However of all of the methods to take away undesirable hair, the outdated standby stays some individuals’s most well-liked technique, says dermatology resident Taylor Bullock, MD.
“Utilizing a razor is solely the best and most handy strategy to take away undesirable hair for many people,” he notes. “You are able to do it shortly, at house and it’s cheap.”
It’s not unusual to battle razor burn and different negative effects of your shaving routine, although. Fortunately, there are some ideas and tips to get that smoother, safer shave out of your trusted razor. Dr. Bullock shares them with us.
Ideas for a clean shave
Whether or not it’s in your face, underarms, legs or extra intimate areas of your physique, nobody needs cuts, ingrown hairs and different undesirable results of shaving. And in response to Dr. Bullock, you don’t should.
1. Bathe earlier than shaving
Shaving dry pores and skin will increase the danger of cuts and irritation. And shaving dry pores and skin can stop you from eradicating useless pores and skin skins (aka exfoliating). Dr. Bullock says exfoliation is among the prime advantages of shaving. Eradicating these useless pores and skin cells helps enhance the feel and energy of your pores and skin, by stimulating collagen manufacturing.
You’ll get a more practical exfoliation in case you soften your pores and skin earlier than shaving. Save your shave for the top of your bathtub or bathe time. After a minimum of 10 minutes in heat water, your pores and skin will likely be adequately softened for max exfoliation.
2. Exfoliate earlier than shaving
Along with letting heat water do the trick of making ready your pores and skin for a clean shave, you possibly can assist issues alongside, too. Traditional exfoliation merchandise like loofahs and bath scrubs are an enormous profit. Give your pores and skin a very good rub previous to shaving to loosen up the useless pores and skin. Exfoliating first helps hold the razor from getting overloaded with useless pores and skin cells, which reduces its effectivity.
3. Use cooler water
Lots of people favor their water on the steamy aspect after they bathe or bathe. However when it’s time to shave, you’ll need to cool issues down a bit. Further scorching water can soften your pores and skin an excessive amount of, leaving you extra susceptible to cuts.
4. Use shaving cream, not cleaning soap
Many individuals mistakenly imagine cleaning soap and water present ample lubricant for serving to the razor glide alongside your pores and skin, however Dr. Bullock says utilizing cleaning soap on your shave might have an astringent impact. Meaning it may dry your pores and skin out, resulting in flaky pores and skin. Not the vibe you’re going for.
As an alternative, use a foam or gel formulated particularly for shaving. Or you possibly can attempt hair conditioner or physique oil. These merchandise will assist the razor glide alongside extra simply and hold your pores and skin tender and supple properly after you dry off.
5. Shaving course issues
For a smoother shave and more practical hair removing, you sometimes need to shave towards the grain. Meaning understanding which means your hair grows and shaving in the wrong way.
For instance: Shave upward on your legs, beginning at your ankle, heading towards your knee for every stroke.
On your underarms, you need to go each up and down. Begin by going upward to get the uncovered hair after which head downward to get to the basis.
However with regards to shaving your pubic hair, if that’s your factor, you might have a call to make. For probably the most half, pubic hair will develop downward. If a better shave is the aim, you need to go towards the grain. If you happen to’re extra apprehensive about avoiding razor burn, go along with the grain.
6. Rinse with cool water
Heat water opens your pores. You need that whilst you’re shaving, however not once you’re by way of.
After you shave, Dr. Bullock recommends rinsing totally with heat water to take away all traces of your shaving cream. Then, rinse with cool water to shut these pores again up and forestall micro organism, dust and different irritants from getting in.
7. Finish with moisturizer
Proper after toweling off, apply a hydrating moisturizer. That can assist stop flakiness and dry pores and skin. If you happen to use self-tanning lotion, that is the time to use it.
Dr. Bullock notes that the method of wax hair removing leaves pores open. If you happen to wax your undesirable hair after which apply self-tanning lotion, the product can enter your pores. That may depart you with a freckled look quite than a clean tan.
8. Ignore myths about thicker hair regrowth
“Tales abound that shaving stimulates hair development and makes it return thicker and sooner than ever earlier than,” Dr. Bullock says. “This simply isn’t true.”
Hair growth rate and quantity is managed from inside your physique and don’t have anything to do with the exterior act of shaving. New development of about an inch per thirty days is regular.
9. Shield your pores and skin from the solar
After shaving, your pores and skin turns into extra delicate, so the solar’s damaging rays may cause extra harm than ever. Utilizing sunscreen always — not simply when lounging on the pool or seaside — is essential.
“Ideally, you’ll wait 24 hours earlier than exposing freshly shaved pores and skin to prolonged intervals within the solar,” Dr. Bullock states. “Whenever you do enterprise out to benefit from the hotter climate, use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF of a minimum of 30 and reapply after swimming in water or after sweating.”
Even on not-so-sunny days, daylight can harm your pores and skin. That’s even true in case you’re simply driving in your automobile or going for a fast stroll on an overcast day. Each day is an efficient day for sunscreen.
10. Change your razor frequently
How typically it’s worthwhile to exchange your razor will rely on how typically you utilize it.
If you happen to discover an accumulation of gunk or waste in your razor, don’t attempt to clear it out with a brush or different device. If the waste doesn’t rinse out simply with a stream of water, it’s time for a substitute.
Even when it nonetheless cuts properly, a razor with impacted waste can introduce micro organism into open pores or cuts and trigger an an infection.
