The Ultimate Guide to Avoiding Razor Burn
Itchy, red bumps on your legs or just irritated skin? You might be experiencing a shaving rash, also known as razor burn. This is something that many people experience after shaving and it can be prevented with some simple tips and tricks.
Razor burn is a skin irritation that can be induced by anything from dry shaving to aggressive shaving or from simply reacting to some shaving products. It’s common among people who have sensitive skin or eczema. If you want to remove unwanted hair but don’t want to irritate sensitive skin then follow our guidance below.
Why do I keep developing razor burn or shaving rash?
Shaving rash can be caused by a number of factors, the main one being that you’re not using enough preparation in your shaving routine before shaving. Preparation is the key and if you are prone to razor burn, then try not to leave shaving until the last minute when you are in a rush.
Make sure to run a hot shower and use warm water on your skin for at least five minutes before starting to shave. This will help soften up the hair follicles so it’s easier to cut them with less irritation to your skin.
Never start shaving dry skin as this will cause razor burn. I know its tempting to run a quick shave over the skin, but trust us, it’s not worth it!
Another main cause of razor burn is shaving with a dull razor blade or not replacing it when necessary, which can make the blades tug at your hair instead of cutting them cleanly and smoothly.
Using an old razor also increases the chances that bacteria from previous shaves will get onto your legs adding further irritation to the mix. Make sure you’re always using a fresh sharp razor blade, a clean razor head and replace it when necessary. It really is worthwhile investing in a high-quality razor. Safety razors can be cleaned a lot more easily than disposable cartridges so opt for one of those, as part of your sustainable shaving routine.
How can I avoid razor burn?
1. Keep your skin hydrated with natural skin care products. Moisturise with shea butter or coconut oil to form a natural skin barrier on the skin’s surface.
2. Apply lotion to dry patches of skin before shaving.
3. Shave in the direction of hair growth, not against it for a closer shave
4. Use a fresh razor blade and change it often. Clean out your razor regularly so that it doesn’t get clogged up with hair/dead skin cells/lotion residue from previous shaves that could cause more irritation or infection if they’re left behind on the blades.
5. Change to hydrating shaving soap, preferably one with aloe vera or shea butter, instead of using shave cream. The shaving soap helps the blade glide easier and reduce irritation. Applying your soap using a shaving brush will also help get better consistency and help avoid dryer areas which may lead to rash. Read here for guidance on using a shaving brush.
6. Exfoliate before you shave to get rid of dead cells on top of the surface layer. A gentle scrub in a warm shower before hair removal will really help.
7. Get a good razor. A safety razor is much better at preventing razor burn because it won’t give you the same tugging feeling that disposable razors often do.
8. Rinse your skin after you shave with cool water – this will close pores and prevent bacteria from entering them.
9. Apply coconut oil to your skin after shaving- this will keep it soft and moisturised!
10. Don’t shave too often – about once a week is best for most people’s skin type. Too many shaves can lead to over-exfoliation which causes ingrown hairs, redness, bumps, etc…
If you have sensitive skin, try using an electric razor instead of a manual one because there are fewer chances for cuts and nicks as well as less chance of getting dry patches on your legs due to friction from the blades (which is what usually causes those dry patches). Electric razors also don’t require any shaving cream or soap so they’re usually easier to clean and maintain.
To help stop shaving rash on the pubic area try using cotton underwear which will allow the area to breathe naturally. Synthetic fibres can cause skin irritation.
Natural tips for treating razor burn
- Aloe vera. Aloe vera is known for soothing and healing burns. You can get a moisturising aloe vera soap or simply buy some pure Aloe gel from the store and rub it on after shaving any part of your body, it will reduce inflammation.
- Tea Tree Oil. Tea tree oil is known for its anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce redness, swelling, pain associated with razor burn. You can add a few drops of tea tree oil to either your aftershave/lotion or simply use a lotion that contains this ingredient.
- Cold Water. After you shave, rinse your skin with cold water which will help close pores and prevent bacterial infections from getting in them. Be sure not to scrub the affected area afterwards as it could cause more irritation on top of what you’re already experiencing.
- Coconut Oil. Apply coconut oil to your skin after shaving, this will keep it soft and moisturized! This is great for people with dry or sensitive skin because the oil helps trap in moisture while also keeping away bacteria that can cause more irritation on top of what you already have.
- Don’t Shave Too Often. Shaving too often can cause over-exfoliation which means you’re scrubbing off more top layers of skin than your body naturally produces on its own, so this makes it harder for new cells to grow back since the remaining ones are being rubbed away at each shave. Let the healing process happen before you shave again.
- Don’t Use Disposable Razors or Cheap Ones. Disposable razors tend to tug at the skin when shaving which can irritate it and cause razor burn. Switching to a safety razor (which has a better grip) will help reduce irritation, especially with disposable ones because they don’t provide as much control for you while shaving.
- Sweet almond oil. Sweet almond oil, as well as jojoba and grapeseed oils and vitamin E, are great for moisturizing the skin. You can use any of these just by themselves or mix them together with a few drops of tea tree oil to help repair your skin from razor burn.
- Post Shave Lotion/Aftershave. Using a post-shave lotion will help reduce irritation by keeping your skin moisturized. You can also use an aftershave with tea tree oil in it to help disinfect the area and promote healing while preventing further infections or bacterial growth.
- Witch hazel. Witch hazel is a natural astringent so it will help close pores and reduce redness, swelling, etc… It also has anti-inflammatory properties which help with the pain. You can either use witch hazel alone or add some lemon juice to it for extra skin healing benefits.
- Baking soda paste. Make a paste out of baking soda and water then rub it into the affected areas. The paste is great for exfoliating dead skin cells, preventing bacteria from spreading to other parts of your body which can cause more infections or make existing ones worse.
- Colloidal oatmeal bath. Colloidal oatmeal is great for relieving itchiness, redness and dry skin. It can also help prevent razor burn by acting as an anti-inflammatory to the affected area which will reduce pain, burning sensations etc… Simply boil some water then add a cup of colloidal oatmeal into it after taking it off the stove.
- Honey. Honey is also a great anti-bacterial so it will help prevent any infections from spreading to other parts of your body or getting worse in the affected areas. You can either mix honey with lemon juice to make a paste then apply directly onto the skin where you have razor burn, or simply add some honey into the water and sip it slowly.
How long does Razor Burn Last?
It usually takes two to three days for razor burn symptoms to clear up. Self-care and at-home treatments can aid in the quick healing of rashes. Razor bumps can last for weeks or longer. Razor bumps may be re-triggered every time you shave, making it appear like they never go away.
What cream is good for shaving rash?
If you have a very severe rash you may need to consider applying a topical cream an to the affected area, which can help soothe shaving irritation.
Does a hot towel help razor bumps?
Razor bumps are caused by trapped hairs, which can particularly affect curly hair. A warm towel over the razor bumps might help the ingrown hairs come through the skin.
Does warm water help with shaving?
Warm water makes the hairs’ tips softer. The skin is relaxed and loosened when it is heated in the shower making it easier for the razor to glide over, especially over facial hair.
Razor bumps are a common side effect of shaving. The best way to reduce or prevent razor bumps is by using the right techniques and tools, as well as taking care of your skin post shave. In this blog, we’ve provided some great tips for preventing razor rash so you can keep on shaving!
