Shaving is a daily ritual for most men. And much like experiencing a bad hair day, men can also encounter the occasional bad “shave” day.

When shaving doesn’t go well, it can ruin your day…

One of the most common shaving problems is those angry, painful, red bumps that appear after shaving. These look like tiny pimples or a small rash. Regardless, it is clear when you have a bad shave day.

And the fact that it is on your face is even worse. So, unless you borrow your girlfriend’s concealer, which may not even help, there’s no hiding it…

We want to help solve this dilemma. So, we compiled this super-quick guide with some aftershave techniques that we think are worth trying.

1. Switch Blades

Take a good look at your razor blade before and after you shave. When was the last time you cleaned or changed it? If your blade is becoming rusty, chipped or dull, it’s definitely past the point of no return. Dull blades can cause severe friction, which inevitably causes those little razor burn bumps.

All in all, the quality and level of sharpness of the blade plays a crucial role in ensuring a close, smooth, comfortable, and enjoyable shave. After all, sharp, new blades just cut better.

2. Treat Sensitive Skin

Many men experience sensitive skin. If you are one of them, then we recommend getting into an aftershave routine to help treat sensitive skin.

Believe it or not, sensitive skin is often genetic, making you prone to a number of issues during your regular shaving routine. However, it is possible to treat and even prevent skin irritation and reactions by using the right before and aftershave products.

Additionally, if you have sensitive skin, be sure that your razor is as sharp as possible. By using a sharp razor, you drastically reduce the risk of irritating your skin. Properly caring for your shave brush, safety razor and other shaving tools will help prevent irritation.

3. Clean and Properly Maintain Your Razor

Okay, you probably saw this one coming… One of the best things you can do after shaving is to thoroughly—and we mean thoroughly—rinse and clean your razor. If your razor is clogged with hair, dead skin cells, shaving cream, product or other chemicals, then your razor probably has more bacteria in it than flies on… you know what.
Be sure to purchase a razor cleaning product or solution to help remove chemicals and irritants from your razor. Therefore, when you pick up your razor again tomorrow for your morning shave, you know that your razor is clean and ready for use.

4. Use a Gentle Aftershave

If you have been diligent about the tips and steps we have listed thus far, and you are still experiencing skin irritation or razor burn, then try using an aftershave.

Aftershaves are typically made with alcohol and other ingredients that are infamous for drying out skin. This is especially common for those with sensitive skin. There are aftershave products designed specifically for those with sensitive skin. However, get into the habit of checking the product labels prior to making a purchase to make sure you aren’t making your sensitive skin worse.

If you still see those little red bumps, even after applying aftershave, then you may want to try an aftershave product with natural ingredients.

5. Moisturize

This is often one step that most men forget about. Using a moisturizer after shaving can help prevent skin from drying out, becoming irritated, and even razor burn.

Additionally, moisturizing daily can help protect your skin against environmental factors, such as heat, which causes moisture loss in the skin.

What’s In YOUR Shaving Kit?

All in all, if you follow these steps above, and you still experience issues, then take a good, hard look at the products in your shaving kit. What kind of shaving cream do you use? Do you use pre-shave oils? What’s in that aftershave?

Yes, ensuring that you have a sufficient lather when using shaving cream, soap, and other products is important; however, even the best shaving technique is useless if you aren’t using quality products. If your skin is bumpy, irritated, and even painful after shaving, it’s time to opt for a better shaving cream or aftershave product.

Additionally, as we mentioned above, there are a number of different shaving products and tools designed specifically for sensitive skin. You may need to try and test several products in order to find the right one.

Your razor might be another culprit for skin irritation and razor burn. For example, if you use cheap, disposable cartridge razors, then this could be the root cause. These types of razors are cheaply made and designed, and they are often brittle and easily lose their sharpness. If you have incredibly thick hair, then you may notice your razor becoming dull even after only one use!

Opt for a safety razor. It may require a little bit of investment, but you will likely see a significant improvement after using it the first time. Safety razors are designed in such a way that are angled and designed for the hand. This design helps reduce pressure on the razor and your skin, preventing razor burn.

In summary, you may need to try a few different shaving techniques, aftershave products, and rethink your shaving tools in order to get the quality shave you deserve.