What Is Razor Burn? Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention

Most people have had the unpleasant experience of razor burn at some point in their lives. Razor burn is skin irritation that occurs while shaving your face, legs, or other body parts to remove unwanted hair. The interaction between the blade, hair, and skin is what causes razor burn.

Razor burn occurs in both men and women, and it can last anywhere from a few hours to a few days, depending on how severe it is. People with sensitive skin may be more susceptible to razor burn.

“Razor burn is caused by trauma from your razor blade while shaving,” says Joshua Zeichner, MD, an associate professor of dermatology and the director of cosmetic and clinical research at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. “As the razor blades move over the skin, they can disrupt the outer skin layer, leading to microscopic cracks, loss of hydration, and inflammation.” This translates to the red, itchy rash you may experience.

• Moisten skin first The best time to shave is after a warm shower while your skin and hair are soft and moist.
• Apply shave cream or gel This will create a barrier between the blade and your skin and enhance the glide of the razor.
• Use single strokes, in the direction of hair growth Do not go over the same area multiple times, and do not go against the grain. You make think that shaving in the opposite direction of hair growth provides a closer shave but it actually leads to irritation.
• Rinse the razor frequently Clean the razor every two to three strokes to remove debris that builds up between the blades. Do not tap the blades against the sink because this can disrupt the specialized polymer coating that is used on most razor blades.
• Moisturize Apply a moisturizing aftershave lotion to help hydrate and repair the skin barrier.

Although there are no statistics regarding how many people experience razor burn,  Zeichner says it’s “a very common condition that I see on a daily basis in my practice.”

The American Academy of Dermatology website offers detailed skincare tips for both men and women.