Itchy After Shaving: Why It Happens And How To Stop It

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Medical News TodaySubscribeWhat causes being itchy after shaving? Plus, remedies to help

Medically reviewed by Megan Slomka, MSN, APRN, FNP-C — Written by Jamie Eske — Updated on May 28, 2025

Causes
Specific areas
Summary

Shaving can lead to skin irritation, especially when using a dull razor or shaving sensitive skin. Various tips and products can help resolve irritation and itchiness after shaving.

Using shaving products that contain artificial scents and harsh chemicals, such as alcohol, can irritate the skin and contribute to itchiness.

People may shave for aesthetic, hygienic, or personal reasons. Regardless of the motivation, shaving provides an effective and efficient means of removing body hair.

This article explains why the skin itches after shaving and how to prevent it.

Razor burn, razor bumps, and folliculitis

A hand holding a razor above a sink full of water. -1 — Jorge Aguado Martin/Getty Images

Shaving with a razor can irritate the skin or cause ingrown hairs, which may lead to razor burn or folliculitis.

Razor burn and bumps

Razor burn is a type of skin irritation that develops immediately after shaving. Improper shaving techniques can irritate the skin, causing patches of red, itchy bumps.

Razor burn does not necessarily mean the skin is infected. It can happen when people dry shave, which is shaving without using creams or gels.

Razor bumps also develop after shaving. However, these occur as the result of ingrown hairs.

Folliculitis

Itching after shaving could also be a sign of folliculitis. This is a common skin condition caused by a bacterial, fungal, or, rarely, viral infection of the hair follicle under the skin. It often results in red, acne-like spots and itchy, painful skin.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), the bacteria Staphylococcus aureusoften causes folliculitis.

Some people are more prone to folliculitis than others. Shaving in the opposite direction to the way the hairs grow may increase a person’s risk of folliculitis.

How to avoid

Shaving can irritate hair follicles. Shaving with an unclean razor and against the grain can introduce bacteria into the hair follicles, which can lead to an infection.

Razor burn, razor bumps, and folliculitis can technically affect any part of the body. However, they usually develop on areas of skin that people frequently shave, such as the legs, pubic area, and face.

Avoiding problems in specific areas

Highly sensitive areas, such as the pubic region and face, may get irritated more often than the legs and chest.

This section discusses the effects of shaving and how to treat skin irritation in different areas of the body.

Legs

The skin on the legs is less sensitive than some other areas, such as the pubic region.

However, people may develop razor burn on their legs if they:

shave too fast or too often
use an old razor
shave against the grain of the hair or too close to the skin
use shaving products that contain harsh chemicals

People can resolve razor burn on their legs by:

applying a cool compress immediately after shaving to relieve irritation and reduce inflammation
avoiding shaving the legs until the skin heals
using a soothing moisturizer, such as one that contains aloe vera or shea butter
soothing inflammation with topical ointments, such as hydrocortisone cream and antibiotics, if a doctor has diagnosed folliculitis

People should never shave their legs when they are dry. Using gentle shaving creams and gels keeps the skin hydrated.

Pubic hair

The skin around the pubic area is very sensitive, so people should use caution when shaving in this area. There are many reasons why the skin on the pubic region is prone to irritation.

The groin area is prone to excessive moisture and chafing, which can lead to skin irritation. This is especially problematic in warmer weather.

The hair that grows in this area is thicker, curlier, and coarser than most other body hair, which may make it more susceptible to growing inward.

People may also shave this area often because pubic hair tends to grow rapidly. Shaving too frequently can irritate the skin.

People can use the following guidelines to prevent skin irritation when shaving pubic hair:

Carefully use a pair of scissors or a clipper to trim as much hair as possible before shaving.
Soak the area in warm water to soften the skin and hair.
Apply a soothing shaving cream or gel.
Gently hold the skin tight with one hand.
Slowly shave in the same direction that the hair grows — pubic hair grows toward the genitals.
When finished, rinse the area with warm water and pat dry with a clean towel.
Apply a fragrance free moisturizer, such as CeraVe or Vanicream, to avoid irritation.

People with sensitive skin may want to consider using an electric trimmer because the blade is further away from the skin than traditional razor blades.

Testicles and scrotum

Less hair grows on the scrotum than the pubic region but shaving this area can cause irritation because the skin of the scrotum is delicate. Some men may find using a trimmer a better option.

When shaving the scrotum, follow the same steps as for shaving pubic hair. However, a person should always remember to:

hold the skin as tight as possible without causing pain
apply gentle pressure to avoid cutting the skin
shave in the same direction that the hair grows
avoid using a dull razor

Face

Male facial hairs tend to grow at a low angle close to the skin, which can raise the risk of ingrown hairs and skin irritation.

Pseudofolliculitis barbae is a condition where the beard hair curls back inward and penetrates the skin, resulting in inflammation. While this condition usually affects the face and neck, it can appear in other areas.

Having curly hair can increase a person’s chances of developing pseudofolliculitis.

One dermatologist, Robert Anolik, MD, FAAD, shares the following tips for shaving facial hair in a press release from the AAD:

Soften the skin and hair with water.
Apply shaving cream and let it sit on the skin for 2–3 minutes.
Shave in the direction that the hair grows.
Rinse the razor after each stroke.
After shaving, rinse the face with cold water.
Apply a moisturizer and sunscreen.

The dermatologist also recommends that people store their razors in a dry place. Leaving a razor on a wet surface, such as in the shower or next to the sink, can allow bacteria to grow on the blades. This may lead to a higher risk of bacteria entering the skin and causing irritation.

Pseudofolliculitis barbae is more common in people of color. Often, the best way to combat the recurrent issue is to grow a beard; however, if this is not the desired aesthetic, laser hair removal may be an option.

»MORE:Get a skin condition evaluation in as little as 15 minutes with Optum Now Online Care.

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Summary

Shaving may cause skin irritation if people:

shave against the grain of their hair
use dull or unclean razors
shave too often
shave without applying shaving cream or gel first
apply too much force when shaving

Using clean, sharp razors and sensitive shaving products can help reduce irritation. Applying moisturizer after shaving can also help.

Dermatology
Complementary Medicine / Alternative Medicine

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Acne-like breakouts could be folliculitis. (n.d.).https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/bumps-and-growths/folliculitis
American Academy of Dermatology. (2018). Tips for men: How to shave [Press release].https://www.aad.org/media/news-releases/tips-for-men-how-to-shave
Maurer, M., et al. (2016). The male beard hair and facial skin — challenges for shaving [Abstract].https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/ics.12328
Winters RD, et al. (2023). Folliculitis.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK547754/

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Medically reviewed by Megan Slomka, MSN, APRN, FNP-C — Written by Jamie Eske — Updated on May 28, 2025

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Razor burn, razor bumps, and folliculitis

Razor burn and bumps

Folliculitis

How to avoid

Avoiding problems in specific areas

Legs

Pubic hair

Testicles and scrotum

Face

Summary

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