How to Treat Razor Burn

Co-authored by Eric McClure | Medically reviewed by Timmy Yanchun

Last Updated: August 25, 2021 References Approved

Razor burn appears as a red, itchy rash. Sometimes, it can cause a burning or stinging sensation. While it’s often caused by the way you shave or the razor you use, some folks are simply more prone to razor burn than others. The good news is that razor burn typically heals on its own after a few days of taking it easy, and there are plenty of options when it comes to soothing your pain while you wait!

1

Wait it out

Most of the time, the best treatment is just waiting it out. Razor burn usually heals on its own in a few days. While there’s nothing wrong with taking steps to soothe your skin if it’s causing you pain, there aren’t any super effective ways to make it heal faster. On top of that, putting things on your skin when it’s already damaged could slow down the healing process. If you’re in pain, feel free to treat your symptoms, but don’t poke at your skin or put things on it if you don’t need to.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Timmy Yanchun
Professional Barber
Expert Interview. 22 January 2020.}
- If you have razor burn somewhere other than your face, wear loose-fitting clothing to avoid irritating your skin for a few days.
- This may seem obvious, but don’t shave your razor-burned skin while it’s healing. That means you may need to let that five-o’clock-shadow grow out a bit.

2

Hydrocortisone cream

Rub a small dollop of hydrocortisone cream into your skin. Any over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream or ointment should help reduce any symptoms you’re experiencing. Whenever you feel any pain or irritation, squirt a coin-sized dollop of cream on to your skin and work it in gently with your fingertips.^{[2]
X
Research source} Hydrocortisone is a steroid that will minimize any pain or itching you’re experiencing. It will also soothe any inflammation if your skin has had an especially dramatic response to the razor.^{[3]
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Trustworthy Source
National Health Service (UK)
Public healthcare system of the UK
Go to source}
- Don’t use topical treatments or moisturizers on open wounds. You can use them in small amounts on your face, but avoid putting them close to your eyes, nose, or mouth. Do not put anything on your genitals, either.

3

Moisturizer

Using an alcohol-free moisturizer will help if your skin dries out. Razor-burned skin tends to hurt when it gets dry. If you notice that your skin is especially dry whenever it hurts, grab any unscented skin moisturizer and work a small dollop into your skin. This will keep your skin soft and comfortable while it heals from the razor burn.^{[4]
X
Expert Source

Timmy Yanchun
Professional Barber
Expert Interview. 22 January 2020.}

4

Oatmeal bath

An oatmeal bath is a great way to soothe skin while relaxing! Oats naturally moisturize skin, and an oatmeal bath is a great way to reduce any symptoms you’re experiencing as a result of the razor burn. Oats contain glucans, which are naturally soothing and relaxing for your skin. This is a great way to get some self-care in while treating your irritated skin!^{[5]
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Research source}

5

Exfoliate

Chemical exfoliation will remove dead skin that may be irritating you. Grab the gentlest chemical exfoliant you have.^{[6]
X
Trustworthy Source
PubMed Central
Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
Go to source} Follow the instructions on the product to apply the cream, scrub, or mask to your affected skin. Leave it on for the period of time listed on the instructions, and then wash it off. This will get rid of any dead skin cells, which may be irritating your razor burn and making it itch or hurt.^{[7]
X
Expert Source

Timmy Yanchun
Professional Barber
Expert Interview. 22 January 2020.}
- Chemical exfoliants will help so long as they include one of the following ingredients: lactic acid, salicylic acid, retinol, and vitamin A.^{[8]
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  Research source}
- Shaving is actually a form of physical exfoliation since it involves rubbing something against your skin. In this sense, if your skin is irritated because you shaved, adding more physical exfoliation is probably not going to help anything. Chemical exfoliation should be fine, though.^{[9]
  X
  Research source}

