How to get rid of razor burn: Tips for razor burn-prone skin
Whether your razor is manual or electric, razor rash is no joke. Those sore, red, and often bumpy patches that sometimes appear after shaving can feel unbearably itchy and irritating, and might even ruin your entire look. But it doesn’t have to be this way.
Razor burn can happen to anyone but it is avoidable. So, how do you treat razor burn? And how to avoid razor burn in the first place? Let’s find out.
Preventing razor burn by understanding its causes
Razor burn can happen anywhere on your body; it’s an inflammation of your skin that occurs because of how the blade you’re using moves across your skin. Some common causes of razor burn are: Each of these causes point back to three areas that heavily influence the potential for razor burn to develop: Today, we’re going to outline some ways to stop razor burn by focusing on these three areas.
How to prevent razor burn before shaving
Let’s step back and focus first on preventing razor burn before you start shaving. We’ve found that soothing treatments can help calm the skin after the damage is done, but prevention is the best cure. That means good shaving prep.
1. Exfoliate and cleanse
Always start your shave by washing and exfoliating your face – it’s worth the five extra minutes. Exfoliation is key, especially if you have dry or sensitive skin, as it shifts dead skin cells and dirt from the top layer of your skin and brings ingrown hairs to the surface. There’s no need to go to town, though. Just use a light exfoliating facial scrub in the shower before shaving to prepare the skin and prevent razor burn. Then wait and cool down for a sec. You want your pores open, but if your skin is too hot and puffy, you won’t get a good shave.
2. Soften the hair up Whether you’re partial to shaving cream, lotion, or gel, it’s a good idea to soften up the hair for a better shave. That way, when your blade glides across your skin, it will have minimal resistance from your hair. That can make all the difference when wondering ‘how to get rid of razor burn’. Using a shaving brush to apply your chosen product can help you get full coverage while leaving it to sit for a few minutes (just minutes, mind) can help soften the hair further.
How to prevent razor burn while shaving
Everyone has their way of shaving, and we’re going to give you some easy steps to implement into your routine that can really help in preventing razor burn and irritation whilst shaving:
3. Shave better With a manual razor, you’re often scraping against the skin, removing a thin layer each time. As you can imagine, this can easily lead to cuts and irritation, causing the eventual razor burn. Using an electric rotary shaver in a circular motion can help you get at hairs without multiple passes, as it helps the hairs to stick up. Use only light pressure, and try not to go over the same area repeatedly. The result? An easier (and pain-free) experience.
4. Work with clean, sharp tools Make sure to rinse your shaver or razor before, after, and during the shave at regular intervals. If you’re using a manual razor, remember to replace it often – dull blades will need more passes to catch the hairs, causing irritation.
While less likely, you can also develop an electric razor rash – especially if you don’t use your tools properly. Commonly, electric razor burn happens when you wear out the shaver blades. To prevent an electric shaver burn you should clean the blades after every use, replace worn blades, and ensure that you’ve always charged your shaver!
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What you need
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Philips Norelco Shaver series 7000 Wet & Dry electric shaver
S7887/82
Close shave, advanced skin protection
The Philips Norelco Series 7000 glides smoothly over your skin, while cutting each hair close - even on 3-day beards. Equipped with SenseIQ technology, the shaver senses, adapts and guides on the correct motion, for better skin protection.
See all benefitsHow to stop razor burn from appearing after shaving
Even if you’ve given your skin the gentlest shave of all time, you might still end up with razor burn. When that happens, you need to indulge in some soothing aftercare to address the irritation. So how do you treat razor burn? Read on to learn more in step five.
5. Apply soothing products After your shave, rinse your skin with warm water and pat it dry: don’t rub. Then apply a moisturizer or aftershave balm – just avoid anything alcohol-based, as it may cause further irritation (as well as the stinging sensation you may be familiar with). If you want to know how to stop razor burn quickly, try aloe vera gel. Aloe vera has been known to treat sunburn and can be used for razor burn as well. It helps to soothe the skin, reducing the redness and healing the burn. It’s great to have on hand if you’re prone to shaving burns!
6. Wait for longer intervals between shaves Are you now wondering how to avoid razor burn going forward? If you’re particularly prone to razor burn, it can help to give your skin more recovery time in between shaves. This might mean choosing a beard style that you’re happy to let grow out a little. And what about learning how to treat razor burns that linger for longer than usual? If your skin irritation seems to hang around, or feels like it's getting worse instead of better, then it’s best to seek medical attention. You should also do a patch test of any new skin products before using them, in case of allergic reactions. And that’s it! Now you can shake up your shaving routine with our tips on razor burn, and you’ll soon see a difference in your entire look. For more advice on shaving with sensitive skin, check out our guide to tackling shaving irritation here. And if all else fails, you can always simply grow a full beard. Almost anyone can pull one off, after all.
