How to Treat Razor Burn at Home

Swollen painful bumps that occur on your skin shortly after shaving are commonly called razor burn and are formally known as folliculitis. The bumps around the shaved area become infected when the hair is cut too close to the skin's surface causing it to grow inward rather than out. Alternately, razor burn may also be due to bacteria entering cut skin, which results in an infection that is itchy and sensitive to touch. While a dermatologist can help reduce razor burn with prescribed topical medication, there are also home treatments available to reduce the severity of the skin condition.

Things You'll Need

• Mild antibacterial soap
• Washcloth
• Warm compress
• Hydrocortisone cream
• Electric razor
• After-shave lotion

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Instructions

• 1

  Wash your face with warm water and a mild, antibacterial face soap. Soaps that contain benzoyl peroxide or chlorhexidine eliminate bacteria around the affected area. Use a washcloth soaked in warm water to rinse off the soap. Wash the razor burned area in the morning and evening to reduce the amount of bacteria on the skin.

• 2

  Wet a clean washcloth with warm water, and cover the irritated skin with the damp cloth compress. The heat from the washcloth relaxes the skin, which allows trapped ingrown hair to emerge. It may also help drain the area of pus that accumulates while infected.

• 3

  Cover the affected skin with a hydrocortisone cream. An over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream is available at your local pharmacy, and should always be applied with clean fingers to prevent the spread of bacteria. Follow the medication's instructions carefully to avoid further irritation.

• 4

  Abstain from shaving until the razor burn subsides. The growing out process can lead to unbearable itchiness, but going over the razor burn with a razor worsens the skin's condition. Use an electric razor as a safer alternative to manual razors. The electric razor won't cut as close to the skin as a manual razor. Cover the affected area with an after-shave lotion to kill bacteria after shaving.