What is razor burn?
Razor burn is a hot and sore feeling on your skin after shaving and is the result of shaving off puckered hair follicles and irregular skin. It can be accompanied by ingrown hairs and is caused by inadequate shaving preparation and poor technique.
How to Get Rid of Razor Burn
- Natural Healing Waiting before shaving again is the first and easiest method. You can improve and speed up this process with the following:
- Use a mild exfoliant daily that contains salicylic acid. This will remove dead surface skin and prevent it clogging up your pores which can limit oxygen to the affected areas.
- Use aloe vera or tea tree oil, creams and sprays to speed up your recovery and soothe that raw feeling that accompanies razor burn.
- Change your razor. A wire guard or single blade razor will reduce the chances of you cutting and slicing your skin.
- Cut out the aftershave and other products containing alcohol which dry out your skin and increase irritation.
- Stop scrubbing and scratching. These can increase irritation and the risk of infection.
How to prevent razor burn
Prepare properly prior to shaving
- Bathing or showering first in medium to hot water provides a better and reduced irritant shave. Alternatively, you can soak some clean cloth with hot water and apply them to your skin for a few minutes.
- Exfoliation. You can use a loofah, shower puff, or a chemical exfoliant that contains salicylic acid to remove dirt, oil and dead skin so the razor will glide smoothly and evenly.
- Condition the skin. Use conditioner or skin lotion. Let it sit for a few minutes prior to shaving. Don’t rub it into the skin. This will soften the hair and make the shave much easier. Don’t let it sit longer than five minutes.
- Trade in your shaving cream or gel for some old-fashioned shaving soap, a mug and a badger brush. These provide superior lubrication, and the use of the brush stands the hair up for a superior shave.
- Consider experimenting with alternative hair removal methods. There are creams and powders that dissolve hair as well as waxes and sugar solutions that pluck it.
Shaving technique:
Make sure your blade is clean and sharp and shave in slow, small strokes tapping the razor under hot water to clean it between each stroke. Loose skin should be held taut – but not stretched. Apply only as much pressure as is needed. Shave with the grain as much as is possible to achieve the closeness you desire. If you must double back over an area, apply more lubricant (soap or cream) first.
Post-shave skin care:
Splash cold water or run an ice cube over your freshly shaven skin to close up your pores. Ice works just as well as alcohol and will not dry out your skin. Apply an aloe vera or tea tree oil balm to moisturize, soothe and cool your skin.
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