What is a common cause of skin irritation after shaving?

Ingrown hairs are a common cause of skin irritation following shaving due to the hair curling back into the skin instead of growing outward. This often leads to inflammation, redness, and discomfort, as the body reacts to the hair that is trapped below the surface. Shaving can exacerbate this condition, especially if the hair is coarse or if the shave wasn’t conducted properly, resulting in hair that is more prone to becoming ingrown.

While dry skin, sunburn, and excessive oil can also lead to irritation, they do not specifically relate to the immediate aftermath of shaving as ingrown hairs do. Dry skin can create a barrier that may cause razor burn, but it is not as directly linked to the shaving process as ingrown hairs. Sunburn can lead to general irritation of the skin but is often unrelated to shaving itself. Excessive oil can create a barrier that may clog pores but does not typically lead to the specific irritation associated with ingrown hairs. Thus, ingrown hairs clearly stand out as a direct result of improper shaving techniques or hair growth patterns.