There's nothing quite as frustrating as cleaning up with a close shave, only to suffer from razor burn--common skin irritation that occurs after shaving. But, there are ways to combat this unsightly and uncomfortable condition. By following the steps below, you can minimize the effects of razor burn and shaving-related skin irritation.


Steps

1. Before shaving, gently scrub your face with a loofah or facial scrub lotion. This scrub helps remove dead skin and bring out ingrown hairs and reduces razor burn rashes.
2. Shave after taking a shower or after washing your face in warm water. Warm water and steam help soften skin and facial hair. Wait about 20 minutes after getting up before shaving, as this will allow bodily fluids that have welled in your face during the night to disperse. Also, it's a good idea to shave after exercising rather than before so that the sweat doesn't irritate the freshly-shaved skin.
3. Use new, sharp razor blades, and be sure to discard them before they become blunt. If using an electric shaver, be sure to clean the blades regularly and to keep them free of hairs. Wet the skin and lather the entire area to be shaved with a quality shaving cream or gel. Make sure you've let the cream or gel sit on the skin for a few minutes before shaving; this will increase the softness of the facial hair and will reduce the skin irritation. It's important to use a cream or gel specifically designed for shaving, as ordinary soap will dry out skin and increase the likelihood of irritation.
4. Shaving Shave with the grain of the hair in short, deliberate strokes. Shaving against the grain increases the odds of ingrown hairs, irritation, and inflamed skin. Long strokes often cause one to press down too hard on the skin, increasing razor contact and making razor burn more likely.
5. Rinse the blade after each stroke. If the razor is full of whiskers, it won’t get a close shave, and irritation will be more likely.
6. Rinse your blade under hot water before you begin to shave and after every few swipes. This removes the accumulated shaving cream, whiskers, and skin goop. For a really close shave, remoisten the section you just shaved, by spreading a thin layer of lather from another area of your face, and then swiping that area again. Keep everything moist. (Note: The use of hot water here is to help lubricate, has nothing to do with "killing bacteria.") Just don't burn yourself!
7. Wash your face well in cold water after you've completed shaving to remove all traces of shaving cream or foam. This helps close pores and lessen skin irritation.
8. Apply a facial moisturizer or aftershave lotion to help keep the skin soft and reduce the presence of razor burn. Various skin types respond differently to the plethora of gels, lotions, ointments, balms, and aftershave treatments available. Research the different aftershave applications to find the alternative that best matches your skin type. Aloe Vera with or without a moisturizer really seems to work well for many people.

