There is one thing that men and women have in common, and that is nasty skin irritations, discolorations and other forms of skin damage that occur as a result of shaving. For many people, shaving is not an option. Whether its facial hair or hair on other parts of the body that are visible; incessant shaving can sometimes mess up our skin, especially if not done right. Here are things that you can do that will save your skin while shaving.
Warm up Skin
Before shaving, you should always warm up your skin and moisturize it in order to open up hair follicles. Doing so will minimize skin irritation and make shaving easy. As a man, before shaving your face, shower for at least five minutes first to allow the steam of the water to open up your face's hair follicles. If you are not showering, some barbers recommend taking a hot wash cloth and let it sit on the area of your body that you intend on shaving.
Go with the Grain
One of the biggest mistakes that many people make when shaving is going against the grain of the hair follicle. Follow the natural direction of the hair follicle. Going in opposite directions can potentially lead to cuts and ruin the texture of your skin.
Use Right Shaving Cream
Some shaving creams actually contain harmful ingredients that cause more skin irritation and discoloration. Try using natural shaving creams and lotions that don't contain ingredients that will cause skin irritation and discoloration.
Go to a Barber
Barbers are highly qualified hair stylists that have been taught the art of shaving. They know how to properly use blades, how to soften the skin before a shave and even how to treat the skin after a shave. Although this can be expensive if you have to shave every day, it would not hurt to go to a barber every now and then give your face a fresh shave.
Swap Out Blades
Believe it or not, shaving blades can go bad quickly. If you have sensitive skin, the best thing to do is to swap out your blades every two to three shaves. Blades can easily go dull quick and can even rust.
Avoid Cheap Razors
First and foremost, using cheap razors can be very damaging to your skin. This is especially true for ethnic groups that typically have coarser and thicker hair. Cheap razors were primarily designed for emergency and travel purposes. The blades on these razors are not sharp compared to a higher end razor. Dull blades can inefficiently remove hair and can lead to the buildup hair follicles as bumps. To find some of the best blades you can get you can check them out at art of shaving supplies
Use High Quality Aftershave
One of the biggest no-no's of shaving is using rubbing alcohol to treat your skin after a shave. While many aftershave products contain some degree of alcohol, this can easily dry out the skin and make it irritable. The best aftershave is to use some sort of natural and organic moisturizer like shea butter or cocoa butter to provide some natural oils to the skin.