Shaving is a popular form of do-it-yourself hair removal. It is cheaper, easier and less painful than other methods like waxing, electrolysis or plucking. The downside of shaving is that it isn’t permanent and must be done regularly and often to keep skin smooth. Razors can be irritating, however, so you should take care to protect your skin and avoid razor burn and bumps.
Prepare the Area
If you’ve never shaved before, or if you haven’t shaved an area for several months and the hair is long, use a sharp pair of scissors to clip the hair before shaving. This will make your job a little easier, because the razor won’t get filled with long hairs. With shorter hair, you won’t have to go over your skin several times with the razor, which can cause irritation.
If you have very sensitive skin, applying unscented lotion or oil to your skin before you get it wet can help prevent razor burn. Razor burn is an unsightly and often itchy rash that occurs from scraping the skin with a razor. If you are prone to ingrown hairs, scrub the area with a washcloth or loofah before shaving.
Choose a Good Razor
There are many types of razors available, and you might have to try a few before you find one that works for you. Razors designed for women usually have larger, pivoting heads, triple or quadruple blades and moisturizing strips or soft rubber pads to make shaving more comfortable. Some people like using electric razors while others find them inconvenient and painful.
Make sure the razor you’re using is new and sharp. Dull blades cause you to use more pressure while shaving, which can irritate your skin. A well-used razor often has tiny nicks on the surface that can snag hair or your skin and make little cuts.
Use Warm Water
Before shaving, soak your skin in warm or hot water in the shower or bath. This softens the skin and hair and makes it easier to shave. Rinse the razor often as you shave, because the blades get filled up with hair and dead skin. If the blades are clogged, it makes you apply more pressure to cut the hair.
Apply Shaving Product
Use shaving gel, shaving lotion or shaving oil to moisturize your skin and lubricate the area. Shaving with soap can dry out your skin, and shaving with just water can cause irritation. The shaving product will also help you keep track of where you’ve shaved, especially if you have light hair. Shaving products are a matter of personal preference, but in general, it’s better to avoid strong perfumes which irritate many people’s skin.
Take Your Time
While you shave, it’s best to go slowly. Shave with short strokes, and be especially careful around your knees and ankles, where it’s easy to nick your skin. Hold your arms up high to pull the skin taut while shaving your underarms, and use your other hand to pull the skin behind your knees and in the pubic area.
Go the Right Direction
Pay attention to the direction of hair growth, and learn which direction is best for you to shave. You’ll get the closest shave if you go opposite to the direction in which the hair is growing, so you should shave in an upwards motion for your legs and pubic area. Hair in the underarms can grow a few different directions. Some people with sensitive skin find that shaving against the growth causes more razor burn and itching, so you might have to shave with the growth and do it more often to keep skin smooth.
Aftercare
After shaving, rinse the area well with clean water and dry it carefully without rubbing. Apply an unscented oil or lotion to replenish your skin’s lost moisture. Products that contain vitamin E or aloe vera can help your skin repair from shaving. If your skin is irritated and itchy in the days after shaving, soothe it with an ice cube or cold washcloth, and apply more lotion or oil.
