Beard Burn: Causes, Symptoms, & Prevention

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Avoid getting a rash after kissing your bearded partner
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If you have a partner who has a beard, you may have experienced an irritating rash after kissing them. This is called beard burn, and it’s caused by the friction of their facial hair rubbing against your skin. Luckily, it usually clears up on its own with the help of some hydrocortisone cream. In this article, we’ll teach you everything you need to know about beard burn, including what it is , what it looks like, and how to treat it on your face and genitals . Plus, we spoke with hair and skin experts for their best advice on preventing beard burn and helping it clear up faster.

How do you treat beard burn?

Beard burn is a form of skin irritation caused by the friction of facial hair rubbing against your skin. To treat it, apply a gentle moisturizer and hydrocortisone cream. Use a cold compress to reduce inflammation, and avoid kissing your partner until the burn goes away.

Section 1 of 9:

What is beard burn?

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  1. Also known as “stache rash,” beard burn is a type of contact dermatitis (or skin irritation) that is caused by the friction of someone else’s facial hair rubbing against your skin. This often occurs during kissing or oral sex. [1]
    • The repeated friction causes inflammation and irritation, which can lead to the loss of the skin’s natural moisture.
    • In general, stubble causes more irritation than longer beards because shorter hairs are coarser and cause more friction. Longer beards can still cause irritation, however.
    • Beard burn may look and feel similar to razor burn, but it isn’t the same thing. Razor burn only occurs after shaving.
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Section 2 of 9:

What does beard burn look like?

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  1. Beard burn often appears as a red, itchy rash. The friction of the facial hair rubbing against the skin often causes the skin to become inflamed, red, itchy, and dry. In severe cases, beard burn may cause a red rash that’s swollen, painful, and bumpy. [2] While beard burn can occur anywhere facial hair touches the skin, it’s commonly found on the lips and face because of kissing and on the outer parts of the genital area because of oral sex.
    • In some cases, beard burn may also cause small, pimple-like bumps. These can sometimes be pus-filled, as well.
Section 3 of 9:

Getting Rid of Beard Burn on Your Face

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  1. 1
    Apply a moisturizing cream to soothe your skin. Beard burn often makes the skin dry and itchy, so applying a moisturizing cream can help soothe your symptoms. Wash your skin with a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser, then apply a moisturizing gel or cream that contains soothing ingredients, like aloe vera , chamomile , or colloidal oatmeal . [3]
  2. 2
    Reduce irritation with hydrocortisone cream. If your beard burn is relatively mild, applying a hydrocortisone cream may help clear up irritation. Many hydrocortisone creams are available over the counter, but if you have a more severe case, talk to your doctor about a prescription option. Follow the cream’s instructions to apply it properly. [4]
    • Do not use creams or ointments that contain antibiotics unless otherwise directed. Products that contain hydrogen peroxide can also cause further irritation.
    • Do a patch test before using any creams, ointments, or other OTC topical medications if you haven’t used them before.
  3. 3
    Apply a cold compress to reduce inflammation. If your skin is inflamed or painful, apply a cold compress to help soothe your symptoms. This can be a bag of ice, an instant cold pack , or a cloth soaked in cold water. Wrap the compress with a cloth and hold it to the area for 10-20 minutes at a time. Wait 1-2 hours before reapplying. [5]
    • This also helps soothe beard burn on your genitals.
  4. 4
    Avoid heavy kissing until the burn heals. If you have a beard burn, it’s best to avoid doing the activity that caused it until it clears up. [6] While you may not have to avoid kissing altogether, try to avoid contact with your partner’s facial hair as much as possible by focusing on lip contact.
    • Don’t do anything else that could irritate the skin, either, like shaving or scratching.
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Section 4 of 9:

