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High on the list of essential skin-care hacks you should know, and just above how to deal with a rogue ingrown hair, is the proper razor burn treatment. Razor burn happens to the best of us and soothing it quickly is key to avoiding inflammation and preventing painful razor bumps.
We’ve all been there. One minute you’re relishing in the feel of your freshly shaved skin, the next thing you know you’re covered in painful red splotches. What gives? As it turns out, lots of things can cause razor burn and it can last anywhere from a few hours to a few days. If you’re particularly prone to it, you’ve probably tried lots of things to prevent razor burn or make it go away faster. Aftershaves, exfoliates, pleading with the universe… nothing seems to keep it at bay. But, according to our skin experts, it’s probably because we aren’t shaving correctly or treating our skin to the aftercare it deserves. To find out more (and put razor burn to rest) we tapped three board-certified dermatologists to get their tips on preventing razor burn and soothing it fast.
- Rachel Westbay, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at Marmur Medical in New York City.
- Jennifer MacGregor, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at UnionDern in New York City.
- Charlotte Birnbaum, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at Spring Street Dermatology in New York City.
What is razor burn?
Razor burn isn’t a burn in the literal sense of the word, it’s an umbrella term for any type of irritation that ensues after using a razor, whether it's actual cuts and scrapes or little hive-like bumps. Though specific symptoms vary, the most classic type of razor burn is red, irritated skin that itches and — you guessed it — burns.
"This [term] can encompass redness, irritation, bumps, skin scrapes, or folliculitis [inflamed hair follicles]," explains board-certified dermatologist Jennifer MacGregor, MD, of UnionDerm. “It describes any rash, irritation, or even infection that occurs after shaving."
“It’s typically induced by dry shaving, shaving too aggressively, or shaving with dull blades,” New York City-based, board-certified dermatologist Rachel Westbay, MD, adds. She goes on to say that pulling a razor across your skin can disrupt the outer protective skin barrier, leading to microscopic cuts and tears.
What does razor burn look like?
True to its name, razor burn looks and feels a lot like a burn. “It shows up as a rash, which develops shortly after shaving and is characterized by redness, burning, and stinging,” says Dr. Westbay. Depending on the severity of the “burn” and how quickly you treat it, razor burn can last anywhere from a few hours to a few days.
While razor burn and razor bumps are typically lumped together, they’re not exactly the same. Razor burn is more of a red and blotchy or streaky skin rash. Razor bumps look like small red pimples and are usually the result of ingrown hairs (though those pesky bumps are also often a byproduct of shaving improperly).
How can I prevent and soothe razor burn?
The only way to completely avoid razor burn is to stop shaving. (If that’s your solution, but you still want to get rid of body hair, you might consider using wax strips or investing in laser hair removal. Just keep in mind that every hair removal method comes with its own list of side effects.) No matter how careful you are, dragging a razor across your skin has the potential to damage your protective barrier and inflict microscopic trauma.
Although we can’t guarantee you’ll never get burned again after reading this, there are plenty of dermatologist-backed tips to incorporate into your shaving routine that can help make razor burn less likely.
Some important things not to do: shave on dry skin, use a dull razor, or shave against the grain. Instead, follow this dermatologist-approved method: First, apply a shaving cream or gel onto wet skin. (If you’re out of both, a moisturizing body wash will work in a pinch.) “Quality shaving creams and gels are packed with skin-protecting lubricants that help the razor glide easily and avoid micro-injuries to the outer layer of the skin,” says Dr. Westbay. These creams and gels have important hydrating ingredients that swell and soften the hair, “allowing the razor to cut through with more ease, resulting in less tug and pull.” Allure editors love the moisturizing ingredients in Billie Whipped Shave Cream and Flamingo Foaming Shaving Gel, and the lotion-like quality of Dove’s Sensitive Skin Body Wash.
Then, use a clean, sharp blade to shave in gentle strokes that follow the direction of hair growth — the opposite of what we’re used to seeing in most commercials that feature shots of someone shaving their shins. “It really is true that shaving with the grain, rather than against it, is imperative,” says Dr. Westbay. Keep a light pressure on the razor, letting it do the work for you, “rather than the pressure of your hand,” and avoid shaving in the same spot multiple times. “Repeat strokes decrease lubrication,” she says, “which can lead to irritation.”
It’s also important to use the appropriate razors for the job. If you’re removing the peach fuzz from your face, you should use a dedicated face shaver: These razors are one-bladed and designed to avoid causing irritation to the delicate skin on your face. For the rest of your bod, you have a few options. Cartridge razors with multiple blades are fast and efficient, but can get clogged easily. Safety razors are less likely to cause razor burn, but they come with a learning curve. Electric razors might help you avoid razor burn altogether, but you won’t get as close of a shave. It’s worth experimenting a bit to find the right razor for your hair and skin.
