Razor burn vs ingrown hairs is an easy distinction once you know what to look for. Both follow hair removal, and both cause red, uncomfortable skin. Razor burn is irritation of the skin's surface, and it appears quickly. Ingrown hairs are hairs that have grown back into the skin, and they appear days later. The care for each is different.
What razor burn is
Razor burn is skin irritation caused by the blade scraping the surface.
- When: within minutes to hours of shaving.
- Looks like: a flat or slightly blotchy red rash across the shaved area.
- Feels like: burning, stinging, tenderness or itching.
- Lasts: a few hours to two or three days.
Common causes: a dull blade, dry shaving, too much pressure, going over the same patch repeatedly, shaving against the direction of growth, or applying a fragranced or alcohol-based product afterwards.
What ingrown hairs are
An ingrown hair is a hair that curls back or grows sideways into the skin instead of out of the follicle. The skin reacts as it would to a splinter.
- When: a few days after hair removal, as hair starts to regrow.
- Looks like: small, raised bumps, sometimes with a visible hair trapped under the skin, and sometimes with pus. On darker skin, the bumps may be dark, and they can leave dark marks.
- Feels like: tender, itchy or sore.
- Lasts: days to weeks.
When they follow shaving, these bumps are often called razor bumps. They are more common in people with coarse or tightly curled hair, and in areas such as the beard, neck, bikini line, underarms and legs.
Side-by-side comparison
| Razor burn | Ingrown hairs | |
|---|---|---|
| Timing | Minutes to hours after | Days after |
| Appearance | Diffuse redness, rash | Separate bumps, sometimes pus-filled |
| Cause | Irritation from the blade | Hair growing into the skin |
| Methods that cause it | Shaving | Shaving, waxing, epilating, plucking |
| Clears in | A few days | One to several weeks |
| Marks afterwards | Rare | Possible dark marks or scars if picked |
Caring for razor burn
- Rinse with cool water, or apply a cool, damp cloth.
- Apply a fragrance-free, alcohol-free moisturizer, or aloe vera gel.
- Wear loose clothing.
- Avoid deodorant, perfume, scrubs and acids on the area until it settles.
- Do not shave again until the redness has gone.
Caring for ingrown hairs
- Stop removing hair in the area until the bumps have cleared, if you can.
- Apply a warm, damp cloth for a few minutes, several times a day, to soften the skin.
- Exfoliate very gently with a soft cloth in small circles, to help the hair to surface.
- Do not pick, squeeze or dig. This causes infection, scars and dark marks.
- If a loop of hair is clearly visible at the surface, you can lift the end free with a sterile needle or clean tweezers. Do not pull the hair out.
- A product with salicylic acid or glycolic acid, used a few times a week once the skin is calm, can help to keep follicles clear.
Preventing both
Before
- Soften hair with warm water for a few minutes.
- Exfoliate gently. See How to Prepare Your Skin for Hair Removal.
- Use shaving gel or cream.
During
- Use a sharp, clean blade, and replace it after five to seven shaves.
- Shave in the direction of hair growth.
- Use light pressure and as few strokes as possible.
- Do not stretch the skin tight, which lets the cut hair retreat below the surface.
- Rinse the blade after each stroke.
After
- Rinse with cool water, pat dry and moisturize.
- Wear loose clothing for a day.
See How to Shave Your Legs with Less Irritation and Shaving in the Shower: Preparation and Aftercare.
If you keep getting ingrown hairs
- Shave less often, or less closely. A single-blade razor or an electric trimmer leaves hair slightly longer and reduces ingrowing.
- Try a different method. Hair removal creams suit some people, after a patch test.
- Consider laser hair removal, which reduces hair growth and is often recommended for people with persistent razor bumps. See a dermatologist.
What else could it be?
- Folliculitis: infected or inflamed hair follicles, with many small pus-filled bumps.
- Keratosis pilaris: long-standing rough bumps on the arms and thighs. See Keratosis Pilaris: A Gentle Body Care Routine.
- Contact dermatitis: a reaction to a shaving product or deodorant.
When to see a doctor
- Bumps are very painful, swollen, hot, or filled with pus.
- Redness is spreading, or you have a fever.
- The problem keeps returning.
- Bumps leave scars or dark marks.
Underarms have their own challenges. See Underarm Hair Removal: Methods and Aftercare.
Related on ArniSun
- How to Shave Your Legs with Less Irritation
- How to Prepare Your Skin for Hair Removal
- Shaving in the Shower: Preparation and Aftercare
- Keratosis Pilaris: A Gentle Body Care Routine
- Underarm Hair Removal: Methods and Aftercare
Sources and further reading
Frequently asked questions
How long does razor burn last?
Usually a few hours to two or three days. Cool compresses and a gentle moisturizer help it to settle.
Should I pull out an ingrown hair?
No. If the end is visible, gently lift it out of the skin with a sterile tool and leave it attached. Plucking it can cause the next hair to grow in the same way.
Why do I get ingrown hairs every time I shave?
Coarse or curly hair, a very close shave, shaving against the grain and tight clothing all raise the risk. Shaving with the grain, less closely, and exfoliating gently can help.