How to Avoid Razor Burns

Razor burns or razor bumps after shaving appear for various theoretical reasons. Razor burns often show up as red razor bumps after shaving sensitive areas such as the bikini line. It’s cheap, fast, and easy, though, to avoid them. This eHow article will show you exactly how to avoid razor burns in a way that works remarkably well for others.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Gather your materials. The next time you shave in the shower, tub, or over the sink, set a small covered container of sugar, and another small (about 2 ounce) container of virgin coconut oil pre-mixed with a few drops of tea tree oil in a reachable location, and make sure your hair conditioner is available as well. If you don’t use hair conditioner, purchase a small travel sized bottle of any commercial hair conditioner. Make sure your razor is new and sharp.

2. Shave last. If showering or bathing, try to shave last so there’s more of a chance for the skin and hair to soften, a necessary step to avoid razor burns.

3. Exfoliate the area first. Scrub a pinch of sugar into the sensitive area to exfoliate and remove any dead skin. It’s been reported that razor burns happen when dead skin cells trap hairs that are pulled during shaving but not completely shaved off, so exfoliation removes the dead skin cells before shaving, helping to avoid razor burns because the dead cells can’t trap the hairs.

4. Condition and shave in the proper direction. Apply hair conditioner and leave on for a minute or two. Then shave the sensitive area with hair conditioner instead of soap or shaving cream, and don't shave against the hair growth direction -- shave with it. It’s also been reported that when the hairs have been softened, any missed hairs are less likely to recoil and snap back into the skin, which can cause inflamed razor bumps. Hair conditioner is especially formulated to soften hair. Some very moisturizing shaving creams or gels might work also to avoid razor burns. But if you already have a shaving cream that you like, and already have hair conditioner, you can start right away without adding a new product.

5. Apply virgin coconut with tea tree oil immediately after shaving. Dry the shaved area first and quickly, then immediately apply the oil blend. Another theory is that mild infection from the irritation in the area also contributes to razor bumps after shaving, so to help avoid razor burns from this cause, rub on a touch of virgin coconut oil which is known to have anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, and anti-viral properties which infections can’t become immune to and which is soothing rather than painful to apply. The added tea tree oil penetrates and further disinfects. Virgin coconut oil is in both the body care and cooking oil sections of natural and progressive grocery stores. Be sure not to get “refined,” but rather, “virgin” coconut oil to get all the positive effects. Tea tree oil is in health food stores and is very concentrated, so be sure to dilute it with the coconut oil.

6. Disinfect the razor. It's important to get rid of problem bacteria in order to avoid razor burns. If your razor isn't the kind with a moisturizing strip, dip it in rubbing alcohol after each shave.

Tips & Warnings

• This article doesn’t diagnose, treat or cure disease, and doesn’t replace your doctor. Author disclaims liability and offers article for educational purposes only. Parents are responsible for any activities involving their children. Author’s articles are registered with the national copyright office and protected with Copyscape

[Summersile]

on 6/23/2009 Good tips, I'll give em a try, and Here's Hopin'.

[kristara]

on 5/24/2009 Great tips! I will have to try these because I do get razor burn