by Shaving is something you should approach with the same care as any other part of your skin care routine. There are many ways in which shaving can go wrong. With that in mind, we talked to some shaving experts to find out the most common mistakes you can make when shaving. Here we hope that by the end of this article, you will be well on your way to a smooth, painless shaving experience.
The Most Common Shaving Mistakes to Avoid
1. Do not prepare the area first
Just as the skin of the face can absorb better products when it is wet, so the skin of the body needs better shaving when the area has been prepared with hot water and steam. “It allows hair to soften,” says Karen Young, CEO and founder of OUI the People.
2. Forgetting to exfoliate in advance
If you feel that no matter how much shaving cream you use or how sharp your razor is, you just can not shave well, it may be the fault of dead skin cells. According to Leslie Tessler, the founder of Hanni, a new shaving brand, dead skin cells can make body hair removal more challenging. “Gentle exfoliation is a great way to get rid of dead skin cells and impurities before shaving and therefore support an extremely tight shave,” he says. “This is also a great step to add to your routine, especially if you have ingrown hairs or KP, as exfoliation helps unlock pores and smoothes the skin. “Having smoother skin before shaving will help you avoid the bumps that can result from shaving an uneven skin surface.”
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3. Exercising unnecessary pressure
As much as you want to remove your body hair, putting more pressure is not going to make the process go faster – it will actually make shaving even more incredible in time and energy in the long run. “With any razor, excessive pushing on the skin causes friction and, for many, results in irritation, ingrown hairs and razor burn,” Tessler warns.
While the type of razor you use makes shaving easier (more on that later), Young says less is more when it comes to pressure and waxing. “Remember to keep a light touch when shaving because it takes longer to heal irritations than to change your blade,” he says.
4. Using the wrong razor
While plastic razors are more common, DeoDoc Intimate Skincare, MD co-founder Hedieh Asadi recommends using a male razor, which tends to be heavier and has sharper blades. “They provide a sharp cut to the hair so they can grow back without growing inward,” he explains. “If the cut is dull, the hair is more likely to swell. A good razor can also help stop irritation after shaving, such as burning the razor.
As for why the weight of your razor matters, Tessler says it will apply the right pressure while shaving is flawless. “The issue with the traditional [plastic] “Multi-blade razors with a ‘rotating’ head mean that it takes pressure to have a tight shave,” says Tessler. “With a weighed safety razor, the weight of the handle does all the work, resulting in a much smoother, smoother, irritation-free shave.”
5. Do not use enough product to protect the skin from the blade
Even if you use the right razor, the above shaving cream can lead to a world of sores when removing body hair. With this in mind, Tessler emphasizes the importance of always providing a layer of protection between the blade and the skin. “It will provide less friction and minimize the risk of redness, razor burn and irritation – and fewer cuts and cuts,” he says.
6. Shave on dry skin in a hurry
To repeat, it is never a good idea to shave without some kind of shaving cream. While some razors, such as the Venus Radiant Skin Pearl Razor Starter Kit, come with a built-in conditioner, most do not. Therefore, Tessler reiterates the importance of providing a slip on your skin before you start shaving. “I know it’s my fault I left in a hurry, realizing I missed a spot and hurriedly shaved either on completely dry skin or with soap (which can be disastrous to rinse off when fully clothed).” she admits. “Obviously this can lead to excessive burning and irritation from the razor. That’s why we created the shaving pad. “Now we can have an incredibly soft, hydrated and non-irritating shave outside the shower – without having to rinse.”
7. Shave in one direction only
While we have long been told to shave with the grain, Young points out that most people have hair that grows in all directions — especially in the bikini area. “Try shaving, outside, inside or a combination of all three in these areas specifically,” he recommends. “Your skin is also more sensitive in the bikini area, so keeping your skin in shape while shaving will help you shave more carefully with fewer passes.”
That said, another possible mistake is shaving too many times in too many directions. Therefore, if you find that you are experiencing more hairs and irritations that have developed inward, going in many directions, Dr. Asadi recommends that you only go against the grain once.
8. Do not turn off blades / cartridges often enough
More than likely, we are all guilty of using an old razor once or twice in our lives. That said, it should be avoided at all costs. “Not only are dull blades less likely to provide a smooth shave, but from a hygienic point of view it is an absolute nightmare, especially with plastic cartridges,” says Tessler. “Just think of having three, four, five blades, with plastic in between, sitting in a wet environment for long periods of time… We’ve talked to many gynecologists who often see bacterial infections as a result. Fortunately, using a single blade avoids many of these risks and is also much less expensive (and better for the environment) than bulky cartridges, so you can turn them off often without feeling guilty. Our recommendation is to change your blades every two weeks for optimal performance. “
9. Do not care about your blade
How you take care of your razor between blade changes is also important. “Washing a razor with shaving products and hair after shaving helps the blade stay sharp and healthy,” says Tessler. “Leaving residue on the blade can lead to rust or buildup which could lead to skin irritation and cuts.”
10. Neglecting the routine after shaving
While you may think you are in the unknown as soon as you finish shaving and find no trace of shaving, Dr. Asadi says otherwise. “The area needs to be properly hydrated and cared for for several days after shaving,” he says.
“Exfoliation is also a great method if you want to prevent implantation after shaving, in addition to a proper shaving routine, it is also important to gently exfoliate the area every day for one to five days after shaving to permanently remove the dead skin cells. and let the hair grow easily and without obstacles. “
Takeaway
If you enjoy shaving, it is important to apply TLC to get it right. “Shaving is a skin injury, so when not taken care of properly, it can cause irritation such as ingrown hairs, razor burn and itching — especially on extremely sensitive vulvar skin,” says Dr. Asadi.
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