Best Ways to Prevent and Treat Razor Burn

You have been eating well, exercising, hydrating, and sleeping 8 hours a night. You are ready for summer… except for that red razor burn! No matter what you do, you itch like crazy within minutes of stepping out of the shower and have no desire to wear shorts. Believe me, you are not alone.

Whether you have sensitive skin or might be causing it inadvertently, check-out these holistic tips for preventing and treating razor burn this summer!

• Check your blades. Dull blades can wreak havoc on our skin because they cut hair unevenly which can result in razor burn. Bottom line, switch your blades more often than you think you should.
• Shave “with the grain.” We’re often not taught this, but it definitely can help. Try it and see the results of less bumps and redness.
• Avoid hitting the same spot twice. It’s easy to do, but it can cause irritation. Using a shaving gel or crème can help you identify which areas you’ve hit and which ones you haven’t. I highly recommend using a product without triethanolamine, parfum (fragrance), or phthalates—all of which are chemicals that I don’t like in skincare products and can cause irritation.
• Exfoliate Your Skin. On days when you are not shaving, exfoliate your skin by using a teaspoon of Epsom salts (I love Dr. Teal’s Epsom salt), mixed with your body wash or cleanser. This will help get rid of dead skin cells that can cause irritation when shaving.
• Use Apple Cider vinegar, diluted. If you have razor burn and it’s red, inflamed, burning or itching, dab a little bit of diluted apple cider vinegar on the area several times a day. Leave on for 10 minutes and rinse with cold water. Apple cider vinegar is known for its anti-inflammatory properties and the acetic acid can help prevent infection.
• Make a cup of tea: Black tea. Make a cup of hot tea with a black tea bag (only letting it steep for 30-to 45-seconds) and then cool the tea bag down by squeezing it and letting it sit on the counter or in the fridge for 15 minutes. Gently rub over the razor burned area and let it rest on top of affected skin for several minutes. Repeat a few times a day to help soothe inflamed, bumpy skin. The thought behind this remedy is the tannic acid works to help reduce inflammation.
• Aloe is the best plant to grow and have on-hand during summer months. I use mine all the time. Not only is it soothing for a sunburn or rash, but it’s perfect to apply to a razor burn to help soothe, cool and reduce inflamed skin. Just break open a small leaf and squeeze out and onto the affected area.