Immediately after toweling off, apply a hefty amount of body cream onto the area that you just shaved. “Moisturizing the affected area is key,” says Dr. Westbay, “and creams are a preferred consistency over lotions.” Lotions tend to contain more water, making them overall less lubricating, “and many contain alcohols, which evaporate and can dry out or irritate skin further.” She recommends sticking with fragrance-free creams with limited ingredients to avoid irritating an already irritant rash. “Good choices to consider are Cetaphil, CeraVe, and Vanicream,” she says.
Heidi Waldorf, MD, a cosmetic dermatologist in New York, recommends using an unscented moisturizer that contains humectant, occlusive, and emollient ingredients. In non-dermatologist speak, that means using a moisturizer that will absorb into the skin, rather than sit on top (like body oils or oil-based moisturizers do — these types of products are better suited to lock in moisture after using your favorite moisturizer).
Humectants such as glycerin and hyaluronic acid "are used in moisturizers to attract and bind water from the deeper layers of skin and the environment," Dr. Birnbaum explains. Occlusive ingredients (such as squalene and ceramides) help prevent water loss on the skin barrier, and emollient ingredients (such as cocoa butter) work to help fill in the gaps between skin cells. "An ideal moisturizer includes a combination of these ingredients." Dr. Birnbaum says.
Some dermatologist-favorite moisturizers that are formulated with this humectant, occlusive, and emollient trifecta include Eau Thermale Avène Trixera Nutrition Nutri-fluid Balm, Eucerin Advanced Repair Cream, and Aveeno Skin Relief Moisture Repair.
Two over-the-counter, skin-soothing topical ingredients that dermatologists recommend most for razor burn are aloe vera and colloidal oatmeal. The former, while more often touted for its after-sun skin-care benefits, also does a great job soothing the sting of a razor. "Aloe vera can calm the inflammation associated with razor burn and improve redness and irritation," Dr. Birnbaum explains.
For serious cases of either type of burn, try aloe in 100% cold-pressed gel form. The ingredient also appears in nourishing body lotions like Mario Badescu's Aloe Lotion, Avalon Organics' Aloe Unscented Hand and Body Lotion, or Vaseline's Aloe Soothe Body Lotion.
"Colloidal oatmeal is anti-inflammatory and soothing," Dr. Waldorf says, which is why it's also often found in products labeled for eczema. Even if you don't have eczema, using a moisturizer formulated with colloidal oatmeal can help calm the redness and irritation associated with razor burn. We love body moisturizers like La Roche-Posay Lipikar Soothing Relief Cream, Aveeno Eczema Therapy Moisturizing Cream, and The Honest Company's Eczema Soothing Therapy Balm — all of which contain the ingredient.
"Hydrocortisone cream cuts down the inflammation [associated with razor burn] and can even reduce its development if you apply it immediately after shaving," Dr. Waldorf says. Doing so is a prudent preventative measure if you have sensitive or dry skin, are extra prone to razor burn, or you feel as though you've simply shaved with too rough a hand.
Dr. Westbay says this cream can be applied directly to affected areas twice daily, “but I recommend limiting application to the face to more than three days in a row — and no more than one week for affected areas on the body.”
You should be able to find hydrocortisone cream at your local pharmacy or drugstore — it's often marketed as an anti-itch cream. Try Aveeno 1% Hydrocortisone Anti-Itch Cream, Cortizone 10 Maximum Strength Hydrocortisone Anti-Itch Cream, or any drugstore-made brand (CVS, Walgreens, and many other stores sell their own versions).
Contrary to popular belief, warming up your skin — as you would by soaking in a hot bath — pre-shave doesn't do you any good. "Long, hot showers actually swell the follicle and make it harder to get a close shave without irritating the skin," MacGregor explains. (Remember, nicking those follicles is the biggest culprit for causing razor burn). This is why many shaving creams are formulated with cooling ingredients such as the aforementioned aloe.
After shaving, if you feel your skin starting to become irritated, hit it with an old-fashioned cold compress (or a cool, wet washcloth). Run any of these cooling options along the areas of irritation to help instantly tame inflammation.
Back to the bumpy follicles — one of the best ways to keep them at bay, and thus ensure that your next shave is smooth sailing, is by exfoliating. Exfoliating regularly and before you shave helps to remove dead skin and bacteria, which means your razor has less debris to get caught on or clogged in its blade, reducing your risk of razor burn or infection. That being said, we wouldn’t recommend using any kind of abrasive on razor-burned skin. Exfoliating skin that is already irritated by razor burn, even using a gentle exfoliator, can make the rash worse.
"Between shaves, exfoliate regularly with a glycolic or salicylic wash that is gentle and moisturizing," Dr. MacGregor recommends. Some of our favorites include CeraVe's SA Body Wash for Rough & Bumpy Skin, Neutrogena's Body Clear Body Wash, and Pixi's Glycolic Body Wash.
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