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How to Get Rid of Razor Burn

March 8th, 2006 by admin
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1. What is razor burn?

Razor burn (aka razor bumps) is the result of shaving off puckered hair follicles and irregular skin. It is often accompanied by ingrown hairs and is caused by inadequate shaving preparation and poor technique. This article will show you how to treat and prevent razor burn.

2. Razor burn treatments

Since razor burn usually results in scabbing and raised skin, the best way to get rid of it is to allow it to heal before shaving again. There are of course, additional steps you can take to speed up the healing process:

Do:

  • Use a mild exfoliant that contains salicylic acid daily. This will slough off old, dead surface skin that otherwise could clog up your pores and limit oxygen to the effected areas. Do not scrub razor-burned skin. (ow!)
  • Use aloe vera or tea tree oil creams and sprays. They will speed up your recovery and soothe that raw feeling that accompanies razor burn.
  • Shave carefully until it heals, switch to a razor with a single-blade or wire guard for a while. The shave won't be close, but you won't be slicing your skin up before it can heal either.
  • If you continue shaving, combine these steps with the preventative steps in the next section.

Do not:

  • Use any products containing alcohol - it will dry out your skin and increase irritation.
  • Scrub or scratch razor burned skin. It will increase irritation and the risk of infection.
  • Apply colognes or perfumes to razor burned skin.

3. How to prevent razor burn

Proper razor burn prevention involves reducing the likelihood of slicing off anything other than hair. Adopt the following steps for a few weeks and see how they work for you:

1. Prepare your skin and hair for the shave:

  • Bathe and exfoliate first. 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.
  • Cover the area to be shaved with conditioner or skin lotion and 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 either as your skin will start to absorb the moisture and puff up, keeping you from getting a close shave. Alternatively, you can soak some wash cloths with the hot, steamy water and apply them to your skin for a few minutes.
  • Shaving brushTrade in your shaving cream or gel for some old-fashioned shaving soap, a mug and a badger brush. These soaps are less expensive, provide superior lubrication, and the use of the brush stands the hair up for a superior shave. Find them at your local supermarket.

2. Shaving technique:

  • Make sure your blade is clean and sharp.
  • Shave in slow, small strokes tapping the razor under hot water to clean it between each stroke. A blade full of hair won't sit evenly against the skin.
  • 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.

Brrrrrrrr!3. 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.
If after following the previous steps you still find yourself getting razor burn and ingrown hairs, 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. If you're set on shaving, see if your barber or stylist will teach you how to shave with a straight razor.

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  1. Ashley Says:
    June 18th, 2009 at 6:01 pm

    oh my god. i really wish i had read this before i went on and shaved my bikini area :(
    i am itching like hell right now… but good thing im done school so i dont have to go out in public and worry about scratching that area in front of people. haha.

  2. Marcus Says:
    June 1st, 2009 at 7:11 am

    hey yo i jus tried shavin my balls 4 the first time last week n i got the bumps n want them gone

  3. Kara Says:
    May 29th, 2009 at 5:42 am

    Both me and my boy friend tried several post shave treatments for razor burn. After trying and throwing out who knows how many partially used creams & jells we found one that worked.

    Its PrivaShave for Women and PowerShave for Men.

    Has anybody else here tried it?

  4. Emma Says:
    May 7th, 2009 at 9:13 pm

    I’ve been reading some of these comments and it is horrible how we all suffer from razor burn. WHENEVER I shave my legs I get horrible bumps. They’re red and raised and look like zits on the back of my thighs. Even when I shave with special creams and gels, new razors, and put on lotion afterwards, NOTHING HELPS. ): I think I’ve got good legs but they are covered in this “razor burn”, so i’m always scared to wear shorts and swimsuits because it looks like leg acne. I HATE IT. And the worst part is my sister gets perfectly smooth legs when she shaves. ):
    Well, about products that might help, I’m hopefully going to try this product called TendSkin. It has a really good reputation. (:
    Good luck to you all!
    (:

  5. jeri Says:
    April 9th, 2009 at 6:27 am

    Im 15 and I’ve been shaving for about a year. I put lots of lotion on my shaved areas (which is everywhere) and I still get those horrible bumps. It puts me down cause it sorta looks like herpes. Any advice plez and thank up

  6. billy Says:
    March 27th, 2009 at 1:46 am

    my skin looks like pure ass rite now.. I have razor bumps and burn out the ass.. im so pissed.. im about to try this shit though

  7. vanessa benavides Says:
    March 11th, 2009 at 2:12 pm

    Okay so, i dont even know if its razor burn but thats is what everyone tlls me. It really itches and I stopped shaving. I scratched so hard it started to bleed a little on some mini bumps. Any suggestions?(im trying to not scratch or shave)

  8. Belen Says:
    March 1st, 2009 at 1:00 am

    Hey everyone. I’ve had a bad case of razor burn ever since the first time I ever shaved. Shaving is really tough on me especially since I have very sensitive skin. My boyfriend also has sensitive skin and he uses an electrical razor. I’m inclined to using one since I had a friend that had sensitive and she also used an electrical razor becuse depilatory creams and razor manual shaving irritated her skin. I’ve tried it on my legs and it’s not harsh at all. I think this might sove a lot of the burn problems.

