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How to get rid of stuff » Health Problems » How to Get Rid of Razor Burn
 

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 (Tips on how to get rid of 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. (Learn how to get rid of razor bumps)
  • 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 (For other uses of aloe vera, read 12 wondrous benefits of 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.

Resources:

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  1. August 14th, 2011 at 5:56 am    Avi Garrett Says:

    I would recommend using various home remedies to treat razor burns, as the products offered today are way too expensive and tend to contain unhealthy ingredients combined with alcohol.

    One of my favorites, is creating a sort of paste from aspirin tablets combined with hot water and rubbing it on the area, it works magically.

  2. June 9th, 2011 at 9:58 am    candice Says:

    For the ladies out there and old trick that will get rid of razor birn or stop it. After you shave apply deoderant to the area (the stick kind not gel) and it will help from getting razor burn.

  3. February 12th, 2011 at 11:44 pm    Mitch Says:

    I have this razor bumps on my pubic area and it’s been 3 days in a row now that I’m experiencing great discomfort and pain whenever I sit or lie down. My boyfriend’s Mom recommends Hydrocortisone at first, to counteract the irritation but after a day of using it, it still didn’t work out the way we wanted it to be so we switched to Neosporine Cream the following day to relieve the pain and prevent infection as well. So far, it’s doing good after a couple of days of usage. It speed up the healing process although I’m still gonna be needing a few days more to treat it. Aloe gel also helps soothes and moisturize the skin if you want an alternative treatment aside fr Neosporine. Just make sure you don’t mix them up and let your bumps or skin heal first before you put some aloe. If it’s not that serious, Alovera Gel will do.

  4. September 22nd, 2010 at 2:47 pm    Lindsay Says:

    I always use the after peircing stuff called H20cean, it says on the card it comes with that it helps with razor burn. I use it everytime and it really does work stops the annoying itch.

  5. August 11th, 2010 at 3:02 pm    Ryan Says:

    The tips in this article are perfect. When I was in high school I had razor burn that was really really embarrassing, but by exfoliating and getting the proper equipment (shaving brush was key), I managed to get over it. It’s also important to use a shaving cream specifically designed for people who are prone to razor bumps.

  6. July 7th, 2010 at 1:10 am    justin kern Says:

    OK so i’m a 16 year old kid and i had a lot of hair on my butt hole and i shaved it because it was to long i felt and after i shaved it i thought it was all good until the day after…the next day i went out side and i live in texas so its really hot and u get sweaty and i came home and i couldnt sit on my couch cuz my but ox was hurting so bad..the razor burn is on both butt cheeks and theres a LOT!!!wat can i do cuz nothings working and it hurts so bad

  7. May 31st, 2010 at 4:53 pm    Armanda Moore Says:

    Hi im 15 years old started shaving at like 10 or 11 because my mom made me and at 12 my legs started bleeding after i shaved and got red bumps all over them and they itch and burn badly and i try lotion afterwards with aloe in it but it only makes it worse wet cold rags seem to help me but why is this happening will it ever stop how do i fix this

  8. April 28th, 2010 at 1:42 pm    Chris Says:

    I once had a really bad case of razor burn/mild bumps. I then found a stragety that involves softening the hairs with a hot wet wash cloth followed by shaving of course. AFTER you shave, immediately wash your face( I shower right after I shave and wash my face with Proactiv), immediately after I dry off I always and never forget to use Hydrocortizone cream. This is THE best and MOST effective treatment along with cheap. I have been using “Maximum strength” Cortizone 10 plus” for years and can be found at walgreens or CVS. Hydrocortizone cream is an anti-itch for all types of skin rashes and such. Most people I talk to know nothing about Cortizone cream. I apply a decent layer of the cream to just about all of my face that had been shaved. It leaves your skin moisturized and will immediately take away redness, burn and bumps. The other time I ever get razor burn is when I don’t put it on. That is a fact. Some people depending on how fast they’re hair grows like me should reapply the next day either morning, night or both! I promise this works!!!!

  9. April 16th, 2010 at 6:28 am    Ashley Says:

    Ok so I’m 17 , I started shaving at the age of 13… The first year my legs were so smooth, what I don’t understand is why do I have razor burn now? I’ve tryed everything (literally) can some one help me???

  10. April 1st, 2010 at 9:52 am    Brittany Says:

    I avoid razor burn by using a new blade on my razor after using it about 8-10 times. also if you skip shaving your legs in the shower with shaving cream and wait till you get out and shave your legs with lotion it makes them 100 times smoother its amazing<3!!

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