Razor burn is a common side effect of shaving and often occurs on the most sensitive parts of your skin, namely your neck and back of your head. Some men are more likely to experience razor burn than others. Razor burns can also be exacerbated by shaving habits and in particular your choice of razor products and how frequently you replace them.
Razor burn may be reduced with more frequent replacement of razor blades as dull blades don’t cut whiskers as effectively. As a result, men often overcompensate by pressing down harder on the razor. This leads to more cuts and more skin irritation and potentially ingrown hairs. You then run the risk of reopening a cut and not allowing it to heal properly the next time you shave. If don’t shave for a day or two to allow your skin to heal and then use the exact same razor the next time you shave, you’re shaving a thicker beard. You will have more of the same results and perhaps cut and irritate your skin worse as the blunted razor struggles to cut the longer whiskers.
Razor Blade Replacement Frequency
It’s difficult to put a time limit on razor blades in terms of replacement ie. replace your blades every 1 -2 weeks. How frequently you shave, the amount and coarseness of your hair, your shaving style and what you’re actually shaving (your scalp, your entire face, part of your face) matters. It also depends on what brand and model of shaver you’re using as some razor blades are higher quality and may last longer than others. Instead, consider the number of times you shave as your yardstick along with the other criteria mentioned above.
Replace your razor blades after 5 shaves and if you find that you’re not getting razor burn, try to use them for one or two additional shaves the next time and so on until you notice the blade has reached its limit. A reasonable razor blade should last at least 5 shaves give or take so if you’re still getting razor burn with this level of blade replacement, keep reading for some additional suggestions.
Reducing Razor Burn
If you suffer from razor burn or are more prone to it than you’d like, there are a few key changes you can make to reduce the chance you experience it after shaving.
Replace razor blades more frequently – How frequently are you replacing them now? Keep track of the number of times you shave before replacing your blades. If you’re keeping your blades for more than 7 shaves – so about one week – and you’re still getting razor burn, start replacing them more frequently. Again, focus more on the number of times you use your blades but given that you probably shave once per day, the time does obviously factor in too.
Change your razor blade brand – If you are using the cheapest brand available, try a better quality product. If you are using a multi-blade razor, consider dropping down to a double blade or even single blade if available. A decent quality twin blade razor works just fine for most guys. The more blades you have the more metal you have scraping your skin. I’m loathe to recommend a DE razor given my own difficult experience with them and the fact that I actually got razor burn through using this sort of blade. And I don’t normally get razor burn when using cheap disposables! Having said that, double edge razors only have one blade and may offer an advantage(s) for you that I wasn’t able to experience.
Try a new shaving cream – I’ve tested a number of shaving cream products recently. I’d never used a shaving cream from a tube until this year but have been using them for several months now. Shaving cream from a tube tends to be less foamy but creamier that canned products that are under pressure. In my experience, tubed shaving cream goes on, well, like a cream. It actually sticks to your skin and can’t easily be wiped off like canned, foamy shaving cream. Your skin might appreciate this slickness and the fact that it better protects the skin than a canned product. You may find like I do that you have to rinse your face after shaving because shaving doesn’t actually remove the cream from your skin completely. This isn’t a bad thing and in fact gives an indication of how well it adheres to – and thus protects – your skin.
Conclusion
I’ve written more specifically on both Wilkinson and Palmolive tubed shaving cream products and given my honest experience on both. In conjunction with a new razor blade product and increased replacement, a tubed shaving cream may help to eliminate your razor burn.