How to avoid shaving irritation is one of those things that sounds simple until you’re staring at red bumps under your arms or flinching from a bikini line that has felt raw for days.
Shaving isn’t complicated in theory, yet somehow it manages to cause some of the most painful and stubborn irritation people deal with.
What makes it worse is that there is advice everywhere, and a lot of it contradicts itself. Commercials push five-blade razors. TikTok influencers tell you to rub acids (eek!) on freshly shaved skin or apply deodorant immediately to “kill bacteria.” Dermatologists say to be gentle. Friends say to exfoliate more.
Somewhere in the middle of all this, your skin is paying the price. Especially if you have sensitive skin, shaving will likely lead to skin itchiness, razor burn and other irritation.
We want to clear up the confusion. Below are seven of the most common myths about how to avoid shaving irritation, why they don’t work, and what actually helps your skin stay calm and comfortable.
We also provide tips on how to use CV Skinlabs products to help resolve irritation, redness, razor burn and itchiness post-shaving. The good news is that with the right techniques and products, you can have irritation-free, smooth skin.
Myth 1 About How to Avoid Shaving Irritation: More Blades Always Means Less Irritation!
You’ve seen the ads—companies selling razors with more and more blades. It seems every year they add another blade on! They say they make shaving smoother and “gentler.” The truth is something different, particularly with sensitive skin.
The problem is that multi-blade razors shave extremely close. Sometimes too close. With each pass, one blade can pull the hair upward while the next cuts it below the skin’s surface. When the hair starts growing back, it may curl inward or get trapped under the skin, leading to ingrown hairs and inflammation.
This is especially common in areas like the bikini line, where hair tends to be thicker and curlier, and in the underarms, where skin folds increase friction.
What to do instead:
What works better is matching the razor to your skin’s tolerance. Many dermatologists, including those referenced by the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), suggest that fewer blades—or even single-blade razors—can reduce irritation for people prone to bumps. Shaving with light pressure, rinsing the blade frequently, and avoiding repeated passes over the same area matters more than blade count.
Myth 2: Exfoliating Hard Right Before Shaving Prevents Bumps
You’ve probably heard this advice: always exfoliate the skin before you shave. It seems to make sense. Get rid of the dead skin cells so that the razor can do a clean job of removing the hair.
It’s true that exfoliation can help prevent ingrown hairs by removing the dead skin that tends to trap growing hair. But how you exfoliate matters. Many people think that exfoliate means “be aggressive.” But harsh scrubbing—especially right before shaving—can weaken the skin barrier and create tiny abrasions that you can’t see.
Then the razor goes over that already stressed skin, and irritation flares.
What to do instead:
A better approach is to be more careful with your exfoliation. For many people, light exfoliation the day before shaving works better than scrubbing right beforehand. You can use soft washcloths or mild exfoliants, but avoid gritty scrubs or stiff brushes. If your skin already feels sensitive or tight, skipping exfoliation entirely for that cycle is often the smartest choice.
Myth 3 About How to Avoid Shaving Irritation: Dry Shaving is Fine If You’re Careful
Some days you are in a hurry, or maybe you don’t have all the tools you normally use to shave. So you figure you can dry shave or just shave with water. It will save time, and it should be fine, right?
Actually, this is one of the fastest ways to cause irritation. Without lubrication from a gel or cream, the razor will drag over your skin instead of gliding. That increases friction and tends to cause micro-tears in the skin. Sensitive areas feel this immediately with burning, itching, and redness that can show up within minutes.
What to do instead:
What helps is reducing that friction as much as possible. Shaving after a warm shower allows the hair to soften and swell slightly, making it easier to cut cleanly. Use a gentle, fragrance-free shaving cream or gel to help the razor move smoothly without scraping the skin.
After shaving, your skin barrier needs support. This is where calming products matter. CV Skinlabs Rescue + Relief Spray is designed specifically for irritated, inflamed skin and is often used after shaving to instantly cool and reduce redness and discomfort without clogging. It drenches skin with moisture and promotes wound healing, supporting tissue repair.
