There’s nothing more refreshing than having a good clean shave to start your day. A well-shaved face leaves a good impression at work and with the ladies. Unfortunately, there are many men walking around right now with the annoying side effect; razor burn – the common skin irritation that occurs after improper shaving. Every man has experienced it at one time or another. Razor burn not only ruins a good shave, it just looks ugly. But, there are ways to prevent this unsightly and uncomfortable condition which we’ll discuss in this article.
What is Razor Burn?
Razor burn is an irritating skin condition that sometimes appears after shaving. In its mildest form, razor burn will be slightly itchy and create a noticeable reddish rash on your face and neck. In severe cases, razor burn can cause razor bumps that are caused by ingrown hairs. They look like spots and they can be extremely itchy.
How to Prevent Razor Burn
Prep your beard – When your beard is soft, it can be removed far more easily. The best time to shave is after you take a hot shower. Warm water and steam help soften skin and whiskers while opening up your pores, leaving it in great condition for shaving.
Exfoliate – Exfoliating using a facial scrub or loofah helps remove dead skin cells, bring out ingrown hairs and reduce potential razor burn rashes. There are plenty of facial scrubs on the market to choose from. I use L’Oreal Men Pure & Matte Expert Deep Exfoliating Gel Wash. It’s cheap and makes your skin feel fresh.
Use a badger brush and shaving cream – When you lather up your beard, use a badger hair brush and a quality shaving cream. Using a brush helps get the shaving cream under your whiskers which results in better, smoother shaves. Using shaving oil sometimes produces better results for those with sensitive skin.
Use a safety razor – If you’re currently using three blades or more and it’s giving you a good clean shave, keep using them. But, if you feel like every shave leaves you with red skin rashes and irritation, then consider shaving with a safety razor. Multiple blades that men use today can irritate the skin more than needed. Shaving with a safety razor will eliminate skin irritation, giving your face a clean healthy look because a safety razor consists of only one blade instead of several that can cut up your face while shaving.
Shave with the grain of the hair – Some men shave against the grain to achieve a smooth finish. However if you shave against the grain you risk slicing up your face and causing razor burn. Also, shaving too close can cause ingrown hairs and razor bumps. Instead shave with the grain. You may not be able to remove your beard in one pass, but it’ll reduce the chances of irritation and razor burn. Making several passes with the grain is better than making one pass against the grain anyway.
Use short, light strokes – Long strokes often cause you to apply too much pressure on the skin. The weight of a safety razor is sufficient to cut your beard. To avoid the temptation of applying too much pressure, use short strokes.
Use sharp blades – Shave with a blunt blade and you’ll tear up your face. Instead of a clean cut, dull blades creates a lot of drag and friction which tears at your whiskers. This increases the chances of ingrown hairs and razor burn. One of the main benefits of using a safety razor is that you can replace the blades cheaply.
Rinse the blade after each stroke – If the blade is full of whiskers, you won’t get a clean shave. Rinse the blade with hot water after each stroke. This will remove shaving cream and whiskers that have built up after each pass.
Rinse your face with cold water after shaving – The cold water helps close pores and reduces the chances of whiskers forming ingrown hairs.
Apply a quality moisturizer or balm – Applying moisturizer or balm helps keep your skin soft and reduces any minor razor burn. Aftershaves are a popular choice, but for some men, they can actually cause the irritation. If this is you, apply a post shave balm which has a soothing effect that’ll reduce redness.
Apply a razor bump cream – If you’re vulnerable to ingrown hairs, there are a few products that you can apply to prevent razor bumps. Bump stopper and Tend Skin are two products that you can find at your local drugstore or online. Both prevent ingrown hairs from occurring.
Dry off your blade – After you’ve finished shaving, dry off your blade with a towel. This will help stop your blade from dulling quickly and keep it nice and sharp. Also be sure to buy a badger hair brush that comes with a stand. This will allow it to air and dry out. If left damp, bacteria can grow that’ll be transferred to your face the next time you shave.
Dip the blade in rubbing alcohol – One of the main causes of razor burn is bacteria on your blade. You can kill the bacteria with some rubbing alcohol after you’ve shaved.
