You have probably gone to a barber for a haircut, only to feel a sensation of burns and strong heat, right? This problem is very common.
Studies after studies have shown that almost without exception that many people experience this at the barber. That is why an article like this can be handy and helpful for dealing with this issue.
In this guide, we are going to answer a few important questions.
What causes razor burns from electric shavers?
And how do you prevent it?
We have taken a great deal of time and energy to research the answers to these two questions. We consulted experts in this space who gave us the right answers. We hope you find the answers helpful.
What causes electric razor burns?
There is no clear and specific explanation or answer to this question. This is because several factors are involved in why this condition exists.
However, the following three explanations are the most common reasons for this.
Dull Razor
A dull razor is one whose blades are blunt. This means they have lost their sharpness and cannot cut the hair perfectly. This issue can happen for several reasons.
The most significant of these is not changing the blade after prolonged use. Just like every other part, the blades get dull over time.
Dull razors are poor conductors of heat and electricity. This is why they get so hot. If and when they do contact the skin, it may cause the skin to get burned. And let’s not forget to mention other skin problems like rashes, reddening, swelling, and even scars that may occur.
Some dull razors can even carry germs and infections, which can be harmful.
Dirty Razor
If the razor blades are not washed thoroughly after, and immediately before use, they too may cause the risks of burns to happen.
Dirt is a good conductor of heat and electricity. When the razors are switched on with dirt on the blade, some electricity may bypass the circuit and find its way onto your skin.
The dirt also accelerates heat buildup, which can cause burns. This calls for regular and timely cleaning of the blades.
So removing dirt and other debris that may have gotten into the blades is a good idea. This way, the problem is avoided considerably.
Thorough washing and disinfection of the blades are also vital to protect the blades from wearing out.
Dirty Skin
Dry skin may also cause this condition. Dry skin has less moisture. This makes them too rigid to easily respond to the motions of the machine and the blades in particular.
The result can be a bad confrontation between the razor blades and the skin.
Other than this, the dirt on the skin also traps and accumulates heat. When the heat builds up, it can cause heat sensations and burns.
So, cutting your hair after washing your skin thoroughly and removing all dirt is a good idea. It is strongly recommended that you wash your face an hour before shaving. This will provide a clean face and prevent the chance of getting burns while cutting your hair.
How can I prevent skin burns?
Yes, you can prevent skin burns. It would help to consider the following practices to accomplish this:
Shave in the right direction
In most cases, skin burns happen when the hair is shaved against the direction of the hair strands. To avoid this problem, you should shave toward the hair growth.
This will minimize unnecessary friction.
It would help to prepare the hair before shaving. The hair should be combed or brushed thoroughly to make the strands straight and easily accessible.
Doing this will also help the blades work freely and unhindered while cutting through your hair.
Even though this may not be absolutely necessary, you can shampoo the hair prior to shaving it also. Doing this can help remove dandruff and dirt from the hair. The shampoo is very good at removing hard-to-reach dirt in your hair.
Replace the blades from time to time
As stated above, dull razors are the culprit that can cause skin burns. You should change your blades from time to time. You should replace them with newer blades as soon as they start losing sharpness.
It would be much better if you could keep the blades from getting rusted out beforehand. The more often you remove rust from the blades the better it will be at the end, and it will slow down the pace of deterioration. So, don’t hesitate to use grease or oil to keep your razor well-oiled or greased.
Apply a skin moisturizer
You should apply moisturizer on the part of the skin from which you intend to shave hair. The moisturizers you use should have either emollients or glycerin, or both. These two substances are great at moisturizing the skin and making it supple enough to respond appropriately to the motions of the razor. They subsequently go a long way in mitigating the possibility of developing burns.
It’s recommended to apply moisturizer before shaving. This will allow the ingredients to go deep into the skin and do their work before the shaving process starts.
Around 30 minutes before shaving will do.
Conclusion
There are numerous other causes of razor burns and possible things you can do to avoid them. But, the suggestions stated above should go a long way in helping you avoid getting burned by your electric shaver.