Most of us can shave as easily as we ride a bike. But, in the same way that it’s possible to topple off a bicycle and skin your knees, even the most veteran shavers can come up with a sour patch of razor burn. Rookie shavers are especially prone (hey, we’ve all been there!), and can be assured that it is possible to prevent razor burn. It’s important to know how to do that, and ditto for knowing how to get rid of razor burn if and when it does pop up. 

When you think about it, dragging a razor blade across your skin is a pretty crazy idea—not to mention, some of these cartridge razors have 5 or 6 blades on their heads, and with each stroke you’re peeling away a few more skin cells each time. Whew. Again, at least most of us learn to master this process. But if you’re here looking for that solution, read on for our razor burn tips.

Razor burn prevention really begins by understanding what causes of razor burn in the first place. Typically, you’ll experience razor burn because of some subpar aspect of your shave regimen. This can be because your razor blades are too dull (and thus are causing excessive razor drag across your skin), or perhaps because you shaved too hastily and without properly preparing the skin for those sharp blades. Understandably, this is why dry shaving can frequently result in razor burn.

So with all of that in mind, here is how to prevent razor burn in the first place.

1. Replace blades frequently: It’s important to swap out blades after 6-8 uses, or after 2-3 weeks—whichever of those two things occurs first. This ensures that blades never get too dull, nor will they accumulate bacteria. Luckily, most companies make it inexpensive to replace blades, but be sure to order enough new ones so that you never run out. 

2. Store blades correctly between uses: Try to get blade protectors or a case for your razors, so that the blades aren’t interacting with other items between uses. (Like, stored loose in your dopp kit, where they can rub against other items and compromise the even blades, or accumulate dust.) Secondly, make sure they are fully dried out before you do store them away—having dried them in a cool place, in an upright position—so that there is less chance for bacteria to accumulate. 

3. Take it slow and steady: While your shave regimen doesn’t need to take 20 minutes, it also shouldn’t take 20 seconds. Make sure to commit 5 minutes or more to the process, at the very least. Above all, please just don’t dry shave—ouch! And hey, if you find yourself in a hurry, maybe you should invest in an electric razor and just run that over your face for 3–60 seconds every day. It’ll keep you looking fresh minus the serious risk for razor burn. (Though a nice pre-shave oil and post-shave treatment will still be useful.) 

Read more about the optimal shave regimen for men, to cover all of the necessary bases.

4. Make confident, short strokes: Try to avoid going over the same patch of skin multiple times (which is another argument for keeping fresh, sharp blades). You can do this by taking short strokes and rinsing the blades between each one. Don’t let too much debris buildup in the blades, because this will only increase razor drag.

5. Reconsider the number of blades you’re using: While there are a lot of reputable brands making cartridge razors with 5 or 6 blades, it does beg the question: Why? The safety razor was the gold standard until 1971, so why did we need to reinvent that wheel? We’re not suggesting everyone switch to a single-blade safety razor, but we are saying that there are a lot of terrific cartridge razors with just 3 or 4 blades, too. The fewer blades you have running over your skin, the less chances for irritation.

If you’re already dealing with post-shave redness and need a razor burn treatment, then there are a few optimal solutions to ensure a quick recovery.