Razor burn is one common woe adults face. It is a normal skin irritation triggered by an injury to skin tissues, usually by shaving.
Razor burn is a common scenario with almost every adult, be it a man or a woman and it is a hard-to-get-rid-of kind of thing. As mentioned, the burn is nothing but a skin irritation which commonly occurs as a result of incorrect or rough shaving. Shaving does get rid of hair, but it also peels off some parts of the top layer of the skin, known as the epidermis. Redness is a result of this type of injury to the skin.
The blood flow increases to the injured area to heal the wound, due to which the injured area looks red. Dry shaving, using a blunt blade, shaving too quickly or too close with too much pressure on the skin, cases razor burns which may itch or burn. It lasts no longer than a day or two. Symptoms include raised distinct bumps on the shaved area, red rashes, and chafed red skin, and the symptoms may get aggravated with repeated shaving of the injured area.
Prevention and Treatment
Once you are done with your shave, always remember to use a moisturizing lotion on the area, so that it does not dry out and give you any razor burns. Aloe vera products are considered the best for this purpose. Alternatively, you can also use a mixture of fresh strawberries and sour cream as a natural after shave lotion.
Applying 1% hydrocortisone cream to the shaved area, immediately after shaving will reduce the ugly rashes and take care of the burn and sting. Using the cream twice the first day should take care of the symptoms. However, this product is not meant for daily use, because, the skin may become more irritated and redder when it is not treated with the cream every time you shave.
One can treat a razor burn by applying a cold damp chamomile tea bag directly on the affected areas. Let the bag do its work for about 10 – 15 minutes. You can also apply a clean white cloth soaked in cool water or witch hazel.
Other useful treatment options for razor burns include application of almond oil, apple cider vinegar, a paste of aspirin tablets or cocoa butter to the affected areas. For the raised bumps on the skin, you can use topical acne preparations containing 2.5 or 5 percent benzoyl peroxide. These products reduce the severity of the burn symptoms and keep them from recurring.
Tips To Use While Shaving
- Get a warm shower before you start off with shaving. This allows your skin to soak and get hydrated, thereby making hair soft and stand straight. This makes shaving smooth.
- Do away with any blunt blade; it would only inflame the skin. Also, while shaving, ensure that the razor is washed every time you shave off an area. A hair-clogged razor is as good as a blunt one.
- Avoid running the razor in the direction against that of the hair growth. In short, shave downward. This method irritates the hair follicles lesser than when done otherwise.
- Use shaving creams or gels which contain aloe vera or other emollients. Soaps contain very less moisture, hence, dry the skin.
- Lastly, shave gently, applying only as much pressure as required.
To conclude, you may also use electric razors. These products inflict less injury to the skin and some even give smoother and closer shave. Above all, give yourself ample time while shaving. So, get up early and enjoy a clean shave, without any nasty rash on your skin.
