After shaving, it’s common to develop irritation of the skin and bumps over the skin. How can you prevent razor burn? Here are some common and uncommon tricks to prevent razor burn.
- Make sure your razor is clean. Overuse of the razor can make it more likely to nick your skin and introduce bacteria.
- Shave in the direction of the grain of the hairs. This means that shave in the direction that your hairs are growing out. Shaving against the grain causes more irritation.
- Use a shaving cream or shaving gel.
- If you are going to reuse the razor, 1) rinse it well after use, 2) dip it in some rubbing alcohol to decrease the microbes on it, and 3) store it in a clean place with the blade facing up. Always be careful to “guard” the razor blade so that you don’t cut yourself.
- After shaving, use a benzoyl peroxide wash (e.g. Clean & Clear acne wash, Pan-Oxyl wash or bar, etc). This can decrease the likelihood of the bumps (folliculitis) after shaving.
- If you have clindamycin gel (a prescription medication which is used for acne), you could rub it onto the skin if little bumps do develop.
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