How to Prevent Razorn Burns
April 9, 2009 | In: Beauty and Grooming
Prevent Razor Burn
Shaving is important to both men and women. However, it cannot be avoided sometimes that those fond of shaving experience razor burn. It’s that stinging feeling you get after shaving a particular area. It is usually a result of hair being pushed back into the follicle which could develop into an ingrown hair and get inflamed.
In order to prevent this razor burn and other related skin problems going forward, we share some tips with you. First up, those who frequently shave should make sure to buy disposable razors or razor blades in bulk. This is to ensure that you won’t run out of supply at least for months.
Use a clean, sharp razor each time you shave. A disposable razor is good for two to three uses only. If you’re using electric shavers with razor blades, do make it a point to change it as often as possible. Don’t wait for the blade to get dull before changing it.
The best time to shave is after taking a shower. This is regardless of what part of the body you’re shaving – legs, face or armpits. For the face, you can also shave it after washing it with warm water which helps in softening the skin and facial hair. It would also be best to shave after you exercise to prevent sweat from irritating your skin.
Before shaving, wet your hair and skin for at least three minutes and then apply shaving cream or gel on the area. The role of the water is to make the hair stand up for easier shaving. Leave the cream or gel for a few minutes to make the facial hair soft and lessen the likelihood of skin irritation. Using a shaving cream is better than ordinary soap which can only dry your skin. Others are comfortable using shaving oil instead of the creams.
The right way to shave is to follow the direction where the hair grows. Shave in short, gentle strokes instead of doing long strokes. Avoid shaving against the grain of hair as it can cause ingrown hairs and inflammation.
Keep in mind not to shave in the same area several times as this will likely lead to a razor burn. In case you get a razor burn, just apply a cortisone cream with aloe vera at least twice a day to reduce redness of the skin.
Wash the blade after each stroke especially if you’re shaving the face. This is to get rid of the hair and shaving cream. Use hot water in rinsing. For better results, you can moisten the area you just shaved by applying a thin lather of cream. You may get a new cream or just get a small one from the other part of your face.
When done, wash and clean your face using cold water. The cold water will help close the open pores and thereby reduce irritation.
Afterwards, you can apply a moisturizer meant for the face or perhaps an aftershave lotion. Be sure, though, that the moisturizer you use matches the type of your skin to prevent further irritation.