How to stop itching after shaving

Whether it’s your underarms, your legs, or somewhere a little more intimate, itchy skin after shaving can be a real pain. What should be a simple part of your personal beauty routine is suddenly the cause of a lot of irritation and maybe even frustration when even just thinking about having a shave has you scratching at your skin. Luckily, not all hope is lost! Learn how to prevent itchiness after shaving with our advice in this guide and say goodbye to red, dry skin for good.

First things first: Why is it itchy after shaving?

 

Before getting into how to stop itching after shaving, let’s take a quick look at why you feel the urge to scratch. Itchy skin after shaving can come from:

 

• Irritation
  
• Razor burn
  
• Wrong shaving technique
  
• Dry skin
  
• Type of razor or shaver you’re using

 

From itchy legs after shaving to an irritated pubic area, one of the most common causes is your razor. A dull blade can twist your hair follicles as you shave, leading to irritation, pain, and itchiness. This is the classic ‘razor burn’, and it’s as unpleasant as it sounds.

 

Some people find that how to avoid itching after shaving has a lot to do with the direction you shave. Going against the natural direction of hair growth can increase the pull on your hair follicles, leading to itchiness and ingrown hairs.

 

It could also be dry skin that’s creating your shaving itch. Over 29% of the global population has dry skin, making it an all-too-common issue.¹ When you’re shaving, it can cause more irritation and lead to even more dryness, creating a vicious cycle that ends in itching.

 

For people with sensitive skin, it’s important to choose gentle ways to remove face and body hair that are kind to your hair follicles. We’ll look at options later in this article.

How to avoid itching from shaving

 

If your pubic area is itchy after shaving or your legs are covered in irritated bumps, you can soothe the skin to reduce the problem. Here are some easily accessible remedies for how to stop itching from shaving:

 

• Use a cold compress to cool the skin and bring relief to irritated areas
  
• Apply aloe vera gel, which has been found to stop itching in as little as half an hour²
  
• Moisturise and soothe with a fragrance-free, kind-to-skin moisturiser

 

Natural remedies not doing the trick? Anti-itch creams are available over the counter, providing a quick solution if you’re wondering how to stop itching after shaving. So you should look into these options if the itchy skin isn’t going away by itself.

How to prevent itchiness after shaving

 

To stop itching after shaving, there are ways you can make the shave itself gentler on sensitive skin:

 

• Exfoliating
  
• Using the right tools
  
• Moisturising the skin

 

Getting rid of dead skin cells is a great place to start. Old cells trap hair follicles on your skin and build up in your razor, creating a barrier between your blade and your hair. By exfoliating before shaving, you remove dead skin cells for a smoother shave. This also makes it easier for moisturisers to soak into your skin for deeper hydration.³

 

It’s important you use a sharp, clean razor and shave in the direction of hair growth, which is a must to avoid ingrown hairs. For a smoother shave, a fragrance-free shaving cream can also help.

 

Follow up your shave by moisturising the skin. To avoid pimples after shaving, use a gentle, non-comedogenic moisturiser that won’t clog your pores. 

Look for alternative hair removal options to stop itching after shaving

 

When considering how to avoid itching after shaving, other options for hair removal can be kinder to sensitive skin.

 

If you’re struggling with a pubic area that’s itchy after shaving, irritated legs, or razor burn on your face, try Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) hair removal. Developed alongside dermatologists, the Philips Lumea IPL device has a smart skin sensor that adjusts to suit your skin for the most comfortable hair removal. You only need to use it once every 2 weeks to see results, making it far simpler than a daily shave.

 

There are also epilators that pull the hair from the follicle rather than cutting it, like the Satinelle Essential Epilator. This efficient system is designed for your legs and leaves skin smooth for weeks, reducing the amount of time you need to spend on hair removal for sensitive skin. Take a look at these tips to use your epilator and stop itching after shaving:

 

• Choose between two speed settings to remove thicker or thinner hairs
  
• Hold your epilator at a 90° angle
  
• Pull the skin taut and work against the direction of hair growth
  
• Take your time and go slowly to grab every hair
  

When to seek medical advice for a shaving itch

 

If you’ve tried these tips and you’re still wondering ‘why is it itchy after shaving’, it could be time to speak to a dermatologist. We also recommend seeking professional advice on how to stop itching from shaving if your itching is:

 

• Severe
  
• Prolonged
  
• Accompanied by a rash
  
• Shows signs of infection

 

A dermatologist will be able to assess your skin and create a tailored plan to stop itchy legs after shaving or rid your skin of razor burn.

 

You don’t have to suffer from irritated skin; these methods to stop itching after shaving are tried and tested. The key takeaways? Use a sharp blade, exfoliate, add moisture, and explore methods for alternate hair removal based on your skin type and sensitivity. Those gentler, long-term options of IPL and epilation could be exactly what you need to wave goodbye to itchy skin after shaving.