If you've never had a razor burn, you have reason to rejoice. Most women at one time or another experience this painful side-effect of shaving. Apart from the burning, there's also itching, scratching, and the effort of hiding the razor bumps.
Is there any way to make shaving more comfortable? Here are our top tips.
Razor burn- what is it?
This is a temporary skin irritation that occurs after shaving. Signs include itchy red bumps, temporary redness and inflammation, and a burning, hot sensation on the skin. Some people refer to it as a "rash" rather than a burn because of how it feels.
What causes this? There are various causes, some of the most common ones being too much pressure, shaving too fast, a dull razor, incorrect preparation of the skin, or failing to use a gel or lotion.
How to shave safely
Relieving your skin involves two steps: shaving safely and treating any resultant problems immediately. Here's how you can shave carefully and reduce your risk of suffering any irritation.
- Clean razor. A dirty or worn out blade is one of the leading causes of razor burn. Change your razor whenever it gets old.
- Exfoliate. Regular exfoliation removes any trapped hairs left behind after shaving. These hairs cause red, temporarily inflamed bumps. A day or two before shaving, use a body scrub on your legs and under your arms. Note: Avoid exfoliating and shaving on the same day, because you could overwhelm your skin.
- Use warm water. You'll have a more comfortable time shaving after a shower or while in the bath since the warm water softens the hair and opens the pores.
- Lubricate. Using shaving creams and gels creates a layer between the razor and your skin, reducing the risk of burning and your chances of cutting yourself.
- Wash first. Dirty skin has a build-up of oils that creates a rough shaving surface, increasing your risk of rashes. Wash your skin thoroughly first. Try our Awakening Organic Body Wash for a stimulating cleanse.
- Shave slowly. Do it slowly, using long, even strokes. Ensure you rinse the razor in hot water after each stroke.
- Use light pressure. Move your hand as lightly as you can. Pushing too hard rips some skin off along with the hairs, which can lead to irritation and itching later.
- Rinse thoroughly. Once you've finished, rinse thoroughly with warm water.
- Apply aloe. Using an aloe after-sun gel or other aloe-based lotion after shaving can calm the skin. Try our Rosehip & Calendula Triple Cream, which has calming calendula, aloe, jojoba, and other nourishing ingredients.
Treating razor burn
Sometimes, you might still get razor burn even after doing everything correctly. Here are some tips to soothe your skin.
- Aloe. This ingredient is cooling to the skin. Try a lotion with lots of aloe, such as our Awakening Organic Body Lotion.
- Aspirin paste. Crush 2 uncoated aspirins and mix with 1 teaspoon of warm water to make a fine paste, then apply to your skin for 10-15 minutes.
- Oatmeal bath. Oatmeal is very soothing to the skin. Grind up some oatmeal, mix it into your bathwater, then soak in it for 20 minutes.
- Tea tree oil. This oil will soothe and prevent the formation of rashes after shaving. Mix with water then spray or rub on your skin.
- Apple cider vinegar. Dilute it in water using a 1:1 ratio, then apply to your skin and let it absorb.
- Calendula cream is naturally soothing and also provides post-cleansing protection.
- Green tea. Prepare a cup of green tea, cool it in the refrigerator, then apply to the skin with a soft cloth for a calming effect.
- Fresh avocado. Put a slice of avocado in the refrigerator. After a few hours, smooth it over the razor burned area. It will cool and moisturize your skin perfectly.
- Witch hazel. This extract is soothing, and it helps to protect and cleanse the skin.
- Almond oil. It has soothing and intense moisturizing effects.
- Coconut oil. It's very moisturizing and helps calm your skin.
- Strawberries and sour cream paste- Mash some strawberries into some sour cream and apply to the skin for 10-15 minutes. The strawberries reduce the swelling and redness attributed to razor burn, while sour cream is cooling.
- Shave less frequently. If you're prone to razor burn or bumps, reduce your frequency of shaving.
With love,
The Sole Toscana Beauty Team
