Does Yogurt Really Help Razor-Burned Skin?
You know the pain. After shaving unwanted hairs with a razor, often your skin is left red, raw, and stinging. It's no fun, especially when the area in question is your bikini line. Why does it happen? Two of the most common causes of razor burn are not using enough lubrication and shaving with a dull blade, according to GQ. To avoid it, you want to make sure your skin is fully moisturized and has a layer to protect it from the blade. And your razor should be replaced every three weeks.
But if the deed is done, and you need relief fast, you absolutely can reach for the container of yogurt in your fridge and apply it to the affected area. Not only is the healthy snack cooling, it also contains bacteria that act as anti-inflammatories, helping to soothe skin, New York City dermatologist Whitney Bowe tells Elle.
Want to boost the benefit? Mix honey with the yogurt, suggests Lexi Miles, hair removal expert and founder of WAXON Waxbar in Toronto, to the CBC. The sweetener has anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties, helping to heal skin and erase redness, per Medical News Today.
More ways to heal razor burn
You can also try using aloe vera gel. Yes, it's an old standby, but that's because it's so effective. Per the scientific journal Burns, the aloe vera plant has properties that help heal first- and second-degree burns. If your drugstore is out, reach for tea tree oil, which boasts a high concentration of anti-inflammatories that can give your skin relief, according to Clinical Microbiology Reviews.
Also smart: Hop in the bath, suggests Marta Camkiran, an aesthetician at Haven Spa in New York, to Elle. Just be sure to add a half-cup of baking soda to the water. The reason? It contains sodium bicarbonate, which helps make it an effective treatment for razor burn, per Medical News Today. Or, even simpler, Camkiran advises applying a cold compress to your burning skin for 10-minute intervals as often as needed.
Armed with these expert tips, you can stop fearing your razor and slip on your swimsuit with confidence.