Myth 4: Shaving More Often Keeps Skin Calm
You may have heard that frequent shaving prevents irritation by keeping hair short and soft. But in truth, shaving too often keeps skin in a constant state of recovery. Hair that’s barely grown can be harder to cut cleanly, leading to tugging and repeated passes, which increases irritation.
What to do instead:
Your skin needs some downtime. If irritation shows up, pause shaving for a few days and focus on repair. This often helps resolve the issue. During that recovery window, use a protective balm like our Restorative Skin Balm to create a protective barrier that supports healing and helps regenerate wounded skin, while moisturizing, softening and soothing.
Myth 5 About How to Avoid Shaving Irritation: Strong Actives Right After Shaving Prevent Ingrowns
This myth is fueled by social media. You’ll see advice online about how you should apply glycolic acid, alcohol, or even deodorant immediately after shaving to “kill bacteria” or “keep pores clear.” While chemical exfoliants can help ingrown in some routines, freshly shaved skin is not the time to experiment with them.
Right after shaving, your skin barrier is compromised. Applying acids, alcohol-based products, or fragranced deodorants can intensify burning and prolong inflammation—especially under the arms and along the bikini line.
What to do instead:
A smarter idea is to separate treatment from shaving. Immediately after shaving, focus on soothing and moisturizing the skin. Wait until your skin has had some time to recover before you return to exfoliating or anti-aging treatments.
Our Body Repair Lotion works well at this stage because it hydrates and supports the skin barrier without relying on harsh ingredients that can make sensitivity worse. It includes emollients, aloe, and oats that help soothe skin and promote healing.
Myth 6: Shaving Against the Grain Always Gives You the Best Shave
This is another of the most persistent myths in the beauty world. For years, people have believed that if you want the smoothest possible skin, you need to shave in the opposite direction of your hair growth.
It seems logical. When you pull your razor against the grain, it lifts each hair up slightly before cutting it, which theoretically results in a closer shave. This is true, but the problem is that a close shave often equals more irritation. Particularly in sensitive areas, when you shave against the direction of hair growth, you force the razor to tug at each hair before cutting it. This irritates the skin around each hair follicle, causing redness and irritation.
The other problem is that when the hair is cut this way, it’s often cut so close that it ends up sitting just below the surface of your skin. As it starts to grow back, it can curl and grow back into the skin, causing ingrown hairs.
What to do instead:
The safest approach is to shave in the direction your hair grows. You can determine the direction by running your hand gently over the area. If your hand glides smoothly and the hair feels flat, you’re going with the grain. If you feel resistance or the hair stands up and feels rough, you’re going against it.
When you shave with the grain, the razor cuts the hair just above the skin’s surface, rather than tugging it up first. This causes less irritation and significantly reduces your risk of developing ingrown hairs. Yes, you might notice some very slight stubble if you run your hand against the grain, but your skin will be healthier, calmer, and more comfortable.
Myth 7 About How to Avoid Shaving Irritation: Hot Water is Essential for a Good Shave
You may have seen scenes in movies where the barber applied steaming hot towels to a client’s face before shaving. Or maybe someone told you that hot water was best. Either way, people tend to think that the hotter the water, the softer the hair becomes, which should lead to a smoother shave.
Warm water does help soften hair and open up the pores, but excessively hot water can work against you. It strips your skin’s natural protective oils, which dries out the skin and makes it more vulnerable to irritation. Hot water itself can also cause the skin to become more tender and puffy, which makes it easier to nick during shaving.
What to do instead:
Use warm water, not hot, when preparing to shave. It will help soften the hair and open pores without damaging your skin’s protective barrier. The ideal time to shave is after you’ve been in the shower or bath for about three to five minutes.
Here’s one more tip: After shaving, rinse the shaved area with cool (not ice-cold) water. It will help close your pores back up, which reduces the risk of irritation and helps prevent bacteria from entering the newly opened hair follicles.
After you rinse, apply our Rescue + Relief spray for more cooling relief.
The Real Answer to How to Avoid Shaving Irritation
Most shaving irritation comes down to three things: too much friction, shaving too close, and weakening the skin barrier. Instead, use gentle shaving techniques, lubricate properly before you start, and take care of the skin afterward. With a little extra TLC, your skin is likely to feel a lot better.
Which myth have you been following?
Featured image by jcomp on Freepik.
