How to Take Care of Your Skin After Shaving to Prevent Razor Bumps

How to Take Care of Your Skin After Shaving: A Comprehensive Guide to Prevent Razor Bumps and Other Skin Issues

We’ve all been there—you put in all that effort to achieve a close, even shave, hoping for velvety-smooth skin, and what do you get? Razor bumps and irritation that have you questioning if it's even worth it. Why bother, right?

So, what’s the missing piece to your shaving routine? Post-shaving skincare that prevents the razor-induced aggravations.

Today, we’ll explain why these pesky post-shave issues arise and provide tips for getting the smooth, irritation-free results you crave. We’ll also recommend some skincare products to help you curate a healthy routine.

Decoding Post-Shave Skin Irritation

Shaving is supposed to be our gateway to silky-soft skin smoothness—what gives?

It may not be as cut and dry (pun intended) as you think. Post-shave irritation encompasses a range of skin issues that occur after shaving, each with its own triggers. 

To tailor a post-shaving skincare routine that tackles your unique frustrations, we have to understand why skin sensitivity intensifies after shaving. This means looking at each specific issue individually.

The most common post-shave skin issues are:

Razor Bumps (Ingrown Hairs)

Also known as pseudofolliculitis barbae or ingrown hairs, razor bumps are small, pimple-like bumps (resembling acne) that develop post-shave. They can also be itchy or painful.

Most common in those with curly or coarse hair, they occur when shaved hair starts growing back and curls back into the skin or becomes trapped beneath the surface (hence the name, ingrown hair). 

Razor Burn 

Razor burn looks like red, inflamed patches of skin irritation or a streaky red rash. It can be accompanied by pain or discomfort, itchiness, burning or stinging, and tenderness or swelling.

As for why it happens, razor burn results from the interaction between your razor blade, hair, and skin. 

When the blade glides over your skin, it can cause micro-abrasions (nearly-invisible injuries or scratches), dehydration, and inflammation. The result? Small fissures (tiny cracks) in the top layer of your skin.

Razor Rash

Ever wonder why your legs or bikini line itch after shaving? 

When you shave, the friction and pressure from the razor blade trigger irritation like razor bumps or razor burn. Alongside these visible issues, you might experience an uncomfortable itchiness, known as razor rash.

And if you have sensitive skin? Shaving can feel like an open invitation for flares that exacerbate these issues further. 

The good news? A carefully-curated skincare routine will help alleviate post-shave irritation, leaving your skin feeling utterly pampered. 

How to Elevate Your Post-Shaving Skincare Routine

Let's face it: there's no shortage of advice on getting a close, buttery-smooth shave. But there is one aspect of shaving that’s often overlooked: the post-shave routine. 

The truth is, neglecting post-shaving skincare can sabotage all your efforts. It's like leaving a masterpiece half-painted.

Our skin deserves our full attention and TLC from start to finish. 

Practicing a skincare routine after shaving will wrap your skin in a cocoon of nurturing care. The result? Radiant, healthy skin.

Ready to bid farewell to the frustrating aftermath of shaving? 

We’ve rounded up our favorite products and skincare ingredients for tackling irritation head-on and unlocking silky-smooth skin you’ll love to flaunt. 

Here’s our secret recipe for post-shaving skincare:

1. Moisturize

Daily moisturization is key in any skincare routine, but it’s especially important after shaving. 

Shaving can leave your skin feeling dry, tight, and uncomfortable for a few reasons:

• It strips away the natural oils that help keep your skin moisturized.

• The razor blade removes not only hair but also a thin layer of your skin's protective barrier, leading to even more moisture loss.

• It can cause micro-damage to the skin, resulting in inflammation and temporary disruption of your skin's hydration levels.

• Certain shaving products or techniques can further contribute to dryness and discomfort.

The only way to counteract these effects is to soothe your skin and restore balance with the right moisturizer.

Our go-to for replenishing moisture? Our DMAE Antioxidant Day Moisturizer is like hitting reset on your complexion. It features a harmonious blend of gentle, natural ingredients like aloe vera, chamomile, and witch hazel—soothing powerhouses that calm the skin, promote healing, and reduce skin irritation. 

Or better yet, opt for round-the-clock hydration with our Timeless Hydrating Set.

2. Protect

By now, we all know how important sun protection is for delaying aging and keeping skin healthy, but what does it have to do with shaving?

Exposure to the sun's harmful UV rays can exacerbate sensitive skin and inflammation. 

Wearing sunscreen helps create a barrier between your skin and the sun, shielding it from potential damage. In terms of post-shaving skincare, it helps prevent further redness or irritation in the shaved areas. 

Other skincare benefits of wearing SPF daily include promoting a balanced, youthful appearance, supporting barrier function, and preventing moisture loss.  

Our go-to for sun protection? Sunshout Sunscreen SPF 50 is the perfect post-shave SPF staple. Enriched with skincare ingredients like coconut oil and thyme leaf extract, it nourishes and calms post-shave irritation, while providing powerful broad-spectrum UV defense.

3. Take a break

Giving your skin a breather after shaving is a must for keeping post-shave irritation at bay. 

Take a day or two off from shaving, so your skin can recover and regain balance. But this break doesn't mean neglecting skincare—on the contrary, it's the perfect opportunity to focus on other aspects of your routine.

Remember, the goal is to give your sensitive skin a break from the repetitive trauma of shaving. Use these "rest days" to pamper your skin with hydrating masks, rejuvenating exfoliation, or nourishing serums and extra moisturizing skincare products. 

Our go-to for no-shave rest days? A gentle exfoliant that preps your skin for future shaves, like our Exfoliating Enzyme Scrub. This helps remove dead skin cells, prevents ingrown hairs, and promotes a smoother shaving experience without over-stripping your skin like harsher exfoliants tend to.

Bonus Shaving Tips

Life’s busy, we get it. But skimping on post-shaving skincare—or worse, using improper shaving techniques—can compound the irritation.

Here are a few bonus tips for keeping skin healthy and happy when shaving:

• Nix the old razors – The blades in old razors can be dull, leading to increased friction and dragging. They can also accumulate bacteria. It’s good practice to replace your razors regularly and always keep them clean.

• Never dry shave – It’s tempting to take a razor to dry skin when you’re in a pinch, but dry shaving causes irritation and nicks or cuts due to lack of lubrication. 

• Take time to prep – By properly preparing your skin with appropriate shaving products, you’ll achieve a much smoother, enjoyable shaving experience while minimizing skin irritation.

• Go with the grain – Shave in the direction of your hair growth to reduce razor tugging or pulling of the hair. Going against hair growth increases your risk of ingrown hairs, razor burn, and redness.
• Avoid alcohol-based products post-shave – Alcohol can be extremely drying and irritating to the skin, which is already sensitized after shaving. Instead, opt for alcohol-free aftershave products that are gentle and soothing.

• Try alternative hair removal methods – If your skin is prone to irritation or you shave more frequently, try waxing or laser treatment to maintain healthy, irritation-free skin. 
  

Discover Post-Shaving Bliss with MD GLAM

The insecurity that comes with visible post-shave irritation is all too familiar. But hiding razor bumps under jeans on summer nights or covering up ingrown hairs with long sleeves shouldn't be the norm. 

Simple yet effective post-shaving skin care techniques may be the key to shedding your insecurities and unlocking a glowing complexion you flaunt confidently.

It’s time to flip the script on post-shave skin irritation and unveil results you’re proud to show off. Try medical-grade, soothing skincare from MD GLAM today.