How to Prevent Razor Burn

It’s no wonder guys want to know how to prevent razor burn. After all, it’s a pain to deal with and can seriously downgrade the quality of your shave. Wouldn’t it just be better to completely avoid it in the first place?

Luckily, stopping razor burn is as simple as adjusting your shaving routine. Throw away those bad shaving habits that are holding you back, and replace them with skin-nourishing hacks to leave you looking your best.

Are you ready to learn how to prevent razor burn? Below, we’ve detailed our step-by-step guide for avoiding this nasty condition altogether. 

What Is Razor Burn?

Razor burn is a common skin irritation that occurs when shaving - often triggered by friction between the blade and skin. This friction is created by shaving with blunt blades, using a clogged razor, dry shaving, or going against the direction of hair growth. 

Razor burn will often come in the form of a red rash or bumps post-shave. Though, it can also cause tenderness, itchiness, and a ‘burning’ feeling on the skin. 

How To Prevent Razor Burn 

Now that we know what razor burn is, let’s dive into the nitty gritty - here are 7 simple ways you can stop razor burn.

Prepare With Warm Water

Learning how to prevent razor burn is all about proper preparation and good shaving habits - and the best way to start the shaving process is with a splash of warm water. 

Jump in a warm shower or soak your face with a hot towel to help soften your stubble. This quick and easy step will make it much easier for the blades to swiftly and easily cut through the facial hair. 

Exfoliate 

After you’ve prepared the stubble, you’ll need to take care of any dead skin cells lingering on the surface of the skin. Otherwise, these skin cells will clog your razor and pull on your skin - leading to an uneven shave and razor burn. 

Stop this from happening by grabbing an exfoliator and giving your face a quick scrub before you shave. 

Use Shaving Gel 

When it comes to stopping razor burn, shaving gel is absolutely essential. These lubricants help to minimise any resistance between the blades and the skin, leaving you with a seamless stroke of your razor. Not to mention, they’ll also protect the moisture in your skin to protect you from any skin irritation. 

This soap-free Clear Shave Gel is a great option for preventing razor burn. The formula is deeply hydrating to protect from razor burn. Plus, it’ll leave your skin feeling soft and supple.

Try A Safety Razor 

If you’re consistently experiencing razor burn with your cartridge razor, it may be worth making the switch to a safety razor. 

When it comes to skin irritation, cartridge razors are a common culprit. The blades can become easily clogged or blunted, which can increase resistance against the skin and lead to razor burn. 

Because of the way safety razors are used, they come with a reduced risk of skin irritation. Since the razor only has one blade and requires regular rinsing, it’s harder for it to clog-up. Plus, having a lower blade-count in your razor can help to lessen any friction and stop razor burn. 

Are you looking for a safety razor? Check out this Tac Black Double Edge Safety Razor. With a full steel frame and a sleek black titanium finish, this razor will be sure to stick around for the long haul. Plus, its hefty 130g weight helps it to plow through your stubble with ease. 

Avoid Blunt Blades 

There’s more than one reason to ditch those blunt razor blades - not only can they increase your chances of a shaving cut, but they can also increase skin irritation post-shave. 

When your razor is dull, the blades will tug and pull on your facial hair. This increases friction and can irritate the skin, often in the form of razor burn. 

You can expect your blades to turn blunt every 6 shaves or so. If you notice the razor catching on the facial hair, it’s time to replace it. 

Don’t Go Against The Grain 

‘Don’t shave against the grain’ - there’s a good reason why this is the first shaving rule we hear as young lads. 

For any blokes unaware, shaving against the grain means moving the razor in the opposite direction of hair growth. Though it can help to get a closer shave, it’s also the path of most resistance for our razors. So, shaving against the grain can be a quick road to razor burn and skin irritation. 

To help stop razor burn, it’s best to remember that age-old rule - don’t shave against the grain. 

Grab An Aftershave that Moisturises

Shaving can be a stressful experience for the skin, which is why aftershave is such an important aspect of our grooming routine. 

Aftershave works to soothe and calm the skin post-shave, with ingredients to help rehydrate and deal with any skin irritation. If you’ve picked-up any razor burn during your shave, using aftershave is the first step on the road to recovery. 

Are you on the hunt for an aftershave? We’d recommend these Aftershave Serums. They contain a unique combination of aloe vera, antioxidants, and botanicals to soothe any irritation post-shave. Plus, unlike other aftershaves, they won’t sting when they’re applied.