Razor burn is painful and can lead to even more troublesome occurrences like ingrown hairs, acne, and scarring. While many men are lucky enough to never experience it, some unfortunate men seem to get razor burn from even the most innocuous of shaves. Why is this? And more importantly, how can you prevent it?
What is Razor Burn?
Razor burn is a very uncomfortable condition in which a man will get a rash, redness, and irritation after shaving. Shaving with a dull razor is the most common cause of razor burn. Razor burn can also be caused by shaving too quickly, shaving too often, or shaving with too much pressure. Razor burn is very common in men who are prone to acne and who have sensitive skin.
Razor burn is usually red and itchy. It can also cause your skin to become dry, flaky, and scaly. Razor burn can sometimes be misdiagnosed as an ingrown hair, but razor burn does not actually cause a hair to grow inwards. Razor burn is caused by the irritation that occurs after shaving.
How Razor Burn Happens
Razor burn is caused by a combination of factors. Shaving with a dull blade is a major cause of razor burn. As the blade passes over the skin, it will cause micro-cuts and abrasions, resulting in irritation and razor burn. Razor burn can also be caused by shaving too quickly, with too much pressure, or with a razor that's too sharp. When the razor is too sharp, it will use too much pressure as it glides across your face, which can cause razor burn.
When you shave, you're often scraping against your facial hair and your skin. This can be quite irritating in sensitive areas or areas with thick, coarse hair. Razor burn can also be caused by using cheap shaving cream or soap. High-quality shaving creams and soaps will help lubricate the skin and hair, preventing razor burn.
Does The Quality of Your Razor Really Matter?
Yes, the quality of your razor is extremely important. In terms of preventing razor burn, you'll want to use a sharp razor that glides smoothly across your face. Using a dull razor is probably the most common cause of razor burn. If your razor is dull, it will cause micro-cuts and abrasions on your face, resulting in razor burn.
Shaving with a dull blade can also cause the razor to press too hard against the skin. If the razor is pressing too hard against the skin, it will be more likely to cause razor burn.
Razor burn is often caused by a combination of factors. For example, using a cheap shaving cream or soap can cause you to use too much pressure on your razor, which can then cause razor burn.
What About Shaving Cream?
Shaving creams don't always protect your skin from razor burn. In fact, sometimes the opposite is true. Using a cheap shaving cream can cause you to use too much pressure on your razor, which will then cause razor burn.
A good shaving cream will glide smoothly across your face and will lubricate the skin and hair. This helps to prevent razor burn, and it also helps to prevent ingrown hairs.
Using good shaving cream will also help to prevent nicks and cuts. If you don't get nicks and cuts, you won't get ingrown hairs or razor bumps.
How Often Should You Shave?
Try to limit your shaving to once every 2 or 3 days. This will prevent your skin from getting too irritated. If you must shave more frequently, try using a high-quality shaving cream or soap. Using a good shave cream or soap will help to lubricate your skin and hair, which will help prevent razor burn.
If you need to shave more frequently, try using a sharp razor. A sharp razor will press less firmly against your skin and will be less likely to cause razor burn. Keep using sharp, fresh razor blades, and try to limit your shaving to once every 2 or 3 days.
Tips For Preventing Razor Burn
- Shave with a sharp, clean razor. Using a dull blade will cause you to use too much pressure, which can cause razor burn. Also, keep your blades clean and replace them when needed.
- Shave with the grain. Shaving against the grain can cause ingrown hairs and razor burn. Many men find that shaving with the grain causes ingrown hairs, but some men don't. If you do get razor burn after shaving with the grain, switch to shaving in the direction of the grain.
- Use a good shaving cream. Shaving cream will help lubricate the hair and skin, preventing razor burn.
- Use a shaving gel. Shaving gel can be even more effective than shaving cream at preventing razor burn, but it does tend to be more expensive.
- Shave slowly. If you shave quickly, it can cause excessive skin irritation.
- Apply a soothing aftershave.
This blog post is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or other professional advice. Your specific circumstances should be discussed with a healthcare provider. All statements of opinion represent the writers' judgement at the time of publication and are subject to change. Phoenix and its affiliates provide no express or implied endorsements of third parties or their advice, opinions, information, products, or services.
