The Black Informant | African American Commentary, News and Community Building

When I was with some HMO, a doctor I selected was a reservist. He saw the razor bumps I had, even using Magic Shave, and commented that he was in a battle with “upper brass” to get exceptions for some Black men in his wing to so they don’t have to shave as close as required. He also told me a couple of Jewish people have the same condition.

After I graduated from college, I worked for the government. There were active military members in my group, one a Black military man who shaved, but not closely. Another woman in our group gave him a hard time about it and he asked her to search for a skin condition commonly called “razor bumps” by Blacks and if she got the correct medical name for it, he would tell her why he didn’t have to shave closely. She looked it up and he told her of the condition and how it affects him and then produced his waiver, which he has to keep with him at all times for when the upper brass stops him about his facial hair. He can’t use Magic Shave, even the mild version, because of what it did to his skin.

I stopped using Magic Shave years ago because of damage done to my skin. A dermatologist said it was better to suffer the razor bumps than continue using it, and I used the mildest they offered.

I, too used to have a terrible problem with razor bumps from my teen years into my early 20′s. I used Magic and hated it because of the burning sensation on my skin and the smell. However, it wasn’t until I stopped using a razor and started using clippers did I notice a difference. While I may not be able to get skin tight close, I am able close enough while still giving the appearance of a very close shave.

When I did security for just over 2 years, we were also required to shave like the guys in the article. They were pretty strict with this policy and I never got in trouble for it.

Part of the problem is the fact that our skin grows in a spiral pattern unlike our White bruthas. When cut too close (as with a razor), oftentimes the hair follicle will create a bump in an attempt to grow outside the skin. Unless these bruthas are trying to wear a bush up under their necks, using clippers should give them a close enough shave to allow their gas masks to seal properly without producing bumps. I think that there is more to this story.

I have serious doubts that they are the only Black men out there who are in a position that requires wearing a gas masks and have not figured out a way to deal with razor bumps.

There is an excellent product that stops razor bumps. I try to tell as many people as I can about it. Everyone I tell about it agrees that it works amazingly. You have to try Black Opal shaving products. I used to get razor bumps pretty bad in college and tried everything. The only thing that worked for me was Black Opal.

I think they have 4 products:

Black Opal Pre-shave wash

Black Opal Shaving Gel

Black Opal After Shave Lotion

Black Opal Razor Bump repair

If you have them real bad I would recommend you use all four until they clear up. I currently only use the after shave. Every once in a while I use the Repair lotion. I shave with a razor every couple days with no problems at all now. It works pretty fast too.. I’m talking within a few days. And you will notice that your skin feels different (soft and smooth) immediately.

I used to get it at Walgreens and the grocery store but they both stopped selling it for some reason. Now I get it online (ebonyline.com). I cannot stress enough how good this stuff is and it is not expensive. Try it out and pass on the info.

They stopped selling Black Opel in my area. The razor bump repair *WORKED*.