It’s odd to think that men run a sharp razor along their face and neck once a day, and women run it over their legs every few days. Shaving is not as dangerous as it sounds, but it should be done in a way that doesn’t damage the skin or causes ingrown hair follicles that can lead to unsightly zits and scars. These are the eight golden rules you should be following if you want your shaving experience to be the most effective. I also included a simple DIY guide to making your own Vitamin E enriched shaving cream, for both men and women.
1. Shave while showering or straight after
The hot water and steam will soften your skin and protect it from cuts during the shave. Shaving on dry skin can cause razor burn (a rash that develops when the skin’s protective layer is damaged) and cuts, as the blade doesn’t properly slide along the skin and nicks it. Additionally, if you’re already in the shower, it will save you time.
Pro tip: to prevent your mirror from fogging up, put some shaving cream on it, then wipe it off with a dry towel. Your mirror will remain clear even in a sauna!
2. Use shaving oil before you shave
I strongly recommend applying shaving oil before applying shaving cream or gel. The oil makes your skin smoother and gives it an extra layer of protection from cuts and razor burns.
Pro tip: You can even use shaving oil instead of shaving cream – this will save you money and space in your traveling kit.
3. Wash the razor after every shaving motion
Rinsing your razor after every motion sounds a lot of work and a waste of time, but it definitely isn’t. When we shave, the removed hair remains on the razor and every repetition reduces the quality and hygienic level of the shave. Wash your razor after every 1-2 repetitions and your skin will thank you for it.
While some people will tell you that shaving against the growth produces better results, they will be misleading you. Shaving in the opposite direction of hair growth may feel it produces smoother results, but this practice increases your liness of suffering from cuts and ingrown hairs.
Men: The skin around your neck is more delicate than your facial skin, and growth direction may vary, so pay attention when shaving that area.
Women: Pay attention to the growth direction.
5. Use a high-quality razor
You won’t use a shaving cream that harms your skin, so there’s no reason to use a razor that does the same. You may want to test a few different brands until you find the one that is right for you. Be mindful of the state of the razor and replace it when it wears out.
Women: It is recommended that you use the women’s razor, they are designed for more delicate skin, as opposed to the men’s razors.
6. Wash the shaved area with cold water when you’re done
The lower temperatures help reduce the volume of your blood vessels. This will prevent excessive bleeding and decrease the liness of skin infections.
7. Use a moisturizer or oil after you shave
Men: Using aftershave is mainly suitable to disinfect cuts, so if you followed the above instructions, your shave should be smooth and free of nicks. Professionals agree that the use of moisturizer is just as effective as aftershave in protecting the skin, but will not dry out your skin as the alcohol in the aftershave does.
Women: Applying coconut oil or baby oil on your skin, then dabbing it off with a towel right after shaving will give your skin a beautiful shine.
8. For women: Remove the hairs from the root
While some women think that shaving and waxing produces the same results, but in fact, they don’t. Shaving only cuts the hairs, while waxing removes it from the root – this prevents the formation of ingrown hairs. In addition, waxing removes the top layer of dead skin giving you a smoother and cleaner look when compared to shaving. Lastly, it’s not recommended to use a razor along the bikini line and shins.
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