Tips

• Razor burn can be easily prevented if the very last strokes on your face with the razor are with the grain, not against it. In other words, you can shave as instructed above AND in any direction to get a close shave, but be sure that the very last strokes on your face are with the grain of your beard (typically a top-to-bottom stroke). Reason: The strokes of the razor blade actually changes the way your pores will grow the new hair. As such, you want to be sure to "reset" the grain of your beard by ensuring the last strokes are with the grain, or top to bottom. Works like a charm.
• If razor burn persists when using a manual razor, consider getting an electric shaver with a built-in gel dispenser. The gel helps lubricate your face while shaving and can reduce friction, thus reducing the chance of razor burn.
• Although disposable razors and razor refills can be expensive, the price of using old, dull, or nicked razors is razor burn. Use a clean, sharp razor each time you shave. In this case buying the most expensive razor is not always the best idea. Usually problems occur because the razor is used too many times. Try to purchase razors that you are comfortable with throwing away after only a few uses.
• Blades last much longer than most people think. The apparent dulling of the blade is due to the formation of microscopic "teeth" on the edge, made up of mineral crystals from the water. These drag against the skin, causing the blade to grab, and producing cuts and much of the razor burn. You can avoid this by (a) always rinsing the blade in cold water, never hot, and (b) dipping it in rubbing alcohol after the final rinse. The alcohol will displace the water and the minerals in it, and evaporate without leaving residue. Store the razor with the blade edges upward.
• Avoid passing your razor over the same area of your face numerous times. Even though you desire the closest shave and smoothest face, each pass of the razor removes (and therefore irritates) small layers of skin.
• If razor burn appears after shaving, apply an aloe vera-based cortisone cream, a soothing aftershave, or another hydrating application to soothe the skin and reduce redness.
• Try using a moisturizing cream instead of a lathering soap or foam. This works very well for older men, but may not suit teenagers with oily skin.
• For extremely sensitive skin, use ingrown hair treatment or a similar product to treat or prevent ingrown hairs when shaving and to eliminate the effects of razor burn.
• A wet razor leads to a dull razor. Use alcohol to displace the water. If you cannot, shake the razor dry and quickly finish the drying by passing the blade over a towel in the direction opposite to the edge (push, instead of pulling).
• Unless you want to go through life with a big old Jeremiah Johnson beard, taking proper care of your face when shaving will help reduce razor burn and will help keep your skin looking and feeling healthy
• Storing your razor in a container of alcohol when it is not in use will help lengthen the life of your blade by keeping it sharper and hence less likely to irritate your skin. This could dissolve some lubricating strips.
• Using a shaving oil can sometimes produce better results than using a cream or gel. Also, you can see where you're shaving.
• Some might disagree, but after using an electric razor it helps to take a towel and put a splash of rubbing alcohol on it and wipe down your freshly shaved areas. Although it burns at first, it will make your face cleaner and more comfortable. This is a good alternative to smelly aftershave which contains mostly alcohol anyway.
• Before lathering up with shaving cream, an option is to lather up with soap (Dove works great as it is 1/4 moisturizing cream-and though normally marketed to women, it's your bathroom and no one has to know). Lather up with shaving cream after the soap - it creates a nice lubrication layer beneath the shaving cream.
• Shaving in the shower helps to reduce razor burn. You can buy fogless mirrors at most department stores.
• If you have slow hair growth, you may be able to eliminate razor bumps altogether by shaving every other day.
• Using a cortisone cream will also remove existing razor burn, to allow a more comfortable shave the next time around.
• Many men of African descent and others with pigmented skin are more prone to shaving bumps due to the higher melanin content in their skin. Shaving bumps are primarily caused by the trauma from shaving and in pigmented skin the problem is compounded by the release of secondary inflammatory mediators during melanogenesis [formation of more melanin induced by the trauma from shaving]. Tweezing is discouraged as it caused localized skin damage and hyper pigmentation. A good anti inflammatory product should be used to heal the inflamed skin. Any hairs trapped by the bumps are freed and can be shaved off as desired.
• The best blade for shavers prone to shaving bumps are the the multi-blade powered razors. After every shave, a good alcohol-free or low alcohol post shave/aftershave balm/lotion should be applied to soothe and condition the freshly shaved skin.
• If your face is especially sensitive, applying an ointment or cream such as Polysporin in a thin layer after shaving may reduce the appearance of razor burn.
• Avoid dry shaving, it can cause both razor burn and bumps to form on your skin.
• For sensitive skin, consider shaving with a moisteriser or sorbelen cream. It helps lubricate as well as protect the skin during the shaving process and is less likely to cause irritation due to the absense of certain products.
• After shaving I use an alum block which closes pores and takes care of nicks. It also seems to help with the bumps, too. L'Oreal has a line of men's skin care called ADS (Active Defense System) which helps with razor bumps. Tend Skin, as previously mentioned, does a great job, too.
• Use two separate razors to shave -- the multi-blade one (Mach 3, etc.) for cheeks/chin and a cheap SINGLE-blade razor by Bic for your neck.

Warnings

• Be careful when working with the blades. Don't test the sharpness with your fingertips. If you do get cut, make sure you clean and treat the wound appropriately. If it becomes infected, you may experience problems in the future, such as scarring.
• Don't share razors.
• Don't use a bent or rusted razor.