There’s nothing like that silky smooth feeling after shaving. That is, unless, things go south and you end up with those annoying red bumps…
A recent study by Gillette found that 60 percent of women complained of dryness and irritation after shaving. Not only is razor burn frustrating but it also makes you wonder why you even bothered in the first place.
Whether it turns up on your legs, your armpits, or your bikini line, then you know the feeling. Bumpy, stinging and definitely not comfortable.
So what exactly causes razor burn?
The source of those painful red bumps is due to tugging of the hairs while shaving, or irritation and over-exfoliation of the skin by the razor. It can happen to all skin types and can even lead to infection. Eek!
If laser hair removal isn’t for you and you want to keep shaving, there are a few things to consider. We take a look at the shaving mistakes that can lead to pesky razor burn and ingrown hairs, as well as who to prevent them.
1. You’re not properly hydrated.
Drink up! Dehydration can affect your skin’s elasticity, leading to more bumps as you shave. So, up your skin health and make sure you down lots of water. Your skin will thank you for it!
2. Buff it up.
To prevent bumps and ingrown hairs, exfoliate your skin before shaving. It’s best to use a dry skin brush made with jute or sisal fibres, which is the best bump inhibitor. before shaving, sweep it very lightly over dry skin, and then wash the area.
3. Don’t share razors.
If you’re sharing razors with your roomies or your boyfriend, stop it right now. It’s not good. Sharing your razor is not only unhygienic but also dulls the blade faster and can lead to infections and more bumps.
4. You’re not using shaving cream.
It’s tempting to lift that bar of soap (we’re all guilty of this, I’m sure), but it definitely pays to get a good moisturising shaving cream. Unlike soap, which dries out your skin, natural shaving creams are less abrasive and less irritating. If you don’t have any shaving cream, head for the hair conditioner instead of the soap.
5. Be a night shaver.
If you’re a morning shower person, then you probably do your shaving then too. If you also notice a problem with razor burn, it may be a good idea to start shaving at night. All the good skin stuff happens at night – our bodies regroup and heal during sleep. Waking up with bump-free skin is heaven.
6. Keeping your razor in the shower.
It’s super convenient, but super risky. A razor in the shower sits in a damp environment which allows it to breed bacteria, making infection more likely. Instead, opt for the medicine cabinet to keep it dry.
7. Not using moisturiser.
After-shave is a thing. It is so important to moisturise your skin post-shave! Get into aloe, chamomile or rosehip oil, or if you end up going a bit pink, try hydrocortisone lotion. It works wonders.
8. You’re shaving too often.
If you’re shaving every single day, chances are your skin is looking a little worse for wear. Give your skin a chance to rest and change it up to every second day.
9. Stop rushing!
Whatever you do, don’t jump into the shower and start shaving straight away. Wait a little bit for the shower steam to work its magic before using the razor.
10. Laser hair reduction
Ditch the razor for good and consider having permanent hair reduction with laser or IPL. Laser energy destroys the hair follicle, meaning that after a series of treatments the follicles become sterile, preventing the reproduction of further hair growth. We’re sold!
