close shaves and heavy pressure, and the NHS says leaving at least 1 mm of stubble can help reduce ingrown hairs. Rinse the blade often.
7. Cool down and keep aftercare simple. Rinse with warm water and hold a cool, damp washcloth on the area, as the AAD suggests, then use a fragrance-free moisturizer. Skip perfumed lotions and alcohol-heavy aftershaves.
8. Wear loose cotton underwear for the next day to cut friction on freshly shaved skin.

What are the alternatives to shaving?

• Trimming or an electric razor. Both leave a little stubble, which the NHS says makes ingrowns less likely. It's the easiest switch if bumps keep coming back.
• Hair removal cream. The NHS lists it as an alternative to wet shaving. Patch test first, and keep it off broken or irritated skin.
• Waxing or sugaring. Both remove hair from the root, but they hurt more, cost more and can still cause ingrown hairs as hair grows back.
• Laser hair removal. DermNet lists laser hair removal among the options for persistent razor bumps. It takes several sessions and not every laser suits every skin tone, so book with a board-certified dermatologist.

FAQ

Are razor bumps and ingrown hairs the same thing?

Nearly. Razor bumps are ingrown hairs caused by shaving, usually many at once, with inflammation around them. A single ingrown can also follow waxing or tweezing. Care and prevention are the same for both.

Should I tweeze ingrown hairs out?

Don't dig. If the hair is under the skin, leave it and use warm compresses. If it's clearly looped above the surface, a doctor can release it with sterile instruments. Picking at it at home raises the risk of infection and scarring.

Can I shave my butt crack?

You can, very carefully: hand mirror, fresh blade, plenty of gel, in the direction of growth. Because the area is hard to see and gets a lot of friction, trimming instead of shaving close, or going to a professional, is often easier on your skin.

Why do ingrown hairs and razor bumps leave dark marks?

Inflamed skin can make extra pigment, which leaves a mark after the bump heals (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation). It's more noticeable on deeper skin tones and fades slowly, often over months. Not picking helps. See why is my butt darker?

Can men get razor bumps on the butt?

Yes. Anyone with coarse or curly hair who shaves the butt or the backs of the thighs can get them. Same cause, same fix.

Are ingrown hairs dangerous?

Usually not; most clear in one to two weeks. Watch for signs of infection, such as spreading redness, heat, swelling, pus or fever, and see a doctor if you notice them.

Where does Becky Booty Scrub fit in?

As a pre-shave step. Used gently a day or two before you shave or wax, it lifts dead, flaky skin so the area feels smoother. It's an exfoliating scrub, not a remedy for an infected or inflamed ingrown, so keep it off freshly shaved skin and active bumps. The biggest difference comes from how you remove hair.

The bottom line

Ingrown hairs and razor bumps come from the same thing: hair growing back into skin, mostly after shaving. Let active bumps settle with a pause in shaving, warm compresses and no picking. Then shave soft hair with a sharp blade and gel, with the grain, in light single passes, and exfoliate a day or two before rather than right after. For where exfoliating fits in the rest of your week, see our butt skincare routine. Anything hot, swollen or recurring goes to a doctor.