  9. MAMA WOLF Says:
    October 1st, 2008 at 12:58 pm

    Venus razors do NOT suck. I love mine, I have the Venus Embrace and it’s the best razor I’ve ever used. And by the way, bikini zone does work wonders. But you feel oily after. I usually just dilute tea tree oil with water and apply it to the area, then after it dries i out cocoa butter on it. It helps a lot.

  10. Blah Says:
    September 15th, 2008 at 1:08 pm

    off-brand razors work better than name-brand ones with the same amount of blades.
    also, using a new razor each shave helps.
    sure, it may be an inconvienience, but it helps with irritation!

  11. nikki Says:
    September 14th, 2008 at 11:15 pm

    just quit shaving

  12. Kayleigh Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 12:04 pm

    I get razor burn so bad that i just want to break every razor in my home… I’ve tried so many different types of shaving gels and creams.. and NOT to mention a million types of razors..
    but i did find one razor that actually didn’t give me any irritation.. it’s made by Noxema.. it’s made for the bikini area and it works wonders! so dump all the other stuff girls and spend the extra couple dollars on those..
    best of luckā™„

  13. Cricket Says:
    September 6th, 2008 at 4:52 am

    I absolutely agree!! Throw all Venus shaving products away!!!!!! I used the battery operated one today and I am in PAIN! Oh, My Gosh!
    I am headed in to the kitchen now to put tea bags on it and hope that it soothes it enough to sleep.
    Interesting to find these comments.

  14. Rachel B Says:
    September 3rd, 2008 at 11:44 am

    Allison, if you really need your bikini area clear long term, the best thing to do is get it lasered. It does take a while (months to a year or so). In the long run it’s great, especially if you plan to continue your swimming activities. It’s expensive–but the bikini area is quick (only takes about 15 min.) per session to get it lasered. You won’t have any more rash, bumps, or shaving!

    Warning though, my first laser treatment made me itch so bad I wanted to jump out a window. So get some good itch cream (benadryl cream) before your first treatment. The itching gets less and less with each treatment. And less and less hair grows back each time.

    I recommend American Laser Centers. They’re reasonably priced, nation-wide, and have top equipment. And no, I don’t work for them!

    Hope this helps. Good luck.

  15. shmenka Says:
    August 24th, 2008 at 11:30 pm

    a product called bakini zone helps me and i get it REALLY bad

  16. molly Says:
    August 12th, 2008 at 6:33 pm

    i have really bad razor burn and i cant get it to go away. i heard from a friend that you can put a non-scented lotion on the burn, but not to rub it completely into your skin. and after you put the lotion on, tap baby powder on top of it. i was just wondering if anyone had tried this to see if it would work because i dont wanna be wasting my time doing something that isnt going to help it. please comment or email back. thanks!

  17. wonderwall Says:
    August 11th, 2008 at 1:34 am

    I agree with Rachel. I shaved with Venus and I was scarred for life. Literally. I have been trying to get rid of my razor burn for years and have suffered through many unsuccessful attempts.
    My next door neighbour’s daughter also shaved with Venus and she cant stop bawling over its nasty effects
    Please throw your Venus away ladies ( and guys, if any…LOL) and do switch the TV when you see their stupid commercials.

  18. Carla Says:
    August 2nd, 2008 at 9:49 pm

    okay. i have really bad razor burn. today i saw articles about what other ppl did for it. i have Burts bee’s outdoor herbal deoderent, baby bee diper rash ointment, and baby bee buttermilk lotion. i started w/ the deoderent, rubbed in, and applied the diaper rash ointment, then the lotion. i’ve applied it twice now and it alrady looks better!!

    hope this helped!!!

  19. Missi Says:
    July 31st, 2008 at 10:52 pm

    stop shaving. we could all look like amazon women!!!! LOL

  20. Rebecca Says:
    July 23rd, 2008 at 10:01 am

    Has anyone tried waxing instead of shaving? I just tried it for the first time b/c I was told that it’s good for ingrown hair etc…and can make your hair more fine over time. But I got really bad “razor burn” and was wondering if this kinda thing gets worse before it gets better????

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