skinRazor burn is caused by hair that is pushed back into the follicle. It can become inflamed and then develop into an ingrown hair. This is not to be confused with cuts and scrapes that can happen if you shave improperly. Both razor burn and skin scrapes can feel the same, but the cause is different. Razor burn develops a short time after shaving, so you probably don’t notice it right away. You know when you’ve cut or scraped yourself immediately when it happens.

The best home remedy for razor burn is to prevent it from happening. Here are a few pointers;

For those who use a razor;

  • Use a clean, sharp razor Regardless of the advertising claims; razor blades get dull fairly quickly. The thicker the beard the quicker the blade dulls. I’ve found it best to use a new blade every two to three shaves. That may seem costly, but the same thing happens to electric razor blades. They start out sharp and stay that way longer than the manual razors, but they soon lose their edge
  • Use plenty of water when shaving – the hotter the better. If you use a quality shaving oil you can add water as you shave.
  • Always shave in the direction of the hair growth
    It seems more efficient to try cutting against the grain to get the most of the hair. That really isn’t the case. If the hair is moistened well and you use a good shaving oil or gel you should be able to get a close shave by shaving in the direction the hair grows. If you are prone to razor burn shaving against the grain will make matters worse.
  • Use shaving oil or gel rather than a cream to help avoid clogging the pores. The Compounder’s Total Shaving Solution is the best shaving product I’ve ever used. You wet the skin with hot water, apply just a few drops and start shaving. You can add more water anytime to keep things moving smoothly.
  • Avoid passing the razor over the same area of skin numerous times If the hair isn’t removed in a pass or two, more rubbing will just make matters worse for the razor burn and it won’t cut the hair any better.

If you use an electric razor;

  • Use a pre-shave product or shaving oil like The Compounder’s Total Shaving Solution
  • Shave in the direction of the hair growth or with slight circular motion
  • Don’t go over the same area numerous times

These tips can certainly help prevent razor burn in the future, but what can you do if you already have it? Is there a home remedy for razor burn – once you already have it? Start by washing the area with a mild soap. Rinse with warm water and pat dry. This will soften the skin and allow the trapped hairs to grow without getting trapped beneath the skin.

If there is redness you may want to apply hydrocortisone cream. Only use this once or twice a day for just a couple of days.

A more effective home remedy for razor burn would be a cream or gel that contains aloe vera. Apply it twice a day. Aloe is safe and good for your skin, so using it daily is a good plan for overall skin health.

Beta Glucan is a very effective healing product that is derived from oats. It is safe and effective. Glucan Pro is a cream that contains a very high quality beta glucan. It can help heal razor burn in a very short time – and you can use it on all sorts of skin problems. You only need to apply a small amount once or twice daily. One tube can last for months – and you can use it for a lot more than just a home remedy for razor burn. If you find a reliable source for this, let us know.

When you start shaving again keep the above prevention ideas in mind. Be gentle, go slow, and be sure to use a high quality lubricant or pre-shave. I recommend The Compounder’s Total Shaving Solution. It’s one of the best shaving oils available. You can use it with your razor or an electric. It is particularly effective at preventing bumps and razor burn. If you develop the razor burn anyway treat it gently with hydrocortisone, aloe, and beta glucan.

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