5 Tips on How to Prevent Razor Burn

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April 20, 2020

Something looks and sounds worse than turning your face to fiery red after shaving. You went happily and enthusiastically for a baby-smooth finish, only to be punished for it. Not only that, but by the time the razor burns heals, fresh stubble would already sprout — so what was the point, really?

We don’t knock the rashing act. Really we’re all for it …. when it’s handled properly and safely. Razor burning is completely avoidable. More often than not it’s the product of a hasty or sloppy shaving regimen. That can be avoided even by guys with sensitive skin.

There are specific measures that you need to take to protect and nurture your skin, particularly when you are susceptible to irritation, incubated hair and razor burning. Below are those steps in their exact order — that is, how to avoid razor burns.

1. Prepare your skin properly

First things first: For that sharp razor, you have to warm up your skin literally. Take a hot shower, or thoroughly wash your face with warm water. If you miss this initial stage, your skin will become less durable, and your stubble will become more stubborn. By having soft skin and hair, you lower the risk that the blade will drag and pull the skin, and you can increase the capacity of the razor to cut the hair cleanly and quickly. You should add a pre-shave oil or cream after the warm water cleanse. It forms a thin, nourishing base layer over the skin, protecting it from the blade without losing the shave’s very closeness. This also softens the scalp, so you can mow without any resistance.

2. Switch the razor hygiene up (and maybe turn down the blade count)

Hygiene with razors is important to avoid burning. If you are not regularly changing your razor, then it might be time to sign up for a razor replenishment plan. You’ll need a sharp, clean blade to be shaving. Yet after every use you do not need to chuck the cartridge. One razor head will give you several uses.

The thumb rule for replacing razors: Never using a razor more than 8 times. And never using them for more than 3 weeks. Remove the blade at each of those intervals — whatever comes first. It is either too boring at that stage or it has accumulated too many bacteria and dust, even though you have stored it properly. (That’s, kept upright after shaving in a cool, dry room. And with plastic cover over the top between shaves, after it’s dried.) You can also use a razor with less blades if you have sensitive skin, to reduce the amount of sharp objects running across your skin. Therefore many guys turn to a safety razor.

3. Consider using a badger brush

If you are shaving hairs that are over a couple of days old, you might be able to move them away from the skin by adding a badger brush to your shave cream. You simply soak the brush in warm water, poke a hole with your finger in the middle, then fill it with cream, before applying it against the grain on your face in circular motions. It produces a creamy lather while also pulling up the hairs and preparing them for a smooth, gentle rasp.

4. Loosen your grip, and shave against the grain

If until this point you’ve done something right — the moment you start shaving — then you’re expected to trust the cycle. There’s no need to place lots of pressure on the blade, because you’ll only shave off extra cells or cut some hairs just below the skin’s surface. Lighten your grip and let the razor float over your layer of pre-shave and the cream of shave. You shouldn’t need more than one pass, either.Once, if you did all right, then it would all go smoothly.

And remember: Shave your hair growth against grain. That is the most suitable way to achieve the closest shave. Plus, you shouldn’t have to think about incubated hair if you’ve done anything right (not to sound like a broken record). Nonetheless, if you are prone to revenue, you might be considering mixing it up and shaving with the grain. You’re not going to get as close to a shave but you’re going to eliminate the danger of stuck hair for that very reason.

Oh, and rinse the blade between each stroke, with warm water. There’s no need to pull your skin and hair down into the rest of your skin.

5. Calm and soothe your skin once you’re done

Just as you opened the pores before your shave and relaxed the hairs, after the reality, you will close it back up. After you shave, quickly rub some cold water on the face to remove debris and, more importantly, close the pores. For benefit from a cooling shower, I prefer to do this with a cleaner too. And you could sprinkle cold water on your face, then add a post-shave toner to disinfect and clean the pores, particularly if you are hyper-prone to redness.

Apply then a post-shave balm that nourishes the skin with vitamins as it recovers from the whole process. Balm is thick and therefore protects the skin like a shield, preventing everything within the pores from clogging in.