Razor Burn Symptoms
The most common cause of razor burns is shaving. The razor ‘sharpens’ the free hair end while shaving, and if it’s really a close shave this sharp stubble remains below the surface of the skin.
Once it starts to grow, it most often than not, pierces the skin instead of growing straight out of the hair follicle, causing razor burns and bumps. However, these can very often be the result of other hair removal methods such as waxing, electrolysis and laser hair removal.
What are the razor burn symptoms?
Now if you shave too closely, shave with a blunt blade, shave on dry skin, apply too much pressure while shaving, shave too fast or shave too roughly, you’re sure to invite nicks and cuts leading to razor burns. The symptoms of razor burn appear once the hair end pierces the skin. They may include:
a. Skin redness: Red or darkened skin is due to the abrasion caused by using wrong methods of shaving, as described above.
b. Inflammation: The skin redness is generally accompanied by skin inflammation that causes irritation, reminding you of your shaving folly!
c. Bumps: If left unattended, this inflammation can take the form of painful bumps and appear as red pimples.
d. Pus: If an antiseptic is not applied to the bumps, they can very well get infected and become pus filled. A severe case would need to be brought under the scalpel of your physician and can even lead to scarring.
How can you prevent razor burns?
Lives would be much easier, if you could all quit shaving and walk around with masses of free-flowing hair hanging from your legs, bikini areas and armpits. However, till the time world fashionista declares the hirsute look ‘in’, you’d have to consider removing it a necessity. However, there are certain things you can do for preventing razor burn. Let’s see what they are:
a. Use of a moisturizing shaving gel to smoothen the surface of the skin to be shaved.
b. Shaving in the direction of the hair growth.
c. Resisting the urge to shave too closely.
d. Applying minimal pressure.
e. Avoiding scratching the skin after shaving.
f. Avoiding the application of irritating products on the shaved area, like colognes, perfumes, and so on.
g. Using aftershave cream with Aloe vera or other emollients.
Razor burn is not a serious problem, unless you make it! So, adhere to safe shaving practices, but if you do get afflicted, get rid of razor burns by taking immediate treatment. It’s far better than visiting your physician with a severe condition.
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