How to Eliminate Razor Burn

Avoiding razor burn to begin with may be easier than dealing with a painful skin rash once it's started. The old saying, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure," is right on the money when it comes to razor burn.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• hot shower or bath
• shaving gel or cream or bar soap
• aloe vera gel
• a sharp razor

1. Purchase good razors. Gender-specific razors are designed with handles and blades at the precise angles to allow for optimal shaving of faces (for men) and legs (for women).
2. Choose a razor that is affordable enough that you can discard it after a few uses. Shaving with a fresh, sharp blade requires less pressure, and that means less razor burn. Consider a single-blade razor; double-blade razors shave closer, but also exfoliate more skin cells and can cause more irritation.
3. Shave at the end of or after your shower or bath, after your skin is softened from the heat and steam. This will allow for a closer shave with less abrasion.
4. Lather on a shaving cream or gel designed for sensitive skin before shaving. Shaving gels are thicker and offer more protection from razor burn than shaving creams. If you use soap, a soft bar soap offers more protection from razor burn than liquid soap, shower gel or hard-milled bar soap. Avoid using a deodorant soap for shaving if you are prone to razor burn; it dries skin.
5. Take your time.
6. Allow the razor's weight to take off the hair. Avoid pushing into the skin.
7. Go over an area just once. Excessive pressure and multiple swipes remove layers of skin, which leads to razor burn.
8. Shave no more than once a day. If necessary, do touch ups with an electric razor. Use minimal pressure to avoid irritating your skin.
9. Splash shaved skin with cold water after shaving is complete. Be sure to rinse off all shaving cream, gel or soap, which can cause irritation.
10. Apply lotion 30 minutes after finishing your shower, if at all. This will allow for your pores to close, also minimizing irritation.
11. Treat existing razor burn with pure aloe vera gel. Aloe vera has analgesic qualities that reduce swelling, soothe skin irritation and form a barrier that will protect your skin from infection. It also promotes healing.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are unsteady in the shower while shaving your legs, try taking a bath instead. This allows greater stability when reaching distant areas and placing the razor at awkward angles.
• If razor burn is an ongoing problem for you, consider laser hair removal. Though not truly permanent, a couple of passes with a laser can eliminate hair growth for many months or even years.
• If your skin is broken or already showing signs of razor burn, try shaving in the same direction as the hair grows. Your shave will not be as close, but it will save your skin from further irritation.