Most of us have sensitive skin in our neck area, so shaving will, more often than not, result in irritation and red skin. It can also, sometimes, lead to bleeding. So, you might have asked yourself the question, “Why does my neck bleed when I shave?”
Well, neck bleeds are caused by the act of shaving itself. When shaving, the hair is pulled up, and the skin is pushed to the side. The nerves in your skin feel this.
When these nerves get stimulated by a high amount of force, it triggers a biochemical process that leads to widening blood cells and increased blood flow to that area.
Shaving can also lead to ingrown hairs, leading to infections, hyperpigmentation, and scarring.
Once I started shaving, I did in fact ask myself the same question, “Why does my neck bleed when I shave?”. After doing some research, along with some trial and error, I thought it would be helpful to share what I’ve learned.
Also Read: What Can You Use Instead of Alcohol After Shaving? An Ultimate Guide
Why do I always cut myself while shaving?
I found that there were six main reasons why I was constantly cutting myself and bleeding during shaving. And it is likely that one of these is the reasons of your question “Why does my neck bleed when I shave?”
I was shaving against the grain: First reason why my neck bleeds when I shave is that I used to shave against the grain. I needed to shave WITH the grain of my beard, which is to shave in the direction that your beard is growing in and not against it.
I needed to adjust my stroke length: The second reason why my neck bleeds when I shave is the length of each of my strokes. There is a debate about what stroke length you should use while shaving. Short strokes decrease the chances of causing your neck to bleed while shaving but don’t be afraid to experiment with longer strokes either, as it allows you to control the pressure you apply, which leads to the third reason.
I needed to adjust the amount of pressure I apply: The third reason why my neck bleeds when I shave is that I should have been applying a low level of pressure when shaving, instead of trying the push the razor as hard as I could into my skin.
I had to stop re-stroking: The fourth reason why my neck bleeds when I shave is that I didn’t stick to the areas covered in shaving gel or foam. Once you run your razor over a part of your skin, you should not shave that same area again without re-applying shaving gel.
I used the same blade for too long: The fifth reason why my neck bleeds when I shave is that I didn’t swap out my razor blades often enough. When you start to feel discomfort or frequent irritation when shaving, that is a good indication that you need new blades. A blunt blade doesn’t cut your hair; it tugs and pulls it during shaving.
I didn’t invest in proper pre-shave and aftershave care: The final reason why my neck bleeds when I shave is that I did not realize the importance of prepping my face before shaving and applying a good aftershave when I was done.
Why is my neck red and blotchy after shaving?
Your neck is red and blotchy due to razor burn. In more severe cases, your neck will bleed when you shave as well.
Razor burn occurs when you shave any part of your body, not just your face and neck. The more sensitive your skin is, the more severe your razor burn can be. Shaving with dry skin is not advisable regardless of your skin type.
High pressure or shaving with aggression will also result in your skin becoming irritated and turning red. Make sure to wash your face with a cleanser before shaving.
This prevents bacteria on your face from seeping into your open pores after shaving. This can cause irritation or lead to acne. A good cleanser contains salicylic acid, which is a BHA (Beta Hydroxy acid). Use it before shaving to clean out your pores and hair shafts. It removes all debris, impurities, and bacteria.
While shaving, make sure to avoid lathering with soap. Soaps severely dry out your skin and get rid of essential face oils that help repair your skin.
This can intensify your skin irritation. Instead, use a shaving gel or foam to wet your skin before shaving. The benefits of using shaving gel or foam are that it reduces razor cuts, razor burns and moisturizes your skin.
How do I stop my neck from bleeding after shaving?
There are three things you can do to help stop bleeding or reduce irritation after shaving.
Exfoliate: Exfoliating before shaving can reduce irritation after you are done shaving. By removing dirt, oil, and old skin cells, exfoliating provides a smoother surface for the blade to run through. It can also help release ingrown hairs that show up as razor bumps.
Use aftershave: Make sure to use an aftershave with natural ingredients as the alcohol-based ones can be more damaging to the skin. There are many benefits to using a natural-based aftershave, such as is it helps reduce itching and swelling from ingrown hairs and closes pores to prevent bacteria or dirt from going in.
Use a cold cloth: If your skin feels very aggravated and keeps bleeding after shaving, wet a cloth with cold water and hold it to your skin. The coolness will help reduce redness, swelling and discomfort.
How do you shave a sensitive neck?
If you have sensitive skin in your face and neck area, it will likely bleed when shaving. To prevent this from happening, you should take extra care with the following steps.
Here are some more tips for you if you are concerned about “why does my neck bleed when I shave?”
Map the grain on your neck: The hair growth pattern on your neck is much more complicated than your skin. It grows in multiple directions and can even have a circular pattern. Once you map this, you will have an easier time shaving with the grain, even on your neck.
When applying shaving gel or foam, rub it in circular motions on your neck to help untangle the hairs. This will also make it easier to shave and reduce the risks of ingrown hair or skin irritation.
Prep with a good cleanser and warm water: Neutrogena’s “Razor Defence” face scrub or salicylic acid wash is excellent to prepare the skin by cleaning all the impurities on your face that disrupt the razor path and prevents you from getting a clean shave.
Choose a good shaving gel: When you have sensitive skin, go for a non-irritating shave gel, as they tend to be more lubricating than shaving foams. Aveeno’s Shave Gel might be a great option to start with.
Apply zero pressure: People with normal skin can get away with applying varying pressure, but you can’t. If you have sensitive skin, you need to move the blade across your skin with barely any force pushing it down.
Avoid re-stroking at all cost: Your razor stroke takes away your hair and the shaving gel that lubricates that area. You mustn’t re-shave a shaved area without re-applying more shaving gel or foam.
Flatten the neck skin: Since the neck skin is not a flat surface, it makes it even more challenging to get a clean shave. Raise your chin and move your head forward to smoothen out that surface.
Use cold water: After prepping your skin with a cleanser and warm water, use cold water during your shave. Many people have reported having less irritated skin while shaving with cold water.
Opt for gentle blades for the neck area: Use two different blades when shaving; A regular or high-performance blade for your face and a gentle razor for your sensitive neck area. A gentle razor does not give as close a shave as standard blades do as less of the blade edge is exposed. This may be exactly what you need to prevent the sensitive areas from getting aggravated.
Stick to natural products: You should also be mindful of the products you use. Use products with natural ingredients and stay away from alcohol-based ones. Aloe vera or avocado oil is great to help soothe itching or irritation. These can be applied directly to the skin.
Conclusion
I hope you have a good idea of how to reduce skin irritation and bleeding when shaving your neck from reading this article.
Make sure you pay attention to prepping your skin before shaving, mapping the grain on your neck and using the right pressure while shaving. Then, finally, take good care of the skin with natural products after you complete your shave to prevent red skin, blotchiness and bleeding.