Getting Rid of Beard Burn on Your Genitals

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  1. If your beard burn is very itchy, try taking an over-the-counter antihistamine, like Benadryl, to relieve your symptoms. Similarly, over-the-counter pain relievers, like Tylenol, may help reduce any pain caused by the burn. Follow the instructions on the bottle to take them properly, and make sure they won’t interfere with any other medications you’re taking. [7]
    • This also applies if your beard burn is on your face or another part of your body.
  2. 2
    Take a sitz bath to soothe irritation. If the itchiness and irritation are getting to you, consider taking a sitz bath to soothe the area. Fill your sitz bath (or your bathtub) with a few inches of warm water. Gently lower yourself onto the seat, and remain there until your skin feels better. If the water gets cold, add more warm water. [8]
  3. 3
    Apply topical corticosteroid ointments made for the genital area. If home remedies don’t seem to work, it may be time to see your doctor and ask about corticosteroid ointments (steroid creams). These anti-inflammatory ointments are applied directly to the skin to reduce inflammation, redness, and itching. [9]
    • Do not use creams or ointments that contain antibiotics unless otherwise directed. Do a patch test before using any treatments you haven’t used before.
  4. 4
    Avoid sexual activity until the burn goes away. While it may not be ideal, if you have beard burn on your genital area, it’s best to avoid sexual activity until the burn heals. Sexual activity causes friction that may make your burn worse. It can also increase your chances of developing an STI, as the beard burn may have caused small cuts in your skin. [10]
    • If you really can’t wait until the beard burn heals completely, practice safe sex by using a condom or another physical barrier. This will help prevent STIs, as you may have some cuts from the burn.
  5. 5
    Don’t shave until the burn heals. Shaving irritates the skin even when it’s healthy, so shaving skin that’s already inflamed and irritated could make your symptoms even worse. You also risk cutting yourself, which could lead to infection, or getting razor burn on top of your beard burn. [11]
    • The same goes for having beard burn on your face; avoid shaving the area until it’s healed.
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Section 5 of 9:

How to Prevent Beard Burn

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  1. 1
    Ask your partner to moisturize their beard. There’s always a risk of beard burn if your partner has facial hair, but there are a few things that may help prevent it. Ask your partner to keep their facial hair well-groomed and moisturized with beard oils and conditioners . This can help soften the hair and reduce friction. [12]
    • “Apply beard oil whenever your beard seems dry,” advises professional barber Timmy Yanchun. “For some reason, a lot of guys think that you can only apply beard oil once a day, but if your beard feels dry, apply beard oil so you’re always moisturizing that hair and keeping it healthy.”
  2. 2
    Keep your own skin moisturized. If you get beard burn on your face, regularly apply a barrier cream and/or moisturizer. This can help prevent irritation and redness caused by moisture, friction, or contact with harsh substances. Apply moisturizer and/or barrier cream after washing your face or right after you get out of the shower. [13]
    • “The term ‘moisturizer’ can be misleading,” explains dermatologist Lydia Shedlofsky, DO. “Moisturizer cream and lotion do not put water back into the skin. They simply prevent water loss and can restore the top layer of the skin. Therefore, applying facial cream or moisturizer should be performed shortly after washing or wetting the face to prevent water loss.”
  3. 3
    See if your partner will grow their facial hair out. Often, stubble causes beard burn more frequently than longer beards because the hair is shorter and coarser. While beard burn can occur with contact with any facial hair, see if your partner will grow their beard out so the hair is softer. Ask them to keep their facial hair trimmed to a medium length to see if it helps. [14]
  4. 4
    Ask your partner to shave their beard. Since beard burn is caused by the friction of beard-to-skin contact, one of the only surefire ways to make sure it doesn’t occur is to remove the facial hair altogether. Ask your partner if they’ll completely shave their beard before engaging in sexual activity. [15]
    EXPERT TIP

    Juan Sabino

    Professional Barber
    Juan Sabino is a Professional Barber and the Owner of Juan's Barber Shop, a barbershop based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Juan has over 20 years of male grooming experience and over eight years of professional barber experience. He specializes in combovers, barber fades, and tapers and is focused on improving men's overall wellness.
    Juan Sabino
    Professional Barber

    Shave your beard with the grain. Shave it in the way your hair grows so your skin doesn’t get irritated. Lather and feel the spots where there’s still hair. Then, glide the blade against the hair pattern to clean it right off.

