Shaving is one of the easiest ways to get rid of unwanted body hair, but the razor burn accompanying is something we all want to avoid.
A women’s health specialist on TikTok takes us through different ways to treat the unpleasant feeling after shaving and what you can do to avoid it in the first place.
Best ways to treat razor burn
Dr. Simi Adedeji explains that razor burn is often caused when you dry shave, use a blunt razor, or shave in the direction opposite to the grains.
This may turn your skin red, itchy, and bumpy which not only looks nasty but also causes pain and discomfort. If you experience a razor burn, follow the below methods to treat it.
- Calm the redness by applying aloe vera gel that’s been sitting in the refrigerator beforehand and spot-treat the affected area using hydrocortisone cream.
- The doctor recommends using antihistamines to soothe the itch and treat the rash and hives caused by excess histamine released by the body.
Fragrance-free body lotions are recommended for itchy rashes; according to Dr. Simi Adedeji, the E45 itch relief cream, the CeraVe itch relief moisturizing cream, and body ointment spray are among the best options.
Ingrown hair is an added issue
Poor shaving habits are also the leading cause of ingrown hair, which isn’t a serious condition in itself, but can result in other skin problems when left untreated.
Ingrown hair can cause bacterial folliculitis – an infection of the hair follicle that leads to a red rash and pus if it progresses.
If you’ve noticed dark patches around the ingrown hair you may suffer from hyperpigmentation, caused when extra pigment is released in reaction to the ruptured skin as the hair grows inwards.
Inflammation from ingrown hair also causes firm bumps called papules, which can be irritating and painful.
Dr. Simi Adedeji is a graduate of the Imperial College London with two years of surgical training from Kent, Surrey, and Sussex (KSS) Deanery. She went on to do her higher training at the East of England Deanery.
She currently works as a GP Partner and Digital Health Content Creator after finishing her surgical training. With a special interest in Women and Skin Health, she boasts millions of followers across social media.
