How to Deal With Razor Burn on Your Legs

Razor burn in your legs is a type of irritant contact dermatitis, a style of dermatitis that happens when an irritant damages your skin, causing it to change into inflamed and painful. Friction, similar to that produced by shaving, is a reason behind irritant contact dermatitis.

Using certain products or changing your shaving techniques can assist treat and forestall razor burn in your legs. This article will take a look at symptoms, treatment, and prevention of razor burn, together with other hair removal methods.

What Does Razor Burn on the Legs Look Like?

Irritant contact dermatitis, similar to razor burn, may cause a rash and other symptoms that typically appear soon after coming into contact with the irritant. Symptoms include:

• Mild dryness
• Redness
• Itching
• Burning or stinging

Irritant contact dermatitis can have similar symptoms to other skin conditions, particularly allergic dermatitis, which is attributable to an allergic response to a substance.

How to Treat Razor Burn on Legs

Razor burn will normally go away by itself inside a few days. If razor burn is causing
you pain or discomfort, some at-home treatment options include:

• Cold compresses: Applying wet dressings can assist reduce inflammation and soothe the areas of the skin which might be painful and red.
• Oatmeal bath: Colloidal oatmeal is thought to have hydrating and anti inflammatory properties. Using a colloidal oatmeal preparation in a shower or applying a topical product to the skin can assist soothe dryness, irritation, and itch.
• Aloe: Aloe vera is a well-liked treatment for relieving burns. Aloe vera gel comprises compounds that
  help reduce pain and inflammation and assist skin repair.
• Coconut oil: Coconut oil is widely used as a moisturizing agent. Research has shown that coconut oil has anti-bacterial properties and might help with wound healing and skin barrier repair.
• Shea butter: Compounds in shea butter have been shown to have strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that may potentially help soothe irritated skin.

How to Prevent Razor Burn on Your Legs

Practicing good shaving hygiene can assist prevent razor burn in your legs. Tips include:

• Prep before shaving. Before shaving, apply shaving cream or gel and permit it to take a seat for 2 to 3 minutes to supply moisture and an additional layer of protection to your skin. Rinse the blade often when shaving to remove excess product and hair.
• Use proper shaving techniques. It’s best to shave your hair within the direction it grows. Shaving your hair in the other way increases the chance of irritation.
• Don’t dry shave your legs. You should shave your hair when it’s wet, either within the shower or
  bath or by applying a warm, damp washcloth to your legs first. Shaving your legs after they’re dry is more prone to cause irritation.
• Ditch dull razors. Using dull razors may cause abrasions on the skin and is the leading cause
  of razor burn. Using old razors also raises the chance of bacterial infections.
• Try a single-blade razor. Using a razor with multiple blades may provide a better shave and increase the chance of skin abrasion and irritation.
• Try a razor with a lubricating strip. Consider using a razor with a strip that lubricates the skin throughout the shaving process.

Other Tips to Soothe Razor Burn During the Healing Process

One of the very best ways to treat razor burn (and other causes of contact dermatitis) is by avoiding the irritant that caused your symptoms. If you’ve got razor burn in your legs, it is advisable to avoid shaving until your symptoms go away.

Choosing soaps and skincare products which might be fragrance-free and made without harsh chemicals may help soothe your skin and avoid irritation while healing. Try to wear loose-fitting clothing while your legs heal because tight clothes can create friction and cause razor burn to change into much more irritated and itchy.

Other Hair Removal Options

There are options besides shaving to remove hair in your legs. They include:

• Waxing temporarily removes hair using cold or warm wax applied to and pulled from the skin. Waxing removes your complete hair shaft and lasts from two to 3 weeks.
• Hair removal creamsor depilatoriesuse chemical agents to interrupt down bonds in hair’s keratin, which removes the hair on the skin level. Because these chemicals will be harsh to the skin, hair removal creams also often contain moisturizers, emollients, or other soothing agents.
• Laser hair removal uses energy from lasers to break the hair follicle and inhibit the hair from growing. Laser hair removal only affects hair follicles which might be actively growing, so it could take several treatments to noticeably reduce hair and maintenance treatments to stop hair from coming back.
• An epilator is a machine that uses rotating discs or coils to drag your complete hair out. It temporarily removes the hair shaft, follicle, and bulb.
• Electric shavers cut hair through the use of spinning blades which might be separated from the skin by foils with small holes. Although it’s commonly believed electric razors are less irritating to the skin than blade razors, there was very limited research on the subject.

Shaving Tips to Prevent Razor Burn on Your Legs

If you’re liable to razor burn in your legs, taking excellent care of your skin can assist prevent future episodes. Tips include:

• Choose gentle products without harsh chemicals or added fragrances.
• Rinse your legs with cold water after shaving to cut back inflammation.
• Use moisturizer often to maintain skin hydrated and smooth.

Summary

Though razor burn in your legs will be annoying, symptoms similar to redness, itching, and stinging normally go away on their very own inside a few days. There are easy, at-home treatments to aid you do away with razor burn and soothe your symptoms.

Gentle skincare practices may help prevent razor burn especially should you are liable to it. If razor burn continues to be an issue, seek the advice of a board-certified dermatologist for evaluation and treatment. You can use other methods to remove hair in your legs.