  5. 5
    Avoid kissing or oral sex while your partner has a beard. This probably isn’t ideal, but another option is to avoid heavy kissing or oral sex if your partner has a beard. When you kiss, keep things gentle and focus on lip contact to help avoid irritation. If your partner won’t get rid of their beard, avoiding physical contact with it is the only other definite way to prevent beard burn. [16]
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Section 6 of 9:

Who gets beard burn?

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  1. Anyone can get beard burn, but those with sensitive skin are more susceptible. Anyone can develop beard burn after coming into contact with facial hair. However, those with sensitive skin are more prone to irritation because of their skin’s heightened reactivity to external factors, like friction. Those with dry skin can also be more susceptible, as the friction strips away natural oils from the skin. [17]
    • If you have skin conditions like rosacea or eczema, be extra careful if your partner has facial hair.
    • You’re also at higher risk of developing beard burn if you have a sunburn or rash or if you’ve recently had a chemical peel. Some medications and skin products, like retinol and exfoliators, can also leave you more susceptible.
Section 7 of 9:

When will beard burn go away?

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  1. Beard burns usually heal within 3 days to 3 weeks. The amount of time it takes for your beard burn to heal depends on its severity. Mild cases typically clear up much faster than more severe ones. On average, expect your beard burn to heal within 1-2 weeks. To speed up the process, avoid scratching it and use cool compresses and anti-itch medication for relief. [18]
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Section 8 of 9:

Complications Caused by Beard Burn

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  1. Beard burn can sometimes increase your risk of an STI. Beard burns are often caused by sexual activity, and having a friction burn can sometimes increase your chances of developing an STI (sexually transmitted infection). This is because the burn can lead to minor cuts in the skin, allowing bacteria and germs into the body. If you suspect you have an STI, see a doctor as soon as possible. Here are some common symptoms of STIs: [19]
    • Unusual discharge from the vagina or penis
    • Pain during urination
    • Skin growths or lumps around the genital area or mouth
    • Itchiness in the genital area
    • Warts in your mouth, throat, or around your genitals
    • Blisters and sores on or around your genitals
    • Unusual vaginal bleeding
Section 9 of 9:

When to See a Doctor

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  1. In most cases, beard burn is generally mild and will heal over time, especially with the help of home remedies. However, there are some instances when you should contact a healthcare provider. [20] They include:
    • Signs of infection (STI or otherwise)
    • The rash doesn’t go away within 3 weeks
    • The rash continues to worsen even when avoiding kissing or oral sex
    • You’re experiencing bleeding, oozing, or pus-filled blisters in the area
    • The skin becomes raw
    • There is a very intense itch alongside other symptoms
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/beard-burn?srsltid=AfmBOopiHLUC69ak4984c9IlE3IlG5W3VdaXEhSXBvbbZAaPXxrx5lC7
      2. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17413-rashes-red-skin
      3. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/itchy-skin/symptoms-causes/syc-20355006
      4. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17413-rashes-red-skin
      5. ↑ https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/ice-packs-vs-warm-compresses-for-pain
      6. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/6173-contact-dermatitis
      7. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17413-rashes-red-skin
      8. ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002299.htm
      9. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17413-rashes-red-skin
      1. ↑ https://www.ucsf.edu/news/2016/12/405256/pubic-hair-grooming-linked-sexually-transmitted-infections
      2. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23583-razor-burn
      3. ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-secrets/face/healthy-beard
      4. ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-basics/dry/pick-moisturizer
      5. ↑ https://www.gq.com/story/couples-beard-burn-save-her-face
      6. ↑ https://www.self.com/story/avoid-post-make-out-beard-burn
      7. ↑ https://www.self.com/story/avoid-post-make-out-beard-burn
      8. ↑ https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/beard-burn?srsltid=AfmBOopiHLUC69ak4984c9IlE3IlG5W3VdaXEhSXBvbbZAaPXxrx5lC7
      9. ↑ https://baldandbeards.com/beard-burn/
      10. ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sexually-transmitted-infections-stis/
      11. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/6173-contact-dermatitis

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