What is razor burn?
Razor burn or shaving rash is skin irritation that can be caused by dry shaving, aggressive shaving or a non-sharp razor blade. Typically, it starts to appear a few minutes after shaving, and often takes the form of a rash.
How to stop razor burn?
- Swap your blade – If you start to feel discomfort when shaving be sure to switch to a sharper blade. A dull blade can pull and tug at the skin causing a rash. Don’t get burned by a bad blade.
- Don’t use to many restrokes – Once you have scraped off your shave cream be aware of restrokes, after the cream has gone lubrication decreases which can lead to shaving irritation. On average a male will use 170 stokes when shaving and of these 120 will be restrokes, so be mindful of your restrokes.
- Don’t put too much pressure on your skin – The skin on your face is sensitive so when shaving don’t put too much pressure on your skin. Shave with the grain and a light amount of pressure to help avoid razor burn, irritation and cuts.
- Exfoliate - Exfoliating can help buff away oil, dirt and old skin cells, exfoliated skin allows the razor to get as close as possible to the base of the hairs. It also minimises ingrown hairs by gently breaking the first layer of skin and allowing the hair to grow correctly.
How to get rid of razor burn?
- Apply a cool, damp cloth – If you notice a shaving rash appear soon after shaving apply a cool damp cloth to your face to help soothe the skin. This may help to reduce any redness and discomfort caused by razor rash.
- Hydrate – Be sure to use a post have balm or cream to help prevent razor burn. Our Dear Barber Post Shave Balm contains luxurious soothing, moisturising and hydrating properties that reduce skin irritation and tames razor burn. It is specially formulated with a combination of Aloe, Allantoin and Witch Hazel extracts to alleviate skin dryness and tone your skin.
- Time – Razor burn will go away with time, naturally. Until it does, it’s best to avoid shaving the affected area. Give your razor burn time to heal before your next shave and try not to shave if you notice any redness or inflammation.