How to Shave

Face

Use a razor with a sharp blade. Shaving any part of your body with a dull, clogged-up blade is a recipe for nicks and ingrown hairs. If you’re using a traditional safety razor or disposable razor, make sure it’s clean and relatively new. Use newer ones for your public areas, and use older ones for your armpits or other areas. Dermatologists recommend changing blades or throwing out your disposable razor after 5-7 shaves. Never use a razor that’s full of gunk and hair, even if the blade is still sharp. If you get ingrown hairs, razor burn, or acne frequently, try using an electric shaver instead of a razor. You won’t get as close a shave, but it will be gentler on your skin.

Wash your face with a gentle cleanser and warm water. Shaving with dry skin puts you at greater risk of getting cuts and ingrown hairs. Ideally, shave your face right after you shower, when your skin has had plenty of time to soak in the warm water and your hair is soft and wet. When you wash your face, use a gentle, moisturizing face wash without harsh or drying ingredients, like alcohol. This will help prevent irritation and dryness, which could make you more prone to nicks and breakouts. Don’t dry your face when you’re done. It should still be damp before you start shaving.

Apply a shaving gel or cream to the areas you want to shave. If you are prone to breakouts or irritation, look for a gel or cream that’s formulated for sensitive skin. Squeeze or spray a little into your hand, lather it up, and rub it onto your face. Let the cream sit for 2-3 minutes before you shave. That will give it time to soften and condition your hair and skin.

Shave in the direction of the hair growth. Experts are divided on whether you should shave with or against the grain. However, most dermatologists advise shaving in the direction of hair growth to prevent irritation. Stick to going with the grain if you tend to get razor bumps and ingrown hairs. On the other hand, shaving against the grain will give you a smoother, closer shave. Experiment with both techniques to see what works best for your skin. Use short, light strokes and take care not to apply too much pressure so that you don’t cut yourself.

Pull your skin tight when shaving tricky areas. It can be difficult to get a close shave in spots where your skin curves, like your upper lip, the space below your bottom lip, and the curve between your jaw and neck. Use one hand to gently stretch your skin in these areas while you shave, so that your razor will have a smoother, flatter surface to work on. You might have to spend more time on some of these areas to get a smooth shave. Don’t go over the same spot so much that you scrape or irritate your skin, though.

Rinse the razor after every swipe. As you shave, your razor can quickly get clogged with hair, shaving cream, and dead skin cells. To keep your razor working properly and avoid irritating your skin, rinse your razor under running water between strokes.

Splash cold water on your face after rinsing with warm water. After you finish shaving, rinse your face carefully with warm water to remove any remaining shaving cream, shaved hairs, and dead skin. Then, splash on some cold water to tighten up your pores. Warm water is best for washing away residue from your shaving cream or gel, which can cause irritation and breakouts if you don’t rinse it off thoroughly. A cold-water rinse can also help soothe any inflammation and irritation after you shave. If your skin feels really sore, hold a washcloth soaked in cold water against your face for a few minutes.

Massage a gentle aftershave or moisturizer into your skin. While your skin is still damp, apply your favorite moisturizer or aftershave. Keeping your skin moisturized will help prevent irritation and dryness after you shave. Choose a gentle product with soothing ingredients, like aloe or colloidal oatmeal. Don’t use aftershave products that contain alcohol or strong perfumes. These harsh ingredients can dry out your skin and make irritation worse.

Legs

Wash your legs with soap and warm water. You’ll get the smoothest shave if you soften your skin and hair with warm water, first. Take a warm bath or shower and let your legs soak for at least 10 minutes. Use a mild, gentle soap or body wash that won’t dry out and irritate your skin.

Exfoliate your legs gently to remove dead skin. Use an exfoliating scrub or body wash, or lightly buff your legs with a loofah or soft scrub brush in the shower or bath. This will prevent your razor from getting clogged as easily, and will also give you a closer, smoother shave. Exfoliation can also help release ingrown hairs from a previous shave.

Slather on a shaving gel or cream. Foaming gels or creams work well, but you can also use hair conditioner or body oil. Smooth your product of choice over your legs, and be sure to cover all the areas you want to shave. Don’t try to shave your legs using just soap and water. Soap doesn’t create enough lubrication for the razor, and it can also dry out your skin and make irritation worse.

