5 Ways to Get Rid of Razor Burn

Sometimes, we have to shave in less than ideal situations or with minimal supplies, like when you’re forced to dry shave, hack down long hair with just a razor, or use an old, dull razor blade that’s been in the medicine cabinet for months. Sometimes, we even forget and shave in the wrong direction. These 5 ways to get rid of razor burn will help you the next time you’re forced to shave in a less than ideal situation where razor burn and irritation result.

How to get rid of razor burn can be especially important if you have an important event coming up and need to look your best, or you simply need relief from the tender, red, itchy bumps that shaving can sometimes bring.

These red, itchy, tender bumps are caused by shaving over hair follicles, which leads to irritation, inflammation, or possibly a micro infection when the hair tries to grow back. (Source)

Ben Franklin said, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”, and this is especially true when it comes to shaving.

In order to have a proper shaving routine, you should do the following:

Take a warm shower and cleanse the area with a gentle cleanser. Cleansers containing salicylic acid help to exfoliate the skin, breaking down molecular bonds so dead skin cells can be sloughed away. This process is also known as “hydrating”, where oil, dirt and dead skin cells are removed, leaving soft, clean hair as a result.
Gently exfoliate for 30 seconds using light pressure with a rag, scrub or soft mechanical tool. See 10 Tips on How to Exfoliate for Men (and Women) for a full rundown on how to exfoliate properly.
Apply a pre-shave oil to fill in any microscopic voids in the skin, and to provide a slick barrier so the razor can effortlessly glide along the skin when shaving.
Grab a quality shaving cream, gel or butter and apply to the skin. Remember to avoid creams that come in aerosol cans, as the propellant can dry out the skin.
Shave in short strokes with the hair grain.
Rinse with cool water to get rid of any oil, hair, or shaving cream, and to constrict pores.
Apply an aftershave oil or balm without alcohol to soothe skin and lock in moisture.

Remember to:

• Use a sharp, clean razor blade

• Avoid shaving everyday (if you are able)

• Moisturize day and night

• Use a shaving brush with cream to raise the hair prior to shaving

As you can see, a lot goes into a proper shave!

But, we don’t always have the necessary supplies or luxury of shaving perfectly every time it’s necessary. So, razor burn and irritation can result.

When this happens, there are a few ways to get rid of razor burn.

5 Ways to Get Rid of Razor Burn

1. Warm Towel Compress

Using a towel saturated in warm water, compress it onto your skin to open pores. Feel free to gently rub the area with the towel to exfoliate the skin above the follicle. Don’t rub for more than a few seconds though, as this can lead to further irritation.

2. Witch Hazel

Grab some witch hazel and put it onto a cotton ball, then apply it to the razor burn area. Witch hazel, due to its tannin content, may help as a natural anti-inflammatory, astringent and antiseptic.

3. Aloe Vera

Aloe vera has long been known for its ability to soothe irritated skin. It is commonly marketed to help treat sunburned skin, but evidence also shows that it can be an effective intervention for first and second degree burn treatments, according to this meta-analysis.

Luckily, aloe vera gel is non-comedogenic, and is commonly used as a base for moisturizer recipes. So, you can spread a thin layer over skin to soothe razor burn. Make sure it doesn’t contain fragrances or artificial color to prevent further irritation.

4. Hydrocortisone Cream

Like witch hazel, hydrocortisone cream contains potent OTC anti-inflammatory effects. Follow its directions and with a doctor’s recommendation.

Hydrocortisone cream can be a little greasy, so it’s not great for large areas on the face. It’s best for single spots, but using a lot of it may lead to acne. So, discontinue use if acne occurs.

5. Tea Tree Oil

According to a 2006 study, tea tree oil has been used for nearly one hundred years in Australia as an anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial.

Tea tree oil can mitigate possible bacteria on the skin while simultaneously soothing skin.

But, it is very potent and should be used with caution.

Mix only one to three drops of tea tree oil to one teaspoon of a carrier oil before applying to spots. Good carrier oils include: argan, hemp seed, sweet almond, and jojoba.

In doing further research, you might run across other ways to get rid of razor burn. These ways may include using apple cider vinegar, coconut oil, or baking soda. However, in writing previous articles, I have found that although some of these ingredients have their pros, I believe the cons outweigh them. For example, coconut oil has a high comedogenic rating, meaning it has a pretty high chance of clogging pores. Apple cider vinegar has been shown to burn skin, so I cannot recommend it. Baking soda can lead to further irritation, especially if you have sensitive skin.

Regardless of which form you choose to get rid of razor burn, good luck, and I hope this guide helps!

To hide razor burn, try a concealer for men. Learn about them here!

-Chris

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