forestall razor burn is a type of issues that sounds easy till you are gazing purple bumps below your arms or cringing at a bikini space that is been feeling uncooked for days.
Shaving is not difficult in concept, however by some means it manages to trigger a few of the most painful and protracted irritations individuals cope with.
What makes it worse is that there’s recommendation all over the place, and far of it’s self-contradictory. Commercials promote five-blade razors. TikTok influencers let you know to rub acids (eek!) on freshly shaved pores and skin or instantly apply deodorant to “kill micro organism.” Dermatologists say you ought to be light. Pals say it’s best to exfoliate extra.
Someplace in the midst of all this, your pores and skin pays the value. Particularly in case you have delicate pores and skin, shaving is prone to trigger pores and skin itching, razor burn, and different irritation.
We need to clear up the confusion. Under are seven of the commonest myths about the right way to forestall razor burn, why they do not work, and what truly helps your pores and skin keep calm and comfy.
We additionally present recommendations on utilizing CV Skinlabs merchandise to assist resolve irritation, redness, razor burn and post-shave itching. The excellent news is that with the proper strategies and merchandise, you possibly can obtain irritation-free, clean pores and skin.
Fantasy 1 about the right way to forestall razor burn: Extra blades at all times means much less irritation!
You’ve got seen the advertisements: firms promoting razors with increasingly more blades. It looks as if they add a brand new knife yearly! They are saying they make shaving smoother and ‘softer’. The reality is barely completely different, particularly with delicate pores and skin.
The issue is that multi-blade razors present an especially shut shave. Typically too shut. With every motion, one blade can pull the hair upwards, whereas the following cuts the hair beneath the pores and skin’s floor. When hair begins to develop again, it may well curl inward or get caught below the pores and skin, resulting in ingrown hairs and irritation.
That is particularly widespread in areas such because the bikini line, the place the hair is thicker and curlier, and within the armpits, the place pores and skin folds improve friction.
What you are able to do as a substitute:
What works higher is matching the razor to your pores and skin’s tolerance. Many dermatologists, together with these referenced by the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), recommend that fewer blades (and even single-blade razors) can cut back irritation in people who find themselves delicate to bumps. Shaving with gentle stress, rinsing the blade repeatedly and avoiding repetitive strokes over the identical space are extra vital than the variety of blades.
Fantasy 2: Arduous exfoliation simply earlier than shaving prevents bumps
You’ve got in all probability heard this recommendation: at all times exfoliate the pores and skin earlier than shaving. It appears logical. Take away the useless pores and skin cells in order that the razor can take away the hair cleanly.
It is true that exfoliation may also help forestall ingrown hairs by eradicating the useless pores and skin that tends to lure rising hair. However How you exfoliate issues. Many individuals assume that exfoliating means “being aggressive.” However onerous scrubbing (particularly proper earlier than shaving) can weaken the pores and skin barrier and trigger small abrasions which you could’t see.
Then the razor goes over the already confused pores and skin and irritation happens.
What you are able to do as a substitute:
A greater strategy is to be extra light when exfoliating. For many individuals, a lightweight exfoliation the day earlier than shaving works higher than scrubbing simply beforehand. You should utilize mushy washcloths or delicate exfoliants, however keep away from gritty scrubs or stiff brushes. In case your pores and skin already feels delicate or tight, skipping exfoliation altogether throughout that cycle is commonly the neatest alternative.
Fantasy 3 about the right way to keep away from shaving irritation: Dry shaving is okay in case you are cautious
Some days you are in a rush, or perhaps you do not have all of the instruments you usually use for shaving. So that you assume you possibly can shave dry or simply shave with water. It saves time, and it ought to be good, proper?
Truly, this is without doubt one of the quickest methods to trigger irritation. With out lubrication of a gel or cream, the razor will drag throughout your pores and skin as a substitute of gliding. This will increase friction and infrequently causes micro cracks within the pores and skin. Delicate areas really feel this instantly with burning, itching and redness that may seem inside minutes.
What you are able to do as a substitute:
What helps is to scale back that friction as a lot as doable. Shaving after a scorching bathe causes the hair to melt and swell barely, making it simpler to chop neatly. Use a delicate, fragrance-free shaving cream or gel to maintain the razor shifting easily with out damaging the pores and skin.
After shaving, your pores and skin barrier wants assist. That is the place calming merchandise matter. CV Skinlabs Rescue + Reduction Spray is specifically designed for irritated, infected pores and skin and is commonly used after shaving to immediately cool and cut back redness and discomfort with out clogging. It infuses the pores and skin with moisture and promotes wound therapeutic, supporting tissue restore.
Fantasy 4: Shaving extra usually retains the pores and skin calm
You will have heard that frequent shaving prevents irritation by preserving hair brief and mushy. However in actuality, shaving too usually retains the pores and skin in fixed restore. Hair that has barely grown might be more durable to chop cleanly, resulting in pulling and repetitive motions, which will increase irritation.