Sit on the edge of your tub if possible. You could also bring a waterproof stool into your shower, if there’s room. Although you can shave your legs while standing, sitting will make it much easier to reach everything. If you have a hand mirror, keep it nearby so you can use to see what you’re doing in trickier areas, like the backs of your thighs.

Shave against the grain unless you’re prone to ingrown hairs. The legs are usually less prone to breakouts and ingrown hairs than more delicate areas, like the face and pubic area. To get a closer shave, go against the direction of the hair growth. On most parts of your legs, the hair grows downwards. This means, for example, that you’d start at your ankles and shave upwards when shaving your lower leg. If you start getting a lot of razor bumps or breakouts, switch to shaving in the direction of hair growth.

Use short, gentle strokes to prevent cuts. Be especially careful in tricky spots like the curve of your knee or the area where the thigh meets the groin. Don’t apply too much pressure, since you could accidentally scrape or irritate your skin. Don’t forget to rinse the razor between strokes! Wash away any obvious shaving cream, dead hair, and gunk in the blades.

Start with your lower legs. Approaching your leg in sections will make it easier to do a careful, thorough job. Begin with the lower part of your leg, starting at the ankle and working your way up toward your knee. Work methodically and in short sections. This will make it easier to be sure you don’t miss any spots.

Hold your leg straight when shaving your knees. The knee is bumpy and curved, which can make it harder to get a clean shave and avoid cutting yourself. Straightening your leg will create a flatter surface to work with. Work slowly and carefully in this tricky area. It may help to pull the skin above your knee tight with your other hand as you shave.

Finish with the upper leg. After you shave your knee, move on to your thigh. Continue working in short, light strokes. Be extra careful in the delicate inner thigh and groin area, since these spots are more prone to razor burn and bumps. The hair in your inner thigh area may be thicker and curlier than the hair on your lower legs. If this is the case, or if you’re especially prone to razor bumps in the area, shave with the grain instead of against it.

Rub your hands over your legs to find spots you missed. After you’re done shaving, carefully feel your legs all over. If you feel hair anywhere, apply a little more shaving cream or gel and go over the area again. Using a hand mirror can also help you spot hair you might have missed.

Rinse your legs with cool water. After you’re done shaving your legs, turn on the bath or shower and give them a quick, cool rinse. This will wash away any residual hair, shaving cream, and dead skin. The cool water will also help tighten up your pores and reduce irritation. Cosmetics such as self-tanners will go on more smoothly and evenly if you rinse your legs with cold water before applying them post-shave.

Apply a gentle moisturizer. Pat your legs dry with a clean, dry towel. Make sure not to dry your skin completely—it should still be a little damp. Then, smooth on a gentle moisturizer to keep your skin soft and supple. Use a moisturizer that’s free of harsh ingredients, like alcohol or strong perfumes. You don’t want to irritate any nicks, cuts, or scrapes!

Armpits

Clean your armpits with soap and warm water. Jump in the shower or bath and thoroughly wash your armpits. Use soap and scrub gently to remove sweat and residue from deodorant. Let the hair soak for several minutes to soften it up.

Apply a shaving cream or gel. Massage the gel over your entire underarm. This will not only make it easier for the razor to glide over your skin, but can also help longer hair stand up so it’s easier to shave. In a pinch, you can use hair conditioner or body oil. However, shaving cream or gel is usually best for the sensitive skin in your armpits.

Pull your skin taut to get a closer shave. Your armpits have a curved shape, which can make them harder to shave. While holding the razor in one hand, use the other to gently stretch your skin so you can pull the razor over it more easily.

Shave upwards first, then downwards. Armpit hair is thick and grows in different directions, making it tough to get a close shave. First shave up to cut the main shaft of the hair, then go back in the opposite direction so you can get at the hair closer to the root. Shave in short strokes so your razor doesn’t get clogged with hair. Rinse the blade between strokes to get rid of built-up gunk. If you get a lot of razor bumps and ingrown hairs in your armpits, stick to shaving in just one direction. You can also try using an electric shaver. Choose a model that has built-in lotion or moisturizer to reduce irritation.

Rinse your armpits with warm, then cold water. Use warm water to thoroughly rinse away any shaved hair and shaving cream residue. Then, rinse your underarms again with a splash of cool water. This will help calm any irritation and tighten up your pores.

