You might get a red, bumpy rash after shaving if you are shaving with a dull razor, pulling the skin too tight when you're shaving, or using a double-blade razor. These bumps, known as razor burn or razor bumps, are small, irritated areas that occur when the hair grows back underneath the skin instead of emerging. To get smooth, clear skin after shaving, change your shaving routine and use home remedies to help prevent skin irritation.
Step 1
Wet a washcloth with cold water and place it on the skin immediately after shaving, recommends MayoClinic.com in the article "Ingrown Hair." Remove the compress after several minutes. The washcloth will help reduce swelling that might cause ingrown hair bumps and skin irritation.
Step 2
Slather lotion on the skin after shaving, says D'Anne Kleinsmith, M.D., a staff dermatologist at William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Michigan, in "The Doctors Book of Home Remedies." Moisturizing the skin will prevent itching and irritation due to shaving.
Step 3
Smooth on a 2 percent benzoyl peroxide acne cream to prevent ingrown hair bumps. Benzoyl peroxide acne cream is available at drugstores and grocery stores, and will exfoliate the skin to help ingrown hairs emerge.
Step 4
Saturate a cotton ball in hydrogen peroxide, then dab it on the irritated skin. Hydrogen peroxide will prevent infection and irritation on the skin.
Step 5
Consult a doctor. If your irritation after shaving is particularly severe, your doctor might recommend chemical hair removers or electrolysis to remove hairs without causing irritation.
Tips and Warnings
- Shave with a single-blade razor to reduce irritation.
- See a doctor if your skin seems infected after shaving.
Things You'll Need
- Washcloth
- Lotion
- 2 percent benzoyl peroxide acne cream
- Cotton ball
- Hydrogen peroxide
