Most people have experienced it, you have shaved and your skin gets red. Why is this happening, did I do something wrong?

My skin is red after shaving:

Redness on your skin after a shave is called a razor burn. To treat a razor burn, you must avoid shaving the affected area again and give it some time to heal because it is temporary. You must avoid alcohol-based products to treat a razor burn.

Luckily there are various methods you can use to help and make your red skin go away, and treat a razor burn. We selected 25 of the best ones for you.

Here are 25 best treatments for a razor burn

1. Avocado oil/ fresh avocado paste:

Avocado oil and fresh avocado paste are both cooling and safe for your razor burns.

2. Apple cider vinegar:

Take a small spray bottle and fill it with apple cider vinegar. Squirt the affected area with small amount once or twice a day. After you have splashed the apple cider vinegar on your razor burn, allow the area to air dry by leaving it uncovered and exposed.

Apple cider vinegar is an astringent which has anti-inflammatory properties that can really relieve all the pain from your razor burn.

3. Aspirin and water paste:

Take two tablets of aspirin, crush them into a fine powder and mix it into enough water to make an even paste. Aspirin has anti-inflammatory properties and when you apply it to your razor burns for at least 10 minutes, your skin will heal up. Rinse it off using cold water later on.

If you are a nursing mother, pregnant, or if you have a bleeding disorder such as hemophilia, or have a history of intestinal bleeding, or taking blood thinners and if you are allergic to aspirin, don’t try this treatment.

4. Aloe Vera gel:

Aloe vera gel is the most commonly available natural remedy for razor burn. Scientific studies have revealed that aloe vera gel is ideal for soothing and healing first and second-degree razor burns. If you have an aloe vera plant in your home, simply cut its leaf and apply a thin layer of its gel on your affected area by rubbing it in circular motions.

Aloe vera oil acts as a barrier between the razor and your facial skin protecting it against infection and relieving all your pain.

5. Birchwood:

Make sure your aftershave balm has birchwood, provitamin B5 and vitamin E in it, as these ingredients are very helpful in healing razor burns.

6. Black Teabags:

Take one black tea bag and dip it into some water at the normal room temperature. Rub it gently on the affected area twice or thrice a day. Be careful not to press too hard otherwise the teabag will tear open, scattering the mess all over the place.

Black tea has tannic acid in it which is very helpful in instantly reducing the inflammation and the redness of your razor burn.

7. Baking Soda Paste:

Take one tablespoon of baking soda. Dissolve it in 240ml of filtered or distilled water. Take a small cotton ball and dip it into this solution.

Dab this cotton ball onto your razor burns. Allow it to dry for a few minutes and then rinse off with cold water later on.

8. Cucumber and yogurt:

Take a cucumber and cut it into thin slices. Leave them in your refrigerator for at least ten minutes. Rub it gently against your razor burn, cover the whole affected area for up to 20 minutes.

Cucumber has anti-inflammatory properties in it and yogurt has lactic acid in it. In your blender or food processor, take 2 tablespoons of plain yogurt and a medium-sized cucumber. Make a fine paste.

Apply a thin layer of this paste on your razor burns and leave it for 20 minutes. Rinse it off with lukewarm water.

9. Calendula cream/essential oil and chamomile essential oil:

Take some calendula flowers and crush them to make a smooth cream. Cream of calendula flowers and calendula essential oil are both ideal for reducing inflammation, healing razor burns, razor bumps, and rashes. You must apply a thin layer of calendula cream or calendula essential oil on your razor burns once or twice a day.

Take a quarter cup of water and mix 6-8 drops of chamomile essential oil into it. Take a small cotton ball and dip it into this mixture. Apply it to your affected area twice or thrice a day.

10. Coconut oil:

Coconut oil has lauric acid in it which is an antiseptic and anti-inflammatory compound with hydrating and healing properties. Simply apply a few drops of coconut oil on your razor burns twice or four times a day. Make sure that you don’t apply a very thick layer.

