A variety of skin conditions can develop on a person’s legs. You may have to treat pimples to keep your legs nice and smooth or deal with varicose veins forming. Or if you like to shave your legs, then you have to watch out for razor burn. 

Unlike other medical conditions that can come from a litany of sources, razor burn is the result of improperly shaving. While it doesn’t lead to any long-term health effects, it can cause tenderness and itchiness. It’s not what you want to have when you want to look and feel your best. So follow our guide for preventing and getting rid of razor burn. 

What is Razor Burn? 

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Razor burn refers to discomfort you experience after shaving a given part of the body. It will almost look as though you have a rash in the area you just shaved. While it can be mistaken for a rosacea skincare problem, you know if it’s razor burn based on the following symptoms. 

• Small red bumps
• Itchiness
• Hot or burning sensation
• Tenderness

Razor burn affects anywhere you commonly shave. It’s more likely to occur on the face, underarms, bikini area, and legs. Fortunately, this condition is temporary, and it naturally goes away on its own. However, it can be uncomfortable for the time being, which is why a lot of people go to great lengths to prevent it from happening in the first place.

What Does Razor Burn Look Like? 

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Razor burn typically appears as a red rash. This rash is often accompanied by red bumps that feel hot. They’ll also be tender to the touch, so any clothing you put over the affected area may irritate it. 

It’s common for people to shave multiple parts of their body at the same time. However, razor burn may only appear in one given spot. You may have shaved your face, underarms, and legs, but you only have razor burn on your legs. This is common and doesn’t mean you have a different skin condition. 

What Causes Razor Burn on the Legs?

Ultimately, razor burn comes from something in the shaving process irritating your skin. It can occur as a result of not having the proper lubricant, such as shaving cream, present as you shave. You may also be using a particular kind of shaving cream that irritates your skin. In this instance, it’s important to look at the ingredients to ensure there is nothing in there you’re allergic to. But there are other common explanations to bear in mind if you frequently find yourself breaking out in rashes on your legs. 

Shaving Against the Grain

When you shave, it’s critical to go with the grain. A lot of people like shaving against the grain because they’re able to get closer to the skin. However, this also increases your risk of getting razor burn and other irritations. The problem with going against the grain is that the blade tugs on your hairs before cutting them. Not only does this increase your chances of irritation, but you’re also more likely to develop ingrown hair as part of the process. 

Dull Razors

You also want to make sure you shave with a clean, reliable razor. It’s recommended to swap out your blade every 5 to 10 shaves. Over time, razors get clogged with hair and soap, and they aren’t as useful by a certain point. You also don’t want to shave too quickly to the point where you could accidentally cut yourself or damage your skin. 

How Do You Get Rid of Razor Burn on the Legs?

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There are various ways to treat razor burn. Treatment isn’t necessary to prevent additional health problems. But if you really want to show off your legs soon, then you may want to try the following to see how they can assist you. 

Moisturize Your Legs

Every time after you shave, you should pat your legs dry using a towel. Afterward, apply a moisturizer that works well with your skin type. Ideally, you want a moisturizer that’s alcohol-free. Look for products with shea butter or aloe vera to help hydrate and smooth your skin. 

Use a Concealer

You can lightly coat the razor burn area with a concealer tool to quickly hide any blemishes. Use a product that matches your natural skin tone. And if you want extra benefits, then apply a tinted moisturizer that also hides any redness while hydrating your skin. 

Give it Time

Razor burn will go away on its own. For the time being, you should avoid shaving in the affected area to prevent it from getting worse. If you shave every day, then you may want to cut back to once or twice a week. 

Get Rid of Ingrown Hairs

Ingrown hair can sometimes lead to razor burn. These are hair that grow out and then curl back into the skin. This results in inflammation as well as itchy bumps. To avoid this, you should exfoliate your skin before shaving. This helps remove dead skin cells and prevent ingrown hairs from forming in the first place.

Apply a Cold Compress

You may enjoy the sensation of hot water on your skin while shaving. But afterward, you want to wet a cloth with cold water. Apply it to the recently shaved area for a few minutes. This helps immediately soothe skin and reduce redness. 

How Long Does Razor Burn on Legs Last? 

Razor burn often goes away overnight. Occasionally, it lasts for two or three days. While that’s not a long time, it’s bad if you have a hot date or want to go to the beach to show off your legs that day. In that instance, it pays off to know a few tricks to reduce redness and tenderness so that you can go about your day in comfort. 

Final Thoughts

Razor burn is not a particularly serious skin problem. However, it can be annoying in the short-term. If your rash lasts longer than a few days, then make sure you speak with a doctor. It’s possible a different skin condition has developed. Lastly, always be aware of how you’re shaving so that you can always look and feel your best.