Ever shaved your legs or bikini area only to be plagued with red, burning bumps that itch and hurt like heck? That pain you’re experiencing is caused by the notorious razor burn. Shaving is the fastest (and cheapest) way to remove hair on your legs, and it’s also a lot less painful than waxing– unless you suffer from recurring razor burn on your legs.
Even if you’ve been an expert shaver since middle school, you can still struggle with ingrown hairs and razor bumps on your legs. Razor burn doesn’t have to be another pain we live with as women; we can help relieve the discomfort and even prevent it from happening in the first place.
Keep reading to learn about all things razor burn and why it doesn’t have to ruin your day.
What Causes Razor Burn On Legs?
Most razor burn on legs is caused by shaving with a razor that’s too dull or from ingrown hairs
(hair that grows out and then back into the skin). It typically presents as a painful, sometimes itchy rash with red bumps that show up quickly after shaving.
How To Treat Razor Burn On Legs?
Some people will regularly get razor burn on their legs through no fault of their own. Curly or thick-haired guys and gals are more likely to experience ingrown hairs because the hair likes to curl back into its roots. There are easy treatments you can do at home to help relieve some of the annoyance caused by razor bumps on your legs.
Use Ice or a Cold Compress
Ice, ice baby! Get yourself a cold compress for immediate relief from the burning caused by razor bumps. Simply wet a washcloth with cold water and stick it in the freezer for a few minutes to get it almost frozen.
Then, hold the washcloth onto the affected area for a nice reprieve from the stinging. Keep the washcloth on for several minutes until it’s not icy cold, and then repeat the process as often as needed.
Take a Break From Shaving
If you feel the need to shave every day, you may be putting unnecessary stress on your skin. Shaving every other day can help get a little length to your stubble, making it easier for your razor to do its job and not cause the dreaded razor burn. At the very least, avoid shaving any razor-burned areas until your skin has had time to heal.
Use a Moisturizer
When you’re suffering from razor burn on your legs, you need to keep your legs moisturized without overdoing it. Skip the fancy lotions with all the fragrances and stick with a natural, higher-quality moisturizer free of added junk. Perfume, chemicals, and other added synthetic ingredients can cause further irritation to your already distressed skin. If your legs are itchy, you can opt for hydrocortisone cream. Otherwise, apply a thick lotion to the razor bumps on your legs and leave them alone! Give your legs a break from any potential irritants like tight clothing, shimmery lotion, or hair-removing creams.
Treat Any Ingrown Hairs
Sometimes, razor burn on legs can be caused by ingrown hairs. Ingrown hairs are follicles that grow up and curl back into the skin, causing painful, pimple-like red bumps. If you think ingrown hairs are the culprit of your razor bumps, you can take care of the problem with a few simple steps. First, apply a warm compress on the area with the bumps for 10-15 minutes to open up the pores and make dislodging the hair more manageable. Then, apply a gentle exfoliation serum containing lactic or glycolic acid to help dissolve the clogged hair follicle.
Do NOT attempt to pluck out ingrown hairs with tweezers or other tools, no matter how many times you’ve seen it done on Tik Tok. It’s dangerous and can cause major damage or infection.
FYI- If you’re experiencing painful, red bumps that aren’t responding to home remedies, you may have an infection that needs a doctor’s attention.
How To Prevent Razor Burn On Legs?
Now that you know what causes razor burn on legs and how to treat it, let’s talk about how to prevent it from occurring in the first place. Here are a few tried and true ways to keep razor burn at bay:
Exfoliate Your Skin Regularly
By regularly exfoliating your skin, you help prevent ingrown hairs, which are a leading cause of razor burn. Exfoliation helps remove dead skin cells and release any ingrown hairs trying to embed themselves into the skin. For smoother skin, try our triple-action Pink Clay Flash Perfection Exfoliator.
Replace Your Razor Frequently
A dull razor is a popular culprit behind razor bumps on legs and other body parts. If you have to push down hard to get a smooth shave, you’re asking for ingrown hairs and razor burn. Instead, change your razor every 1-2 weeks, and stick with razors with at least three blades.
Make Sure You're Using a Moisturizing Shaving Cream
Never shave your legs when they’re dry. Ever. It’s terrible for your skin and almost guarantees a razor burn. Always make sure your legs are wet and slathered with a good shaving cream (or hair conditioner works, too!) before you start shaving.
Shave Regularly
Regular shaving reduces the chances of ingrown hairs or razor burn on legs and your bikini area. It’s particularly important to shave on a consistent schedule if you have coarse, curly hair, which is more prone to ingrown hair issues.
The bottom line
Razor bumps on legs aren’t sexy, we know. The last thing we want to deal with, particularly during the warmer months, are red, blotchy legs that hurt when you walk outside.
Don’t worry; razor burn usually clears up within a couple of days when you take care of your skin and follow the treatment and prevention tips mentioned above.
For more tips and tricks to keep your skin happy, check out more featured articles on our blog.
