We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
WiseGeek
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

How do I Treat Razor Burn on Legs?

Diane Goettel
By
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 24,852
Share

There are a number of ways to treat razor burn on your legs, some of which treat the skin irritation after it has occurred and some that help to prevent it. It is important to remember that razor burn is essentially a kind of rash that appears as a result of removing a top layer of the skin and causing the area to become chafed. To treat this, you can use a skin care product that includes hydrocortisone or make sure to moisturize the legs directly after shaving. Preventative treatments for razor burn on legs include using new razors with each shave, shaving at the end of a shower or bath, using a shaving cream that is formulated for sensitive or dry skin, or avoiding shaving altogether by switching to a waxing regimen. Another preventative method is to use an electric razor.

Using a topical treatment, such as lotion with or without hydrocortisone, helps to soothe the skin, replenish moisture that was stripped from it during the shaving process, and reduce the appearance and sensation of razor burn. Hydrocortisone can help to reduce the redness of razor burn and also reduce the stinging sensation that is associated with the condition. In most cases, a topical solution containing just 1% hydrocortisone will do the trick. Those who prefer to use lotion without this ingredient should look for a lotion that includes aloe or chamomile, which can offer extra soothing benefits.

One of the main reasons that people experience razor burn on the legs has to do with the type of the razor that they use. If the razor has been used multiple times already, it may be quite dull, which can worsen razor burn. Be sure to use a fresh razor every time. You may also want to try a few different brands and see if one seems to yield less discomfort than the other.

Shaving after allowing the skin to become soft and hydrated in the bath or shower will also reduce razor burn. This means that shaving at the end of the shower or bath can help to reduce the problem. You may also want to use a shaving cream or shaving oil instead of soap. These sorts of products will do a better job of lubricating the skin prior to shaving, which will help to reduce damage to the skin on the legs.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Diane Goettel
By Diane Goettel
"Diane Goettel has a BA from Sarah Lawrence College and an MA in English from Brooklyn College. Diane lives in Mount Vernon, New York with her husband, Noah. They are the proud parents of a Doberman Pinscher named Spoon. Specialties: book editing, book marketing, book publishing, freelance writing, magazine publishing, magazine writing, copywriting,"
See our Editorial Process Share Feedback

Editors' Picks

Related Articles

Discussion Comments
By anon924236 — On Jan 03, 2014

I started making my own shaving cream which helped a lot. I used an aloe vera based body lotion, coconut oil and homemade oat milk. It's great! The oat milk can make a bit of a smell after a few days but I don't mind that so much. I'm also wondering about oat oil, rose oil, shea butter and honey as it's anti-bacterial. I guess I'll just keep experimenting!!

Never heard of using a hydrocortizone cream but will definitely give it a try.

By burcinc — On Apr 19, 2013

My sister suffers from razor burns all the time and the worst part is that she never lets them heal. She will go back to shaving right away.

A razor burn needs at least four or five days to heal and no one should try to shave until the redness, irritation and bumps are gone. An all natural moisturizer with beeswax, coconut oil or cocoa butter should be used daily to moisturize skin.

I think the only reason I rarely get razor burn, razor bumps or ingrown hairs is because I moisturize my skin constantly and I do so with natural oils. I think razor burn becomes more likely when the skin is dry and when hair is coarse.

By bear78 — On Apr 18, 2013

@fBoyle-- I think you might be pressing too hard while you're shaving. You should be very gentle when using a new razor.

Also, stick with razors with a single blade. Especially the three blade razors tend to cause razor burn because they remove a lot of skin along with the hair.

I only use a single blade razor and I only shave with a moisturizing shaving cream. I never get razor burn.

By fBoyle — On Apr 18, 2013

I'm surprised to hear that people get razor burn with a dull blade. It seems to be exactly the opposite with me. When I use a new razor, I get painful razor burn and bumps. But after using a razor two or three times, it doesn't give me razor burn anymore. Why is that?

Hot Topics
WiseGeek,
in your inbox
Our latest articles, guides,
and more, delivered daily.
Follow us:
Diane Goettel
Diane Goettel
"Diane Goettel has a BA from Sarah Lawrence College and an MA in English from Brooklyn College. Diane lives in Mount...
Learn more
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/how-do-i-treat-razor-burn-on-legs.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.