Razor bumps are irritating, painful, itchy and unsightly. You can alleviate the problem with shea butter, which is soothing and naturally anti-bacterial. However, the best way to combat razor bumps is to prevent them in the first place. There are several things you can do to make your skin free of both hair and razor bumps.

If are suffering from razor bumps, apply 100 percent shea butter directly to the irritated skin. Reapply several times a day, until the razor bumps are gone. To best treat razor bumps, apply shea butter immediately after shaving. Before applying, dry your shaved skin by blotting it with a soft towel -- rubbing can further irritate the skin.

To avoid razor bumps, wait until the end of your shower to shave. Once your skin has soaked up enough warm water and steam, your pores will open up and the hair on your skin will soften. Opt for warm water since hot water will zap your skin's moisture. Do not use soap for shaving. Instead, use raw shea butter by itself or make your own shaving lotion with equal parts shea butter, coconut oil and olive oil.

Before you put the razor to your skin, thoroughly wash away the soap from any body part you intend to shave. Soap is drying and increases the risk for razor bumps. Shave in slow and steady strokes and thoroughly rinse the razor between strokes. Store your razor outside of the shower, suggests dermatologist David Colbert, M.D. The shower's heat and humidity creates a harboring ground for rust and bacteria, both of which can irritate your skin.

Apply shea butter to the skin at bedtime to keep it moist. For additional protection against razor bumps, exfoliate once or twice a week. This will prevent ingrown hairs, which are the main culprit for razor bumps. Make your own exfoliate with ingredients from your kitchen: coffee grounds, sugar, almonds, oatmeal, corn meal or sea salt. Simply add one or more of these coarse ingredients to shea butter a little at a time until you have a paste. Add water if the mixture is overly thick. Exfoliate in small circles for several moments and then rinse with warm water.