Do you have any recommendations for dealing with (permanent?) razor burn? I can be made up, dressed to the nines, feeling pretty–and then I’ll notice that the razor burn on the side of my neck is visible even through my makeup. Ugh! Any products you can think of to help me get rid of this pox on my femininity? Thanks so much!
I’ve never heard of razor burn being permanent, but there are a few ways to treat it, reduce it from happening, and prevent it from getting worse.
Razor burn is caused by your shaving habits. If your razor is dull or dirty you will likely get razor burn. The solution is pretty simple, replace your razor frequently. You should also wash your face with hot water before you share as this will open your pores. Dry skin is also going to work against you so make sure you are using a moisturizer.
Touching your razor burn or continuing to shave will irritate the infected area and will prolong it. Consider taking some time off from shaving. Personally I shave my face about once a week.
As for covering it up, you could use a concealer (I like the Correct and Conceal Palette from Jecca Blanc) but makeup will also irritate the area. Covering it up will only, of course, cover it up. It will also likely make it worse.
So, take a few days off from shaving, switch to a higher quality blade or an electric shaver and use a moisturizer. If the problem consists you may want to contact a dermatologist.
Love, Hannah
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Hannah McKnight 
I give my face a close shave every morning. I also have sensitive skin, so razor irritation is pretty much a permanent condition for me, too. To compound the problem, I have to deal with a hair whorl, or circular growth pattern, on my neck, which requires shaving over the whole area numerous times in all directions.
I agree that a fresh and sharp blade is important. I also highly recommend using a facial scrub (I like St. Ives Apricot Scrub) before shaving. Exfoliating gets rid of the dead skin that inhibits a close shave. Also, I get a much smoother shave if I do the job in the shower, where the steamy environment helps to keep my skin razor-ready. Another thing I’ve noticed, while travelling, is that hard water makes shaving miserable for me.
At least my hairs are all white now, so covering beard shadow is not a problem. While a red concealer works for the shadow, though, a green one works better for the red rash. It used to be a real bitch when I had to use both!
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Try not using a soap-based lather (whether in a can, or lathered up with a brush) for your shaving. A couple of decades ago, I moved from any form of soap to using Sorbolene (it’s a fairly light moisturising cream, often recommended for people with dermatitis and other sensitive skins; you may have to Google to find out what it’s called in your country), not only for shaving, but for washing when showering generally (though I still use soap for one key area, of course, and hand washing). And never had any complaints about excessive body odour!
That “squeaky clean” feeling your skin gets when you’ve washed with soap means you’ve washed away a bunch of natural oils.
My skin is far less dry and irritated (and I have fairly oily skin, not dry skin), and I never get a shaving rash. Another beneficial side effect is that my blade seems to stay far sharper for far longer; I can typically get up to 3 months from my Schick Quattro disposable razor head.
Sorbolene does have mineral oils in it, so if you want to go more “natural” any light moisturiser would be fine. Palmers Cocoa Butter formula (which I use for post-washing moisturising) is something I’ve used when Sorbolene hasn’t been available.
Hope this helps.
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