Razor burns are annoying, but unwanted hair strands are unbearable. Shaving is one of the easiest and most economical ways of taking out unwanted hair. The consequences, however, can leave you feeling hopeless.
Frequent shaving can give you razor burns and bumps. These are two unpleasant effects of this hair removal method. Luckily, there are ways to address and prevent these skin issues, while leaving your desired body areas hair-free. Read on to know more about these life-saving options to keep your shaved skin in smooth and healthy.
Getting Rid of Razor Burn
Dab Baking Soda
Baking soda has been a popular antibacterial solution for ages. It is a great home remedy for razor burns and bumps. Simply dab a bit of baking soda onto the skin using a water-soaked cotton ball (make sure the water is purified). A tablespoon of baking soda will suffice.
Let the mixture remain on your skin until it dries up. Rinse with cool and clean water. This remedy will help the redness and stinging disappear. You may do this two or three times a day until the burn or bump subsides.
Never Ever Shave on Dry Skin
Shaving is best done on wet skin, but never on dry skin or you will get a razor burn. Make sure to get your skin wet first before shaving. This will soften the hair strands, and prepare it to be shaven. Shaving is best done during or after a bath or shower. Rinse the razor after every use.
Allow Rest Days to Let Skin Heal
Frequent shaving, as mentioned earlier, will give your razor burns and bumps. Allow at least two to three days of rest from shaving to give your skin a chance to heal and breathe. You can wax the unwanted hair or use a depilatory cream to prevent the bumps and burns.
Apply Hot Compress to Shrink Bumps
Razor bumps will shrink when you apply heat for a few minutes. Apply hot compress on the affected areas for about 10 minutes. This will not only shrink the bumps, but will also kill any germs that would aggravate the situation.
Perform Necessary Skin Preparations
Always do the necessary skin preps before shaving the unwanted hair. This will allow the skin to prepare for the procedure and avoid any possible irritations. Use a good moisturizing cream, oil, or lotion for best results. You can also consider using homemade shaving cream, olive oil, or coconut oil.
Watch Out for the Acne
People with acne should take extra caution when shaving unwanted hair. Shaving with acne can irritate the skin and worsen the appearance of pimples. If you really need to be hair-free, never attempt to shave off the acne. The best way to shave with pimples is to do it carefully around the bumps to avoid irritation.
If you have a beard, it would help to soften the hair with soap and water before applying any shaving lotion, cream, or oil. Make sure to shave gently and whenever necessary. It would also help to use an acne scar removal mask to promote healing and allow you to shave sooner.
Change Blades Regularly
You can ensure the best and safe shave by changing your blades or disposable razors after five to seven uses. If you can change or dispose more frequently than that, the better. This will help reduce your chances of having irritated skin, and/or bacterial infections.
Shave in the Proper Direction
It is crucial to know how to shave in the right direction. Shaving against the hair’s growth direction can give you a closer shave. However, doing it this way can also give you a lot of nicks, so take extra caution. Underarm shaving can be done from all angles: up, down, or sideways.
Using razor on the bikini area will require you to shave in the hair growth’s direction first, and then moving gently against for that close shave. Watch out for ingrown hairs and razor bumps whenever you shave against the direction of hair growth. People with beards should only shave in the hair growth’s direction, while those who want to have hair-free legs can go against.
Consider Applying Hydrocortisone Cream
Hydrocortisone cream will help get rid of the inflammation, redness, and itching on the razor bumps. Applying this cream on the affected areas will allow the irritation to disappear in just three days or less. Avoid using this product on your skin after three days as it may develop rashes.
Use Sharp Blades to Prevent Nicks
Sharp blades will help prevent the annoying nicks. It may be helpful to experiment with disposable or electric razors to see which works best for you. Your razor should always have a sharp blade. Dull blades will only cause nicks, cuts, razh, burn, and/or bumps. Minor cuts are normal, as long as your razor is kept clean. Make sure to shave gently on delicate areas, like those where clotting is slow, to prevent nicks.
Wear Breathable Clothing
It is important to focus on wearing breathable clothing to prevent skin irritation. Wearing clothes made of synthetic materials will block your pores, and trap the sweat and bacteria. This will make the bumps and burn worsen. Loose clothing made of 100 percent cotton are advisable.
Apply Aloe Vera on Affected Areas
Aloe vera, like baking soda, is one of the most popular traditional remedies for irritated skin. Thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties. All you have to do is to cut the tip of the aloe vera leaf and squeeze out the gel onto the burnt area. You may also purchase pure aloe vera gel at your local store, but make sure it does not have any artificial scent or color.
Bottom Line
These are just some of the best ways to prevent and address skin irritations caused by shaving. If you are frequently annoyed by unwanted hair, you may want to consider undergoing laser hair removal. There are also other skin-friendly options to keep certain body areas hair-free. Lastly, avoid touching the affected area to prevent the burn or bumps from worsening.
Also read: Best Curling Iron for Beachy Waves