Barbershop Blog

A BARBERS GUIDE TO AVOIDING SHAVING RASH

September 6, 2020

Almost every man who has ever put a razor to his face knows the burn of a shaving rash. Not only is the sensation extremely uncomfortable, but also unsightly with its small red bumps, redness, and swelling. Thankfully there are ways to mitigate the risk of shaving rash or avoiding it entirely, even if you’re using a razor.

Newcastle's best barbers provide a guide to avoiding shaving rash.

Today we take a look at some of these methods, so that you can improve your shaving habits and enjoy a rash free shave.

What can cause it?

Shaving rash (otherwise known as razor burn) is an effect of damaged skin and hair follicles. These parts become inflamed and are at great risk of infection.

More often than not, the cause of a shaving rash is a dull razor. An older or unsharpened razor can damage and tear at the skin. It can cause you to use more pressure when you’re shaving, scraping away the protective layer of your skin.

Even if your razor is new and perfectly sharp, though, it may be time to reexamine your shaving technique. You should never shave against the grain as the blade can tug the hair follicles into the wrong direction, causing painful damage. If your beard is longer, it maybe better to use a pair of electric clippers on the hair to shorten it first before using the blade.

It might also do well to examine your pre-shaving procedure. It is best to apply heat and moisture before applying shaving soap with a brush. This preparation will soften the whiskers and raise the hair follicles for a clean shave. Try to shave immediately after a hot shower without drying off your face. It should also go without saying that you should use a quality moisturiser as well as an aftershave afterwards.

What if that still doesn’t work?

If you still get the shaving rash despite doing all the right things, your skin may be trying to tell you that it needs a little bit of extra tender, loving care. If you shave regularly, it also makes your skin more sensitive, and as such, something must be done to accelerate its healing in time for your daily shave.

As a good rule of thumb, do not use the soap you use for your body on your face. The skin on your face is likely more sensitive than the rest of your body, and as such, requires a skin-friendly facial wash.

The golden rule of skincare is: moisturise, moisturise, moisturise and then moisturise. This is a must at least once a day and as part of your shaving routine. A high-quality moisturiser can promote healing of the skin and make it tighter and more resistant to shaving rash.

It might also be good to incorporate a weekly exfoliation in your routine just to scrub away all those dead skin cells, as these can build up and contribute to ingrown hairs and infections when you’re shaving.

Final thoughts

Just like how people can have bad hair days, bearers of the beard can have bad beard days too, and sometimes, this means shaving rash. Luckily, these tried and tested strategies from our team of master barbers exist to help keep your face (and the rest of your body) free from those unsightly and irritating rashes.

If you’re ready for the ultimately close, rash-free shave, then come in and see the team at Barber Industries Charlestown.

We offer traditional wet shaves with hot towels and strait razors, a shaving experience like none other.

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