Razor burn refers to redness and irritation of the skin. It is often caused by incorrect shaving techniques. It can occur where shaving is done on the body.
What is razor burn?
Razor burn is a common phenomenon. Medically, it is called pseudofolliculitis barbae. It can occur in both men and women. All areas of the body where shaving is performed can be affected. Razor burn involves irritation of the skin. They can be caused by redness of the skin as well as irritation on the skin surface. Razor burn can occur in the short term as well as in the long term. Depending on the cause and measures taken, the duration as well as intensity varies. It is a skin change that is accompanied by pimples or itching. In particularly severe cases, an unpleasant burning sensation sets in. Razor burn is neither genetic nor transmissible. There are no impairments in everyday life. In most cases, the psychological complaints are more intense than the physical ones. People with naturally curly and strong hair are often more affected. In case of razor burn, ingrown hairs as well as inflammation of the hair follicles may occur.
Causes
Razor burn occurs only in connection with performed shaves. The cause is based on the hair that is separated near the hair root during shaving. It can occur during dry shaves as well as wet shaves. However, it is more likely to occur after a wet shave. Due to modern razors, the hair is slightly lifted by the blades during shaving. It is then cut off and the rest of the hair slides back under the surface of the skin. If the hair curves, it can no longer grow straight out of the pore. The skin pore closes and the hair has to look for another hair growth channel. The same problem arises when the hair changes the direction of growth without prior elevation during shaving. Hair curvature occurs more often in people with naturally curly as well as strong hair. As a result, the hair continues to grow under the skin and looks for a new hair growth channel. Inflammation of the hair follicle occurs and pus is formed. Another common cause is a change in shaving behavior. The hair retains a direction of growth. However, if the shaving behavior changes, for example, from down to up to up to down, the position of the hair follicle automatically changes during shaving.
Diseases with this symptom
- Hair follicle inflammation
- Hair follicle inflammation
- Bacterial infection
Symptoms, complaints and signs
Diagnosis is made after visual contact and a brief history. No other examination methods are required. In case of long-lasting complaints or as soon as the razor burn is recurrent, a dermatologist should be consulted. The skin redness and inflammation are classified according to their severity in order to take appropriate measures. Razor burn is divided into short-term and acute or long-term. Accordingly, selection of treatment methods takes place. In addition to shaving behavior, the use of skin care products is checked for compatibility. The course of the disease can range from an increase in discomfort to spontaneous healing in the affected areas of the body with repeated shaving. Usually the burning sensation disappears after a few minutes or hours. The redness of the skin is minimized after a few days. The inflammation also heals in most cases after a few days, as long as no further contamination is added. If no new shaving is done, the course of the disease is remittent.
Complications
Away from the expected skin irritation, razor burn can bring further complications. Possible discomfort can occur if the already irritated skin is treated with an alcohol-based aftershave or a care product with perfume. Then the itching often intensifies and there is additional burning pain on the skin. In addition, pathogens can enter the immune system more easily through the tiny skin lesions and lead to various complications. A possible complication can also be secondary infections, which in rare cases spread to the entire body and sometimes lead to itching and subsequently to a strong feeling of discomfort.The skin irritation can also lead to the formation of pimples and aggravate existing acne. More rarely, pustules and papules develop after razor burn, or ingrown hairs and other complications occur. A severe course can also lead to the formation of scars and permanent skin changes. Treatment of razor burn is usually free of complications. However, creams and ointments designed to relieve itching can cause allergies and further irritation, especially if used improperly.
When should you go to the doctor?
Razor burn does not usually need to be treated by a doctor. However, if the discomfort persists longer than usual or recurs repeatedly, a visit to the family doctor is recommended. It is possible that the complaints are based on an allergy or intolerance, which can usually be treated with simple measures. Acute help is necessary if severe infections or burn blisters occur as a result of shaving. Rarely, a secondary infection can also develop, causing severe discomfort and sometimes reddening of the skin and itching. Anyone who feels unwell after a razor burn or observes further symptoms should therefore consult a doctor promptly. This is especially true if the known home remedies and cooling the affected area do not promise relief. In the case of acute razor burn, preventive measures should first be taken. If, despite appropriate precautions, the typical burning sensation reappears, medical advice should be sought for further clarification. Patients with a skin or immune disorder should always have complaints after shaving clarified.
Treatment and therapy
Treatment of shaving burn can be done in the first steps with home remedies. The affected areas are cooled to close the pores. This can be done with compresses or ice cubes. It is recommended to apply care products with a soothing effect on the affected areas of the skin. They include creams, chamomile, baby powder or honey. This will soothe the irritation of the stressed skin and reduce the discomfort. Wound and healing ointments can be applied overnight. Calendula tea, tea tree oil or St. John’s wort can also be used. The skin needs sufficient rest in case of razor burn and should be spared. In case of acute razor burn, stop shaving. Only when the skin has recovered after a few minutes or hours, a new attempt is recommended. If the razor burn persists despite sufficient preventive measures and the above-mentioned options, a family doctor should be consulted. Inflammation can then be additionally treated with medication. In the further course, the technique of shaving should be checked. During shaving, the pressure on the blades should be reduced. It is also advisable to shave only small areas in one go. A relaxed atmosphere is helpful. The direction of shaving should be maintained with each attempt. Changing razors or switching between wet and dry shaves can be tried. If the hand is unsteady, it is advisable to have another person do the shaving. Care products should be coordinated with the respective skin type and sufficient hygiene measures should be taken.
Outlook and prognosis
There is no need to see a doctor for razor burn. This symptom is not an injury that requires urgent treatment. Most often, razor burn heals after a few hours or, in the worst case, after a few days. However, it is never so severe that a doctor must be visited to treat razor burn. Most often, razor burn causes pain and tension on the skin. A burning sensation develops and some areas on the face may bleed. This bleeding is not bad and usually stops after a few minutes. A tissue can be used to stop the bleeding more quickly. After razor burn, smaller pimples may form on the face in the areas where the skin was cut too deeply. These pimples and other blemishes also heal relatively quickly and do not leave scars. To avoid razor burn, shaving cream should always be used. Alternatively, the use of an electric razor is recommended. Thus, treatment is not necessary. The symptom heals by itself and therefore leads to a positive course of the disease.
Prevention
As a preventive measure, skin cleansing can be done before shaving. Exfoliation opens the pores. Regular shaving reduces the sensitivity of the skin surface. The blades of the razor should be checked for cleanliness before shaving. Likewise, a clean and unused towel is helpful after shaving and can be positioned ready to hand in advance. In advance, it is recommended to provide care products that are free of alcohol and minimize irritation symptoms.
What you can do yourself
In the case of razor burn, no special medical treatment is usually necessary. To avoid razor burn itself, the affected person should definitely use a cream or shaving cream when shaving. This can prevent painful cuts in the skin. If the razor burn occurs even with the care product should minimize the number of blades on the razor. Often modern razors have four or five blades. For most skin types, razors with two or at most three blades are suitable. Likewise, it is possible to shave with an electric razor, this can in some cases prevent razor burn from occurring in the first place. If razor burn has occurred, the skin in the affected areas must be particularly protected and cared for. Here, greasy care products that moisturize the skin are suitable. In many care products can be found for this reason aloe vera, it soothes the skin and has cooling properties. To prevent pimples or other skin impurities from appearing on the affected areas, the area can be treated with aftershave or aftershave. Small bleeding areas must be washed off with water and disinfected in the same way. Razor burn can be avoided as well if warm or hot water is used for shaving. Shaving should always be done in the direction of growth. Instead of a conventional razor, a special plane can also be used to prevent razor burn.
