Razor burn is quite common with men who shave and who don’t shave properly or have not learnt the technique of shaving. Women also get razor burn on the areas of their body that they shave. Razor burn is red patch of skin that appears after one has shaved and may last for a few hours or for a couple of days depending on how bad the razor burn is. Not shaving properly is the number one reason for razor burns occurring and the second is using old nicked blades. Another reason for razor burn is not using enough shaving cream or gel or pulling the skin too tight or shaving too close and scrapping of the skin with the hair. When one does not shave properly the hair gets pushed back into the skin and ingrown hair develops and causes razor burn that can be quite painful.

To avoid razor burn one must learn to shave properly and that is by following the steps that is described on a number of web sites. If one shaves properly there is no reason for razor burns to occur. Women may have more difficulty in shaving their legs, arms, arm pits and pubic areas as they don’t shave as regularly as men and may not be using the same technique that men use to shave their beards. Some tips that are necessary to avoid razor burn and to shave properly are to never shave in a hurry, never shave dry always use a gel or lather before shaving, shave with the grain of the hair and not against it. In case one has very tough hair should one shave twice, once with the grain and the second time against it. Keep wetting the razor blade under hot water to remove the soap and shaved hair, etc that sticks to the blade. Use a new blade when one feels that the blade is nicked or old just get rid of it. Some men and women prefer using electric razors as these are safer and there are less chances of one nicking one's self. The electric razor may not give a shave as close as a razor does but one can avoid razor burns with it. Women who get bikini razor burns can use a concealer to cover the razor burn or some skin foundation. Again bikini razor burns happen because of incorrect shaving and knowing how to shave the bikini area is a must to avoid bikini razor burns. So a woman should read the shaving instructions before shaving. The instructions are given with women's razors and they should be followed.

Some people are more prone to razor burn then other and this is because of their skin type or hair type. Men or women with stiff or curly hair are more prone to getting razor burns then people with softer hair. For some men shaving can be such an ordeal that they may decide to grow a beard rather then go through the agony of shaving.

Razor burns are nothing to worry about as they are a temporary condition and the skin is going to return to normal in due course of time. It is avoiding getting razor burns that is important and where ever one does any research on razor burns one will see that all talk about shaving properly. After all razor burn is rightly named after what causes it which are razors. Some men still prefer to shave with a straight razor which is a technique that requires some skill to learn. Razor companies have been improving the razor and now there are 3 bladed razors with moving heads and disposable razors. Also the chances of suffering from a razor burn using these razors are quite remote.