11. Colloidal oatmeal bath:

Scientific research revealed that oats have phenols in them which are antioxidants and have anti-inflammatory properties. Colloidal oatmeal has the natural ability to hydrate and exfoliate your skin. Cook some instant oatmeal, let it cool down and apply a thin layer of it on your razor burn and leave it for half an hour.

Repeat this twice or thrice a day.

12. Cold and hot compresses:

Take some clean and soft towels, cotton pads or cotton balls and soak them in hot or cold water for a few seconds or wrap them in ice cubes. Wring out the excess water. Then press them gently against your razor burn for five to ten minutes several times in a day.

Cold compresses will soothe the burn and stinging in your armpits, bikini area, and neck. While the hot compresses will reduce the swelling and the bumps on your arms and legs.

13. Eucalyptus salve:

Apply a thin layer of eucalyptus salve on your razor burnt area to refresh it.

14. Fresh Strawberries:

Take two fresh strawberries and a teaspoon of sour cream. Blend them together. Apply it to your affected area.

15. Fresh spearmint leaves:

Crush some fresh spearmint leaves. Add them to the water in your bathtub. Soak your razor burn in the bath for a few minutes.

16. Glycolic acid and salicylic acid lotion:

Scientific studies have revealed that lotions with two percent glycolic acid and two percent salicylic acid can cause a sixty percent reduction in the irritation and pain of a razor burnt skin. Lotions with glycolic acid are good for razor burns on sensitive skin. While the lotions with salicylic acid will heal your razor burns but dry out your skin.

17. Honey:

You can mix honey into oatmeal or apple cider vinegar. Honey is antibacterial and antiseptic. You can apply a small amount of honey on the burnt area and leave it for ten to fifteen minutes.

Wash with lukewarm water and splash some cool water after that.

18. Almond/ grapeseed/ lavender/ olive essential oil:

Take six drops of lavender essential oil and dilute it into fifteen milliliters of any other essential oil (almond, calendula, chamomile, coconut, grapeseed, or olive). Massage it into your razor burns. Never massage any undiluted essential oil on your affected area.

19. Petroleum jelly:

Petroleum jelly which is called Vaseline is also very helpful at healing your razor burnt skin. Your skin will absorb it, so you don’t have to wash, wipe or rinse it off. After about 2 hours, you must apply another layer.

Continue these applications until your razor burn has subsided.

20. Hydrocortisone cream:

Apply a one percent hydrocortisone anti-itch cream, twice a day on the affected area, but not for several days together.

21. Pharmaceutical medicines:

Go to your local pharmacy and buy benzoyl peroxide, cortisone cream, topical steroid cream,  antibiotics ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, Lotrimin and/or pills like fluconazole. These medicines will help you treat your razor burnt area.

22. Shea butter:

Make sure your aftershave balm has shea butter in it to help soothe the razor burns or razor bumps.

23. Tea tree oil:

Take two tablespoons of water at the normal room temperature and mix 4 to 5 drops of tea tree oil to it. Or take one tablespoon of olive oil and add three drops of tea tree oil to it. Tea tree oil is antibacterial and antiseptic so it will heal your razor burns quickly.

Massage this mixture on the affected area for 10 to 15 minutes twice a day. Wash it off with lukewarm water later on.

24. Witch hazel:

Witch hazel is an astringent which is good for healing the itchiness, irritation, and pain of your razor burns. Take a small spray bottle and fill it with witch hazel. Or dip small cotton balls into witch hazel and apply on your razor burns twice or thrice a day.

25. White vinegar:

Add 2 tablespoons of white vinegar to the water in the bathtub. Soak the affected area in it for a few minutes. It will cool down your skin irritation, refreshing your red and scarped skin due to a razor burn or razor rash.

What can I do about razor burn?

If you shave properly you will never get razor burns or razor bumps (also known as barber’s itch or razor rash). If your skin is prone to burns you must shave only twice or thrice a week using an electric razor or use chemical depilatories instead.

Conclusion

To sum up, to treat your razor burns quickly, you can make use of the homemade treatment solutions above or, see a dermatologist. Wear loose clothing made out of natural fiber only.