FRESH START
GET RID OF RAZOR BUMPS ONCE AND FOR ALL Razor bumps are ingrown hairs that occur after shaving or using other hair removal techniques, like waxing or plucking. Ingrown hairs occur when hair starts to grow back into the skin curled or turned inward, rather than up and out. As the new skin cells grow over the hair, it becomes trapped and causes a bump to form. Here is how you can treat razor bumps: 1. SALICYLIC ACID Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid that helps exfoliate, or peel, skin cells. It can penetrate oil glands in the skin to unclog pores as well as fight inflammation. Salicylic acid works to alleviate razor bumps and allows the ingrown hair to make its way out of the pore. It also reduces the appearance of the bump. 2. TEA TREE OIL Before using this to treat your razor burn, do a small patch test on your skin to make sure you won’t have an allergic reaction or any irritation, as
tea tree oil can be strong on sensitive skin. Then spread a thin layer over the skin with razor bumps. Let it sit for 15–20 minutes, and then rinse off with cool water. 3. TWEEZE If the ingrown hair is visible, it may be helpful to use sterile, pointed tweezers to pull it out. Removing the trapped hair could get rid of the razor bump quickly. Be sure to sterilize the tweezers with alcohol and cleanse the skin and hands with soap and water before tweezing.
TRY TO AVOID RAZOR BURNS BUMPS ALTOGETHER BY PRACTICING GOOD SHAVING HABITS. Avoid shaving: 1. Quickly 2. Too frequently 3. On dry skin 4. With an old razor 5. With products that irritate your skin 6. Against the grain of your hair 7. Too close to the skin by pulling it when you shave
If the hair is not visible on the surface of the skin, using tweezers could make the problem worse. The tweezers could injure the skin, causing more irritation and infection. 4. USE A WARM WASHCLOTH Applying a warm, wet washcloth to the skin can help soften the skin and draw the ingrown hair out, especially when a person pairs this technique with one of the other treatments above. Similarly, a person may wish to steam the area in a hot shower or sauna.
DIY: ANTI-INFLAMMATORY RECOVERY DRINK Lower inflammation in your body with this simple and tasty natural drink. BY JESSICA CLERKE
© ISTOCK / PEOPLEIMAGES
in·flam·ma·tion (noun) a localized physical condition in which part of the body becomes reddened, swollen, hot, and often painful, especially as a reaction to injury or infection. If you’re recovering from an injury or you’re training for a race, you may have some inflammation that needs to be treated. Along with proper medical care, here is my favourite anti-inflammatory recovery drink to help with my aching knees. Studies have shown that turmeric and cinnamon have anti-inflammatory properties, which can ease swelling while you’re training—while apple cider vinegar contains a number of vitamins and antioxidants that can help speed up the healing process. LIGHT A RELAXING CANDLE
Ingredients: 2 Tbsp of apple cider vinegar 1 Tbsp of lemon juice ½ tsp of coconut sugar ½ tsp of ground cinnamon ¼ tsp of turmeric 20 oz. of water Handful of ice Pinch of salt Directions: Shake it up and enjoy! 13
