BEAUTY
How To Treat And Prevent Ingrown Hairs And Razor Burn
By OANA MURESAN
What Is Razor Burn?
If you've never had the pleasure of experiencing one, a razor burn is when your skin becomes irritated after shaving and can manifest as itching, redness, or even flaking skin.
It can happen right after you’ve shaved or hours later, and can last up to two to three days. Using a dull razor and shaving too quickly can increase the chance of razor burn.
Treating Razor Burn Naturally
The best treatment for razor burn is to let it go away on its own, but there are ways to ease your pain. Keep the skin moisturized with products like aloe vera and coconut oil.
Treating Razor Burn With Products
An over-the-counter treatment can also help with your razor burn. Use creams that contain hydrocortisone to ease redness, inflammation, and itchiness.
After-shave lotion can also be an easy remedy for razor burn, especially those that contain glycolic acid. Witch hazel and salicylic acid may also be good solutions.
How To Prevent Razor Burn
The first step in preventing razor burn is to shave slowly so you don’t nick yourself. Check your razor to make sure the blades aren’t old, as dull blades can cause chafing.
Shower or apply a shaving cream to the area you’re shaving. Shave in the direction of your hair, don’t go over the same area twice, and keep the pressure of your blade even.
What Are Ingrown Hairs?
Ingrown hairs, or razor bumps, occur because dead skin cells block the follicle and new hair can’t get through the skin. They’re usually not irritating, and resolve themselves.
However, they might become a nuisance or even painful if you have many after shaving. They can be itchy or sore and can even become inflamed or infected if the hair can't escape.