Wait to apply deodorant until your skin dries. Immediately after you shave, your armpits might be a little irritated, especially if you nicked or scraped your skin. To avoid stinging and discomfort, wait a while for your armpits to dry out and let any inflammation subside before you put on deodorant or antiperspirant. You can also use a gentler alternative, like a baby powder or a deodorant made for sensitive skin. While putting deodorant on freshly shaved skin can be painful, it likely isn’t dangerous. Recent studies don’t show any link between deodorant use and breast cancer or other serious health conditions, even when you use it on broken skin.

Pubic Area

Grab a hand mirror so you can see what you’re doing. Your pubic area has a lot of folds and curves, so shaving in this sensitive area can be a real challenge! Use a mirror and work in a well-lit spot so you can really see what’s going on down there.

Trim your pubic hair short with scissors or clippers before shaving. It’s hard to shave long, dense hair. Before you start shaving, carefully snip away as much hair as you can. Use a clean, sharp pair of haircutting scissors. Be very careful not to cut or jab yourself! You can also use an electric trimmer. If you go this route, make sure your hair is totally dry first. Don’t use the trimmer in the shower, since there’s a danger of electric shock.

Soak the area in warm water for a few minutes. Once the hair is trimmed, jump in the bath or shower. This will help soften your hair and skin so it’s easier to shave. Try to soak your skin and hair for at least 10 minutes for the best results.

Use a new, sharp razor. Your pubic area is really sensitive and prone to razor bumps, so don’t use a dirty old razor! Always use a brand-new blade. If possible, use a razor with a built-in moisturizing strip.

Cover your pubic area with a moisturizing shaving gel. Lather up with some foaming gel or cream, or use a hair conditioner or body oil. Look for a product with soothing ingredients, like aloe. As you work, apply more cream or gel as often as you need to.

Pull the skin tight with one hand as you shave. Because of all the curves, folds, and soft skin in the genital area, it can be really tricky to get a smooth shave. To prevent your razor from dragging, use one hand to gently stretch your skin while you shave with the other hand. Take care not to use too much pressure or pull the skin too tight, or you could nick yourself.

Shave in short strokes in the direction of hair growth. Use short, smooth strokes and go with the grain of the hair. This will help prevent ingrown hairs and razor bumps, which are very common in the groin and bikini area. Work very slowly and carefully, especially in sensitive areas like the inner edges of the labia (the lips around your vagina) or around the testicles (balls). Some healthcare experts recommend going against the grain for a closer shave. If you try this, observe your skin carefully over the next few days. If you notice bumps and breakouts, stick to shaving with the grain next time. Rinse the razor between strokes to prevent clogs. A gunky razor is more likely to cause irritation and razor bumps.

Trim instead of shaving in highly sensitive areas. If you have a penis and testicles, don’t let the razor or trimmer come into direct contact with them! Use your hand to gently pull the hair away from your body and trim it as close to the skin as you can with clippers or scissors, a few hairs at a time. You might also prefer to use this approach in the area around your anus, or on the inner edges of your labia if you have a vagina.

Wash the area with warm water and pat it dry. When you’re done, rinse away all the shaved hair and shaving cream. Use a clean, dry towel to gently dry the area. Don’t rub your skin with the towel, or you could irritate the sensitive, freshly shaved skin.

Smooth on a gentle moisturizer. Baby oil or aloe vera gel are good options that shouldn’t irritate your skin too much. Avoid aftershaves, which are far too harsh for the sensitive groin area. It’s common for your skin to feel itchy or irritated in the pubic area as the hair starts to grow back in. If you develop ingrown hairs or razor bumps, let your skin rest and heal for a few days before you shave again. Gently exfoliate the area with a loofah when you wash to help remove dead skin and release trapped hairs.

Chest, Back, or Belly

Take a shower or bath with warm water. Soak for at least 10 minutes to soften your hair and skin. This will make shaving a lot easier and reduce the chance of nicks and scrapes.

Exfoliate to remove dead skin. Your torso can get pretty rough and bumpy, which makes it easier to cut yourself or clog up your razor. Grab a loofah or a washcloth and gently buff your skin all over, then rinse off. You can also use a gentle exfoliating scrub, such as a sugar or oatmeal scrub. Smooth it over your skin with your fingers in small, circular motions.