6

Glycolic acid

Any product with glycolic acid in it will help your skin. Glycolic acid is found in a variety of creams, lotions, toners, and moisturizers. Using these products before or after shaving will dramatically minimize any razor-related issues you run into. Glycolic acid is scientifically proven to prevent razor bumps, minimize irritation, and soothe your skin, so it’s a safe bet that it’ll help your razor burn.^{[10]
X
Trustworthy Source
PubMed Central
Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
Go to source}

7

Witch hazel

Use an astringent with witch hazel in it to relax your skin naturally. Witch hazel is a plant extract with soothing properties, and it’s a good option if you want an organic treatment solution for your irritated skin. Swing by your local pharmacy and look for an astringent with no alcohol in it. Whenever your skin starts to bother you, work a small dollop of the astringent into your skin with a cotton ball.^{[11]
X
Expert Source

Timmy Yanchun
Professional Barber
Expert Interview. 22 January 2020.}
- Alcohol is an especially bad option for razor burn because it’ll dry your skin out. The dryer your razor-burned skin is, the more it will itch and burn.

8

Heat and clean skin

Apply some heat and wash the skin to prevent razor burn. You’re less likely to get razor burn if you shave when your skin is clean and warm. Try shaving after you’ve taken a warm shower or cleaned your skin with a warm washcloth. This will make it a lot easier for the razor blade to glide through your hair without irritating your skin.^{[12]
X
Expert Source

Timmy Yanchun
Professional Barber
Expert Interview. 22 January 2020.}
- Don’t skip shaving cream or gel, either. If you don’t use them, you’re much more likely to irritate your skin.^{[13]
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  Research source}

9

Replacement razor

If you’re running into razor burn repeatedly, get a new razor. Razor burn is typically caused by the razor tugging or damaging your hair while it cuts through it. When this happens over and over again, it’s usually a sign that your razor needs to be replaced, since a dull razor will be much likely to struggle to slice through your hair.^{[14]
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Research source}
- Replace your razor blade after 5-7 shaves to ensure that you aren’t using a dull razor.^{[15]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  American Academy of Dermatology
  Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
  Go to source}

Expert Q&A
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Question

How can I get rid of razor bumps fast?

Timmy Yanchun
Professional Barber
Timmy Yanchun is a Professional Barber and Co-Founder of Svelte Barbershop + Essentials. Svelte Barbershop + Essentials is a men’s grooming company, specializing in men’s hair, beard, skin, and shave products, originally located in the SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills, California but has now branched out to 3 locations across Los Angeles. Timmy has been cutting hair since age 13 and opened his first of 6 barbershops at age 18. He is also the co-founder of the newly launched brand LTHR, the world's first wireless hot lather machine for barber quality shaves at home. Timmy and Svelte have been featured in GQ, Men's Fitness, and Hypebeast.

Timmy Yanchun

Professional Barber

Expert Answer

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Applying an astringent such as witch hazel will help shrink your pores so you don't feel the irritation as much.
Question

What if you scratch them?

Janice Litza, MD
Board Certified Family Medicine Physician
Dr. Litza is a board certified Family Medicine Physician in Wisconsin. She is a practicing Physician and taught as a Clinical Professor for 13 years, after receiving her MD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health in 1998.

Janice Litza, MD

Board Certified Family Medicine Physician

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The affected area will feel irritated and itchy, I recommend avoiding scratching and instead apply some Vaseline, soothing lotion, or hydrocortisone cream to ease the irritation.
Question

My neck is swollen due to razor burn. How long will it take for the swelling to disappear?

Janice Litza, MD
Board Certified Family Medicine Physician
Dr. Litza is a board certified Family Medicine Physician in Wisconsin. She is a practicing Physician and taught as a Clinical Professor for 13 years, after receiving her MD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health in 1998.

Janice Litza, MD

Board Certified Family Medicine Physician

Expert Answer

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Immediately after a shave that caused razor burn, you will have some local swelling, which should go away within an hour or so. If it does not or gets worse, you might need to check with your doctor and make sure an infection or other problem hasn't complicated the area.