How Long Does Razor Burn Last?

Razor burn can be an unfortunate side effect of your daily shave routine. The burning, itching and redness isn’t a good look on a guy, and can put a serious damper on your tidy, clean-shaven appearance.

If you have a big event coming up or just want the unpleasant symptoms to stop, you may be wondering how long your razor burn is going to last. Don’t worry—you don’t need to suffer from inflamed, itchy skin for long.

Here are three things you need to know about razor burn:

1. Razor burn, unlike razor bumps, typically do not have anything to do with genetics. In most cases, the shaving routine itself is to blame.
2. Razor burn lasts around two to three days.
3. With the right skin care treatment and a better shave routine, you can potentially speed up the healing time of your razor burn.

Why Do Some Guys Get Razor Burn?

You’ve probably wondered before why you struggle with razor burn, while your best friend manages to shave without redness or irritation. It’s not that he has amazing genetics or any special power—he probably just knows the secret to a great shave.

Check to see if you’re making any of these shaving mistakes, which more often than not lead to razor burn: 

• Using a dull razor blade
• Using a multi-blade razor
• Shaving before showering
• Not using a face scrub before shaving
• Shaving against the grain
• Forgetting to moisturize after shaving

Revamping your shave routine is the easiest way to prevent razor burn from happening again. Once you stop making these common shaving mistakes, you’ll likely see a huge difference in how your skin reacts to your razor blade.

If you’re still experiencing razor burn, it may just be that you have sensitive skin. In this case, consider talking with your dermatologist for advice on how to further improve your shave routine.

How Long Does Razor Burn Last?

The length of time it takes for your razor burn to heal depends on how you treat it. When left alone, a razor burn typically takes three days to completely heal. However, you can speed up your healing time with the following tips.

1. Stop Shaving Immediately

First, put down the razor blade and give your irritated skin time to heal. If you must shave for work, use an electric shaver.

Before you shave, gently exfoliate the skin with a men’s face scrub that’s formulated for sensitive skin. This will remove oil and dead skin cells that can clog your razor blade and cause red, irritated skin.

Exfoliating your skin before you shave will also help prevent razor bumps on your face, which occur when the hair curls back into the skin. Don’t forget to shave with the grain and follow up with a soothing moisturizer.

2. Get on a Regular Skin Care System

Using the right skin care routine can potentially help improve your healing time. Washing your face daily will help keep your razor burn from getting infected, while following up with a daily men’s moisturizer will lock in hydration and act as a barrier for the skin.

More importantly, you should know that getting on a daily skin care regimen can reduce post-shave irritation for the next time you pick up your razor. A 2017 study published in the journal Skinmed found that guys who used a twice-daily, three-step skin care system for men had an improved tolerance for shaving-related irritation (see claim: “Significant improvements were seen in the appearance of nicks/cuts and folliculitis of the face and neck after weeks 2 and 4 (P<.05).”)

3. Apply Aloe Vera

If you’ve ever been unfortunate enough to experience a nasty sunburn, you’re probably familiar with Aloe Vera. A common treatment for first- and second-degree burns, the wound healing properties in Aloe Vera make it an effect treatment for post-shave irritation as well.

According to a 2018 study published in the journal Wounds, Aloe Vera speeds up the healing process by boosting the body’s production of fibroblasts and keratinocytes, both of which play important roles in wound healing (see claim: “…results suggest A vera accelerates wound healing by promoting the proliferation and migration of fibroblasts and keratinocytes…”)

Apply Aloe Vera to your face before bedtime and allow it to soothe your razor-burned face overnight. Do this for three days until your razor burn clears up.

The Takeaway

Fortunately, razor burn doesn’t last too long. After a couple of days, you should notice a significant improvement in the redness and burning.

If you need to speed up the healing process for an event or a hot date, getting on a foolproof skin care system for men can do wonders for your skin. With a little TLC, your skin will be smooth and back to normal in no time.