What you are able to do as a substitute:
Your pores and skin wants some relaxation. If irritation happens, pause shaving for just a few days and deal with restoration. This usually helps to unravel the issue. Throughout that restoration interval, use a protecting balm like our Restorative Pores and skin Balm to create a protecting barrier that helps therapeutic and helps regenerate injured pores and skin whereas hydrating, softening and soothing it.
Fantasy 5 on the right way to forestall razor burn: Sturdy lively components instantly after shaving Stop ingrown pores and skin
This fable is fueled by social media. You will discover recommendation on-line on the right way to apply glycolic acid, alcohol and even deodorant straight after shaving to ‘kill micro organism’ or ‘maintain pores clear’. Whereas chemical exfoliants may also help with ingrowns in some routines, freshly shaved pores and skin just isn’t the time to experiment with them.
Instantly after shaving, your pores and skin barrier is broken. Making use of acids, alcohol-based merchandise, or scented deodorants can intensify the burning sensation and lengthen irritation, particularly below the arms and alongside the bikini line.
What you are able to do as a substitute:
A wiser thought is to separate the remedy from the shaving. Instantly after shaving, deal with softening and moisturizing the pores and skin. Wait till your pores and skin has had a while to get well earlier than returning to exfoliating or anti-aging therapies.
Our Physique Restore Lotion works effectively at this stage as a result of it hydrates and helps the pores and skin barrier with out utilizing harsh components that may worsen sensitivity. It accommodates emollients, aloe and oats that assist soothe the pores and skin and promote therapeutic.
Fantasy 6: Shaving in opposition to the grain at all times offers you one of the best shaving outcome
That is one other one of the crucial persistent myths within the magnificence world. For years, individuals believed that for those who wished the smoothest pores and skin doable, it’s best to shave in the wrong way of your hair development.
It appears logical. Once you draw your razor in opposition to the grain, it lifts every hair barely earlier than chopping it, theoretically leading to a more in-depth shave. That is true, however the issue is that shut shaving usually results in extra irritation. Particularly in delicate areas, whenever you shave in opposition to the course of hair development, you power the razor to tug on every hair earlier than chopping it. This irritates the pores and skin round every hair follicle, inflicting redness and irritation.
The opposite drawback is that when hair is reduce this manner, it’s usually reduce so brief that it finally ends up slightly below the floor of the pores and skin. When it begins to develop again, it may well curl and develop again into the pores and skin, inflicting ingrown hairs.
What you are able to do as a substitute:
The most secure strategy is to shave within the course your hair grows. You possibly can decide the course by gently operating your hand over the realm. In case your hand glides easily and the hair feels flat, you’re going with the grain. For those who really feel resistance or the hair stands up and feels tough, you are going in opposition to it.
Once you shave alongside the grain, the razor cuts the hairs simply above the pores and skin’s floor, as a substitute of pulling them up first. This causes much less irritation and considerably reduces the possibility of growing ingrown hairs. Sure, for those who run your hand in opposition to the grain, you might even see very gentle stubble, however your pores and skin might be more healthy, calmer and extra snug.
Fantasy 7 on the right way to forestall razor burn: Scorching water is crucial for an excellent shave
You will have seen scenes in films the place the barber applies steaming scorching towels to a buyer’s face earlier than shaving. Or perhaps somebody informed you that scorching water is greatest. Be that as it could, individuals are inclined to assume that the warmer the water, the softer the hair turns into, which ought to result in a more in-depth shave.
Heat water helps soften hair and open pores, however water that’s too scorching might be counterproductive. It strips your pores and skin’s pure protecting oils, leaving the pores and skin dry and extra susceptible to irritation. Scorching water itself also can trigger the pores and skin to turn into extra delicate and swollen, making it simpler for nicks to type throughout shaving.
What you are able to do as a substitute:
Use heat water, not scorching, when getting ready to shave. It’ll soften hair and open pores with out damaging your pores and skin’s protecting barrier. The perfect time to shave is after you will have been within the bathe or tub for about three to 5 minutes.
One other tip: After shaving, rinse the shaved space with cool (not ice-cold) water. It helps shut your pores once more, which reduces the chance of irritation and helps forestall micro organism from coming into the newly opened hair follicles.
After rinsing, apply our Rescue + Reduction spray for extra cooling aid.
The true reply to the right way to forestall razor burn
Most razor burn comes down to 3 issues: an excessive amount of friction, shaving too shut, and a weakening of the pores and skin barrier. As a substitute, use light shaving strategies, moisturize effectively earlier than you begin, and care for the pores and skin afterwards. With a bit additional TLC, your pores and skin will in all probability really feel quite a bit higher.
What fable have you ever been following?
Featured picture by jcomp op Freepik.