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7 Ways To Get Razor Burn…And How To Fix It

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Razor Burn.  The itching, the redness, the burn!  To conquer this shaving enemy you must know it.  Here are some 7 possible causes of razor burn and–more importantly–what to do about it

What Causes Razor Burn?

There are a number of possible causes of razor burn:

  1. Not enough preparation
  2. Inadequate lather
  3. Too many blades
  4. Dull blade(s)
  5. Blade(s) with too steep of an angle
  6. Not understanding the direction the stubble grows toward
  7. Skin reaction from shaving product (gel, cream, soap, foam)

How To Get Rid Of Razor Burn

Preparation

Preparation is an often overlooked aspect of shaving and a cause of razor burn. You need to be sure the skin in area to be shaved is properly cleaned and hydrated, and the stubble is softened. This means lots of warm water and a cleanser that is specifically made for the face (even if you’re not shaving the face): a “body bar” or deodorant soap will strip away too much of the natural skin oils needed for lubrication. Doctors say this process can take up to three minutes.

Lather

A lather with too much air inside is another cause of razor burn. Particularly if you’re using a product from a pressurized can: the propellant will create tiny pockets of air which can dry the skin. Use the water from preparation as a foundation for a good lather: something from a squeeze tube, or better yet, a lathering cream or soap applied with a shaving brush.

Blade

There are a number of ways to get razor burn from the blade edge(s):

Multi-Blade Cartridges

The blade itself can be a cause of irritation. If you’re using a multi-blade cartridge try to use as few blades as necessary to get the job done. More blades does not necessarily make a better shave.

Usage/Dullness

Don’t try to squeeze one more day out of a cartridge—change it when the shave starts to degrade.

Angle

The angle the blade is set to in a cartridge razor can definitely have an effect on razor burn. One four-bladed cartridge made a few years ago was notorious for causing razor burn because the blades were set at too steep of an angle for many people. So…try using a different cartridge system. Or avoid the “razor blade wars” altogether by going with a single blade “old school” safety razor. You will have to maintain the blade angle yourself instead of having the pivot and cartridge do it for you but the learning curve is not too difficult.  Luckily you’re in the right place to learn how.  🙂

Growth

Even if you have properly prepared the face and have a good razor, you need to understand how your stubble grows. If you lightly run your fingers across the stubble from different directions you will notice some directions feel rougher and some directions feel smoother. The smoothest direction is the “grain” of the stubble. The direction may change in different areas, too. To best avoid razor burn you should first shave in the same direction as the grain. If you want to get a closer shave relather and shave across the grain (90 degrees away). Shaving against the grain is a common cause of razor burn.

Reaction

Finally, your razor burn might not be caused by the razor at all but some ingredient in your shaving “software” (gel, cream, foam, etc.) reacting with your skin.  Try swapping out your shaving lather for something different (note the ingredients in each) and observe the result.

What are some other razor burn remedies?  Leave a comment below!

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Author

Shave tutor and co-founder of sharpologist. Also check out my content on Youtube, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest!View Author posts

11 thoughts on “7 Ways To Get Razor Burn…And How To Fix It”

  1. The time of day/night you choose to shave at can be the issue as it can introduce irritants to the skin. For example, if you shave before going to the gym or starting strenuous work, the perspiration you produce can really irritate your skin. Likewise shaving right before bed can cause irritation because when you rest your head on a pillow your chin can tuck into your chest causing chafing and perspiration in the folds in the skin of your neck. If you have to wear a shirt and tie, you may wish to consider shaving before breakfast and getting dressed afterwards and possibly waiting till you get to work to button up your collar and put on your tie to reduce the likelihood of chafing from your shirt collar

  2. Two more causes of razor burn: too much pressure and going over the same area too many times. With double-edge razors (not multi-blade), you don’t apply any pressure at all. Let the blade do the work. And don’t go over the same area with the same stroke. Use other directions with plenty of lubrication and you will get good results.

  3. May I suggest one more cause of razor burn.
    For some people face lathering might just be too much irritation for sensitive skin.
    Mickey

  4. Tend skin is the best product I have used to prevent razor burn.
    Dab on lightly with a cotton ball; let dry the out on aftershave.

  5. I have learned to place my double-edge razor at a 15 to 20 degree angle to the skin. When I shave, I use short, repeated strokes with little downward pressure on the razor. I guide the razor. I also use sharp unused blades.

  6. Cold water shaving also helps. Okay it is cold out. Cool water will do.
    The hair might be a bit tougher so you have to use a very sharp blade.
    Otherwise same steps.
    Don’t think it will work good with cartridge razors becuse cream/oil is thicker harder to rinse razors with multi blades.

    1. +1 on the cold water shave. I switched to using cold water a year and a half ago, and my face noticed an immediate improvement. Living in the Chicago area makes it harder to keep at it in the winter months. But I’ve found that the cold water in winter also goes a long way toward waking me up in the wee hours of the morning before work!

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