What Is Beard Burn And How To Treat It

Bubba Stacy
5 minute read

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Feature | What is Beard Burn And How To Treat It

Beards have been worn for millenia, and have grazed the face of many a beard-burned partner for just as long. Learn how to identify beard burn and how to treat it.

What Is Beard Burn And How To Avoid It

 

Beards are glorious to look at, but a pain to rub against, as many a partner to bearded men can attest. Beard burn is the raw sensation, redness, and irritation that comes as a result of your coarse and wiry facial hair rubbing against a partner’s delicate skin. Save your poor partner’s face from beard burn symptoms by following these handy tips:

1. Clean and Condition Your Beard

Your beard needs good old fashioned cleaning and conditioning, just as the hair on your head does. If anything, the beard should take priority in your grooming routine, as it always comes into contact with food. Give your beard a thorough washing with a good beard shampoo and conditioner while you’re in the shower. To retain moisture and make it even softer, use a good beard balm and/or oil.

2. Trim That Mustache

It may be stating the obvious, but it’s worth a mention: Trim your mustache. Long and unruly mustache hairs will tend to get stuck in your mouth, as well as your partner’s. Everyone can agree that getting hair stuck in your mouth is an unpleasant experience, so grab a pair of small scissors and trim that ‘stache in front of a mirror.

3. Mind the Length

Short beards tend to be spikier and cause more pain and rashes to a lover’s face. A couple of weeks after a clean shave is reported to be the sweet spot, as the hairs have gone past the stiff and upright stage. To further manage irritation, it’s best to keep your beard at a medium length. It’s also better to trim your beard instead of simply shaving it all off.

4. Get the Closest Shave

Get the Closest Shave | What is Beard Burn And How To Treat It

If you can’t help but shave off your whole beard—for whatever reason—the resulting 5 o’ clock shadow can make any lover suffer beard burn when making out. This means a closer shave is a must. Invest in a good conditioning shaving cream that lets your razor effortlessly glide as close to your skin as possible. Go for the ones with natural ingredients to make your skin smooth, and prevent ingrown hairs.

How To Treat Beard Burn (Tips For Her!)

1. Exfoliate in Advance

Exfoliation has many long-term benefits, but removing dead skin cells exposes softer and more vulnerable skin that will be pricked into painful redness by a coarse beard. Exfoliate in the morning with a gentle moisturizer that opens up pores, buffs away dead skin, and preps your skin for a prickle-free makeout session.

2. Load up on Heavy Moisturizers

Preparation is the best weapon against beard burn. Lather on your favorite night cream the night before to make sure your skin is burn-free after your makeout session. Consider night creams with all-natural ingredients that won’t add to the irritation and anything that has aloe in it for its soothing properties.

3. Remedy Chafing with Shea Butter

Remedy Chafing with Shea Butter | What is Beard Burn And How To Treat It

Shea butter is a great post-makeout remedy, especially if you haven’t prepped your delicate face beforehand. It works as an effective anti-chafing balm and soothes irritation. Use an organic shea butter so that no chemicals will counteract the vitamins, nutrients, and fatty acids that work on healing your skin. It lubricates and moisturizes, and is also hypoallergenic and absorbs quickly, meaning quick beard burn recovery.

4. Soothe Damaged Skin with Rosehip Seed Oil

If things got a little too hot and heavy and you’re now suffering a bad case of beard burn, treat the affected area with some rosehip seed oil. It’s full of vitamins and antioxidants that soothe skin, reduces inflammation, and heals the skin cells damaged by making out with a thickly bearded gent.

5. Use Aloe Vera

Use Aloe Vera | What is Beard Burn And How To Treat It

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Aloe vera is a true savior for those who suffer beard burns (and burns of any kind, for that matter). If you have the plant itself in your home, simply press the cool, sticky gel to the affected area and wait for it to heal, or buy a cream that is enriched with aloe vera. It is known for its moisturizing and skin-rejuvenating properties. It doesn’t clog pores, and application is a cinch.

 

Find out how couples deal with the dreaded beard burn in this video from GQ:

Making out is fun, so don’t let beard burn ruin it for you and your partner. They say communication is key to a lasting relationship. So, tell your partner if you’re feeling the burn, and use these tips to make sure every makeout session won’t leave a painful mark.

Got any beard burn tips you swear by? Share them with us in the comments section!

Up Next: Why Is A Beard Moisturizer Essential For Grooming | Beard Grooming FAQs

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