Shaving is perhaps the most common way of getting rid of unwanted hair, but it can have numerous uncomfortable side effects on both men and women if it is not done properly. Shaving can cause itching, razor burn, bumps and ingrown hairs, and painful cuts. Luckily, there are plenty of tips and tricks you can try to achieve a smoother, easier shave. Here are five hair removal and shaving hacks for both men and women:
1. Exfoliate prior to shaving for a closer shave
Exfoliating the skin before shaving eliminates dirt and dead skin cells from the surface, keeping the skin clean, unclogging pores, and clearing a path for the razor to glide more smoothly across the skin. Exfoliation also helps raise the hair, resulting in a less painful shave. Additionally, exfoliating gives the shaving cream a chance to cozy up against the skin and provide much-needed protection from irritation and razor bumps while you shave.
2. Shave in the shower
Shaving in the shower is easy, fast, convenient, and much more pleasant than attempting a dry shave. The warmth and heat from the shower both softens the hair and opens your pores to make the skin around the shaving area less sensitive. Shaving in the shower also makes it easier to run water over your body to remove stray hairs and shaving cream after your shave.
3. Change razor blades frequently
A contemporary razor blade cannot be sharpened, and therefore will get blunter every time you shave your face or body. The blunter your blade gets, the more it strains your skin as it cuts through your hair, resulting in a poor shave overall. Furthermore, a blunt blade leads to irritation and rashes. Thus, it’s critical to change your razor blades when they wear out. If you take care of your razors and clean them regularly, the high-quality ones should last up to seven shaves, while the poor quality, cheaper razors will likely require replacement after two to three shaves. Moreover, throw away your razor if it accumulates muck; it may cause infections and nicks if you use it on your skin.
4. Moisturize after shaving to prevent razor burns
Razors are designed to cut hair and remove the dead skin around the area, but shaving often leaves the skin prone to dryness in the process. This is because the skin tends to lose accumulated moisture when exposed to water for extended periods. To counteract this, use a moisturizing lotion or oil after shaving to keep your skin nourished and soothe any razor burns. Try to use moisturizers with skin-soothing ingredients, such as aloe vera and colloidal oatmeal, as recommended by dermatologists.
5. Use hair removal creams
Hair removal creams work by creating a chemical reaction in the hair, causing it to expand and break the disulfide bonds and keratin proteins. As a result, the hair becomes weak and can be wiped away without the need for tweezers or razors. The depilatory or hair removal cream can also penetrate the hair follicle and break it down further than shaving can. This means that, when you use hair removal creams, you might be able to go a few extra days without repeating the routine.
