How to Prevent Severe Razor Rash
Naked Armor
As shaving practices go, there’s a lot to be said for doing it carefully and mindfully.
Published by Naked Armor
Shaving, particularly wet shaving, is a delicate routine and requires time and patience.
It is, after all, a delicate routine not only because you are shaving delicate skin but also because you’re using a sharp metal tool to cut facial hair.
When you’re doing it wrong, the results won’t be pleasant. The quality of the shave won’t be high and it will also leave lingering effects, which can affect how you look and feel for the day.
Razor rash is a skin irration brought about by shaving
Photo by: www.beardcarezone.com
What is a Severe Razor Rash?
A razor rash, also known as razor burn, is what happens when your skin is irritated by a razor. It refers to the redness, soreness, and irritation brought about by shaving. This can occur alongside ingrown hairs but often without it as well.
When shaving facial hair, the razor does not only remove your whiskers but it also scrapes the top layer of the skin. This damages the outer epidermal layer, making it more prone to bacterial infection. This can result in acne breakouts, especially for those with sensitive skin.
Usually a razor rash will only last for a few minutes, just about half the time you need to get dressed up and out of the door for work. By the time you reach your office place, it will have subsided and make you look like nothing happened.
But there are times when the razor rash can be so severe that it can persist for longer periods of time. We’re talking about hours here, not minutes. It can also stay and become beard rash once hair starts growing back. If you’ve got sensitive skin, chances are you will be prone to severe shaving rash on your chin if you’re not shaving properly.
This is also true for those with curly hair. Among black men, razor rashes often accompany razor bumps when they don’t shave properly. It’s because curly skin needs to be prepped well so that shaving can be easy.
If you’re prone to razor rash, shaving might seem daunting. But in some instances, shaving is simply unavoidable. For example, if your workplace requires you to be clean-shaven, or if you need to tidy up for a special occasion, you just have to do it.
But what to do when shaving irritates your skin? Here are our tips and techniques to reduce your chances of getting a severe razor rash.
Exfoliate First Before Shaving
By this, we mean scrubbing your skin when washing it to remove dead skin particles. Exfoliation also helps prevents the hair stubs from curling under the skin and becoming ingrown.
You don’t need to exfoliate every day, but certainly a few times a week is more than enough to ensure your skin is healthy and free from dirt. Just don’t scrub your skin too hard since that can remove important oils that keep your skin supple and smooth.
Use an exfoliating scrub or chemical but if you don’t have one, simply rubbing your skin gently with your fingers is enough to exfoliate all the dead skin cells and dried oil, leaving your skin smooth and preventing problems like rashes or dandruffs.
Exfoliation ensures that your skin is healthy and free from dirt. It also helps prevent ingrown hairs.
Prep Your Face Well Before Shaving
And we don’t mean a hasty splash of water on your face. Whether you’re prone to razor irritation on your face or not, face prep before shaving is an important step that should never be skipped. It’ll make for a comfortable and easy shave.
The secret here is to wash your face with warm water. Whether you’re washing your face over at a sink or taking a hot shower, washing your face with hot moisture is a great way to clean off the dirt from your face and getting your whiskers and skin softened enough for shaving.
Next, you need to put on some pre-shave oil on your skin. The thin layer of oil acts as a barrier that lessens the blade friction which is what causes shaving irritation. On the plus side, most shave oils nowadays contain natural essential oils that are beneficial for the skin. It will help nourish your skin in preparation for shaving.
Washing your face before shaving cleans off the dirt from your face and softens your whiskers and skin
Don’t Dry Shave
If you haven’t tried it yet, now is the time to start wet shaving.
Yes, it’s going to take much longer than a dry shave but at least, it won’t cause you a razor rash. That’s because lathering your face helps protect the skin from being irritated by excessive blade friction. The thick lather props up the whiskers so that you can shave them off easily. It also helps the razor blade to easily slide on your skin, reducing razor burn.
Lather helps protect your skin from excessive
blade friction
If you haven’t tried it yet, now is the time to start wet shaving. Yes, it’s going to take much longer than a dry shave but at least, it won’t cause you a razor rash.
— D'Rock, Naked Armor Founder
Don’t Overstretch Your Skin
Stretching the skin while shaving gives you a nice, flat surface for your razor to work on. But overstretching can set up the hair to grow inwards. When you pull the skin, the hairs pop out of the follicle making it easier for the razor to cut it. But too much tautness and the tip of the hair will retract into the follicle and curl inward when it grows. That’s how one gets razor bumps and prickly hair after shaving.
Don’t forget to shave slowly and gently as well. Allow the weight of the blade to carry the stroke. If you apply more pressure than necessary, you’ll either have a ghastly cut or an angry rash due to an irritated skin layer.
Not overstretching the skin can help prevent the hair from growing inwards
Use a Single Blade Razor
The thing with cartridge razors is that there are too many blades. Whether it is the standard 3-blade cartridge or the over the top five-blade multi-blade razor, more blades increase the friction. And that’s something your skin does not need. Instead shave with a single blade razor to minimize irritations down to zero, especially if you shave everyday.
Also, the gaps between the blades in the cartridges are also prone to tug on the whiskers. This makes shaving unpleasant and painful. It also increases the chances of getting multiple tiny cuts.
A single blade razor like Naked Armor's Solomon Straight Razor can give you the closest shave in
one pass
Get a Naked Armor Blade
That’s why here at Naked Armor, we only have high-quality safety and straight razors because they get the job done luxuriously and efficiently.
They’re made from Japanese steel and sandalwood which makes them eco-friendly and made to last.
Our straight razors, in particular, have a unique design that allows them to shave the hair of all types and textures. The blades are designed in between a full hollow and a half hollow grind which makes it versatile and an ideal tool for the newbie or even the professional beard stylist.
A Naked Armor straight razor will definitely help you reduce the chances of getting a severe razor rash. Not only that, but you’re also getting a fine piece of a razor.
Check out our site for more high-quality razors and shaving products.
More Naked Armor Reads
The Newbie Guide to Straight Razor Shaving
10 Essential Wet Shaving Tips For Men
Straight Razor and History of Shaving
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