Trim or clip longer hair before you shave it. Body hair can get pretty dense. To keep your razor from getting clogged up, use a trimmer or electric clippers to cut the hair close to the skin. If you’re dealing with an area like your chest or your back, you might want to stick to just trimming the hair short, or use an alternative method like waxing or a hair removal cream. Shaved hair in these areas can get very prickly and uncomfortable as it grows in.

Slather on a shaving cream or gel. Just like with any other part of your body, you’ll need to lubricate the skin on your torso to get a good shave. Use shaving cream, body oil, or hair conditioner rub it over all the areas you’d like to shave.

Shave with the grain to prevent razor burn. The back and shoulders are already high-risk areas for acne. Unfortunately, shaving these areas can lead to breakouts and razor burn. Protect your skin by carefully shaving in the direction of the hair growth, using a clean, sharp blade. Rinse the razor frequently between strokes so it doesn’t get clogged up.

Ask a friend or partner to help shave your back. It can be really hard to reach your back when you’re shaving—plus, it’s hard to see what you’re doing. If possible, ask your SO or a good friend to give you a hand with the hard-to-reach spots. If you can’t get someone to help you, use a hand mirror to help you see what you’re doing. You can also buy razor extenders or shavers with long handles designed for shaving back hair.

Rinse off with cool water when you’re done. Step into the shower or bath and wash off the shaving cream and loose hair. Use cool water to help soothe any irritation and tighten up your pores.

Apply a gentle moisturizer to your skin. When you’re done rinsing, gently pat your skin dry with a clean towel. While your skin is still a little damp, smooth on a gentle moisturizer to help your skin stay soft and minimize irritation and dryness.

Scalp

Work in a well-lit area and use a mirror. In addition to a wall mirror, grab a hand mirror so you can see your whole head. It’s pretty easy to miss a spot or nick yourself if you can’t see what you’re doing!

Buzz your hair short with clippers first. Trying to shave long hair will only result in clogged razors and frustration. Before you start shaving, grab a pair of electric clippers and trim your hair close to the scalp all over. The clippers will work better if your hair is clean.

Take a warm shower to soften your hair. Once you’ve buzzed your hair short, step into the shower or bath. This will rinse away the loose hair on your head and shoulders, plus it will make the stubble softer and much easier to shave. Soak your hair for at least 10 minutes for the best results. While you’re showering, you can also remove flakes and dead skin from your scalp with a gentle scalp scrub or soft brush. This will help keep your razor—and your hair follicles—from getting clogged.

Rub shaving cream or gel over your scalp. You can also use hair conditioner. Make sure to cover your entire scalp, and apply more if you need to during your shave. The skin on your scalp can be sensitive and prone to breakouts. Choose a shaving product that’s gentle, without a lot of strong perfumes or other harsh ingredients. For extra lubrication and protection, try smoothing on a pre-shave oil before you add your shaving cream.

Shave in the direction of your hair growth. It’s really easy to get ingrown hairs on your scalp. To keep this from happening, avoid shaving against the grain. You may not get a perfectly close shave, but it’s worth it to avoid the annoyance of razor bumps on your head! If you’re shaving with clippers, it’s better to go against the grain. Clippers don’t give as close a shave as a standard safety razor, so you’ll get a cleaner look if you shave in the opposite direction from the hair growth. Be extra careful when shaving the back of your head. Not only is it harder to see what you’re doing, but the hair tends to radiate out in different directions at the back of the scalp.

Work slowly and carefully, in small sections. It’s generally best to start with the hair on top of your head, since it’s softer and thinner than the hair on the sides and back. Use your mirrors to check your work as you go. Be methodical about moving from one section to another so you don’t miss any spots. You may need to gently pull your skin taut with one hand to get a close shave when you’re working in trickier areas, such as the space around your ears. Don’t forget to rinse your blade between strokes so it doesn’t get gunked up.

Rinse your head with cool water. This will wash away the stray hairs and shaving gel or cream. It will also calm any irritation on your scalp and help tighten up your pores.

Massage a moisturizer into your scalp. To prevent flakes and irritation, smooth on a gentle moisturizer or aftershave lotion. Lotions with oils like argan or tea tree oil can be especially soothing and moisturizing. Once your head is shaved, it will be more sensitive to the sun. Slather on a moisturizing sunscreen or put on a hat before you step outside!

Original news source