What Is Razor Burn?

Razor burn affects any person who shaves some parts of their body. If you have ever had some red rashes after shaving, you were likely experiencing razor burn.

Razor burn also causes:

• Tenderness
• A hot or burning sensation
• Itchiness
• Small red bumps

You can also experience any of these symptoms any part you shave, including your face, underarms, legs, or bikini area. Razor burn is often temporary and will disappear with time.

If your symptoms cause discomfort, there are ways you can get relief. Continue reading to learn how to face razor burn and prevent it from occurring in the future.

Who Are Most Vulnerable Folks To Razor Burn

Shaving is an easy way to remove unwanted hair. It is also famous for leaving behind red patches of swollen skin and bumps, often called razor burn. Razor burn may also appear on any part you shave, from your underarms to your legs.

Most people who shave their hair have experienced the problem at least once. Some folks get it almost often. If you are tortured by razor burn, there are ways you can take to give your skin some soothing treat and to reduce your chances of getting it again.

Most razor burn remedies are backed by anecdotal facts. There is no scientific research on remedies for razor burn. However, some researchers have performed some research studies on herbal therapies for burns at large. Below are some tips to relieve razor burn.

How To Treat Razor Burn

Always avoid shaving the affected area to allow healing.

• To Soothe Itching or Heat

Apply a cool washcloth to the affected part to calm your skin. Avocado oil and aloe are both cool and can be safely applied topically to the skin.

• To Relieve Irritation or Dryness

When symptoms appear, rinse your skin and dry it up. Ensure not to rub the affected region, as this may increase the skin irritation.

When the skin is dried, apply an emollient. This may either be a lotion, an aftershave, or any other moisturizer. Avoid products containing alcohol because they can worsen irritation. If you would prefer to go natural, coconut oil may aid your skin hydration.

• To Reduce Inflammation

To treat inflammation, you should pick your options between home remedies and over-the-counter (OTC) options.

Common home remedies are:

• equal parts tea tree oil and water
• apple cider vinegar
• Shop for witch hazel extract.
• oatmeal bath for about 20 minutes

If you prefer the OTC option, get a topical cream that contains hydrocortisone. This would help lower any swelling and calm any skin redness.

• To Cure Small Bumps

If you have razor bumps, do not shave the affected area until all sores and bumps are healed. This may take about four weeks. Occasionally, you should use topical creams like cortisone to correct any related inflammation.

If the swollen regions develop signs of infection (having pus), see your doctor. Symptoms of the infection are pustules and welts.

If the part is infected, your health specialist will prescribe the use of an oral antibiotic. Your doctor may also prescribe products to prevent future razor bumps or burns. You may be prescribed some products with retinoids for skin exfoliation and lower the buildup of necrotic cells on the skin.

Remedies For Razor Burn

Let us now go through the following remedies to cure this razor burn.

1) Hot Bath With Epsom Salt

A salt-based exfoliator is optimum to ward off ingrown hairs before they begin for those with acne-prone or oilier skin. For ingrown hair on your body, such as the legs or bikini area, soak in the container with 2 cups of Epsom salt. Take a warm bath to open up the pores and reduce swelling and other skin irritations.

2) Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is recognized for soothing and healing burns. According to a 2007 systematic evaluation, data supports the potential of aloe vera for the treatment of first and second-degree burns. To heal razor burn, apply a thin layer of pure aloe vera gel onto the injured area. Aloe vera gel can easily be gotten in most pharmacies. You can also pick it from an aloe plant.

3) Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is mostly used in cooking, but it is also wonderful on your skin, according to some studies. Coconut oil could be an effective and safe therapy for healing burns. Researchers believe that coconut oil has high anti-inflammatory and antiseptic features. To cure razor burn, topically apply a thin layer of organic coconut oil to the swollen area.

4) Tweeze

If the ingrown hair is evident, it may be beneficial to use sterilized, pointed tweezers to pull it off.

Removing the trapped hair could effectively get rid of the razor bump rapidly. The tweezers should always be sterilized with alcohol and clean the skin with water and soap before tweezing.

For instance, if your hair is not visible on the surface of the skin, using tweezers could even worsen the problem. The tweezers could damage the skin and cause more infection and irritation.

You should not make any attempt to pick or squeeze the bumps, as this could worsen the case or cause scarring.

5) Sweet Almond Oil

Sweet almond oil is manufactured from dried kernels of almond. It is super emollient and a wonderful moisturizer. Try applying some sweet almond oil upon your skin after every shaving. You may also require your applying it directly to swollen skin as necessary. If you have an allergy to almonds, do not use this sweet almond oil.

6) Tea Tree Oil

As per a 2006 study, tea tree oil is a great antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory. It is used as a natural remedy to treat minor injuries and soothe burns. Tea tree oil should not be administered undiluted. Mix it with another carrier oil like coconut oil or sweet almond oil. Use 2 drops of tea tree oil per teaspoon of the carrier oil used.

Even diluted tea tree oil may spur allergic reactions or further irritation on the skin in some folk. It is a good thing to do a patch test just to see how your skin would respond.

7) Witch Hazel

Witch hazel is another natural anti-inflammatory and astringent, all thanks to its high tannin content. It is used as a natural therapy to relieve pain, soothe burns, and treat minute skin irritation. Apply to your razor burn with a swab pad as required.

8) Hydrocortisone Cream

Hydrocortisone cream is a steroid that is used to lower inflammation and irritation. Low-strength formulas are always available without any prescription. Use hydrocortisone cream as prescribed by the manufacturer or your health specialist, usually twice daily. If you feel any side effects or worsening the inflammation, do not continue the use.

9) Calendula Cream

Calendula cream is another herbal remedy prepared from calendula flowers. It is used to heal rashes, lower inflammation, and aid wound-healing. To help treat your razor burn, apply a thin coating of calendula cream on the affected area twice daily.

10) Astringent Liquids

One of the prominent home remedies for razor burn is the topical application of a natural liquid (astringent). These help to lower the swollenness and redness related to both razor burn and bumps.

Examples of well known natural astringents are:

• Apple cider vinegar
• Tea tree oil
• Chilled, brewed black tea
• Witch hazel extract

These can be applied topically to the face or together with a cold compress.

11) Colloidal Oatmeal Bath

Colloidal oatmeal is prepared by grinding oats into a very fine powder. Some researches show that oats contain phenols that are endowed with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Colloidal oatmeal helps cure, cleanse, and hydrate the skin. For razor burn aid, soak in an oatmeal bath once every day for 15 minutes.

12) Baking Soda Paste

Baking soda has a great cooling effect on our skin. It is thought to expel heat and pain, although there is no scientific backing to support it. To prepare a baking soda paste fixative, add baking soda to filtered water till a thick paste is formed. Administer the paste on your skin, leave it to dry up, and rinse it well.

13) Oatmeal Bath

Oatmeal is used to cure a variety of skin problems, majorly inflammatory conditions. As per some researches, it possesses anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which may probably explain its effectiveness as a sound natural therapy for razor burn.

“Never leave your skin to suffer from what you can effectively control.”

Stay healthy…