Treat Razor Burn
Nothing takes the sexy out of being clean-shaven quite like breaking out into fiery red bumps. To treat razor burn, follow these steps. Since an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, you’ll also find advice for avoiding future razor burn.
Contents
Steps
Prevent Razor Burn
- Use high quality razors that are customized for your particular situation. The gender specific ones are really nice, but make sure they are affordable enough to make discarding them after a few uses.
- Open your pores with warm water. If the skin is softened from the heat and/or steam, it will make your results much better. Rinsing with warm water is also recommended.
- Always use shaving cream, lotion, or gel. This reduces inflammation by keeping the area lubricated. Ideally you would want to use a badger-type brush to sufficiently apply the cream.
- Leave the shaving cream on for at least 1 minute before shaving. This allows it to do its job.
- Use correct shaving techniques. Don't push the razor into your skin when you shave; the razor’s weight should be enough pressure to take off the hair. Additionally, shave with the direction of the hair. Though the shave won’t be as close, this will significantly reduce irritation – particularly since a too-close shave is what encourages ingrown hairs in the first place.
Treat Razor Burn
- Apply aloe-vera gel. The aloe vera allows for protection from the environment and has analgesic qualities that reduce swelling, soothe the irritation, and form a barrier which protects the skin from infection and promotes healing.
- Apply lotion containing glycolic acid. In controlled studies, this has caused a 60% reduction in lesions and even allowed participants to continue shaving daily with minimal irritation.
- Apply lotion containing salicylic acid. Though it’s more commonly thought of as an anti-acne treatment, it has also been shown to treat razor burn.
- Avoid products containing alcohol. Alcohol dries out skin and further clogs pores.
- Apply cool water or an ice pack. This can soothe the area by reducing inflammation.
- Avoid shaving that area for a while. The most sure-fire way to overcome razor burn is to let the hair grow out. As you do this, keep the skin clean and exfoliated to prevent clogging the pores and further encouraging ingrown hairs.
- Ask your dermatologist about Yttrium-Aluminum-Garnet laser treatment. If this is a serious issue, you may want to take more stringent measures. Controlled studies have shown that laser treatments can significantly reduce razor bumps for months.
Tips
- Always take your time when shaving.
- Remember - the more times you must go over the same area, the more likely you are to get razor burn.
- Avoid touching or having clothing on the affected area as it irritates it more.
- Apply lotion 30 minutes after finishing your shower. This will allow for your pores to close and will help minimize irritation.
- If you are unsteady in the shower while shaving, shave instead in the bath.
- Hydro-Cortisone cream can also help with the redness and discomfort. You can also try using cold water on a washcloth to soothe discomfort.
- Applying Vaseline can moisturize the area and smooth the burn!
Warnings
- Laser treatments can be expensive. Weigh your options with your dermatologist and try cheaper methods first.
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Sources and Citations
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