Do you avoid shaving because those annoying razor bumps and ingrown hairs are actually more annoying and unsightful than having hairy legs or a hairy face? It is the wintertime – you could just hide under your pants or hat and not shave for a while, however I do have some tips that will help to prevent, and treat, those nasty bumps.
First of all – you need the proper equipment. Find a shaving cream that is actually cream, foams can dry out the skin – even if they’re labeled moisturizing – and make the bumps worse. You will also have to find an alcohol free formula to make sure the pores don’t get irritated. There are some out there, but I have found that using a good hair conditioner or a moisturizing body cream wash is a good alternative. Then for the razor – you will probably notice that all the razor companies are coming up with more and more blades every time you look – 3 blades, 4 blades, even 6 blades! This is to ensure you get the closest shave you can. However, if you are prone to irritation and ingrown hairs it is not good to get a super close shave – so in this case it is probably best to choose a single blade, or a double blade maximum.
Next you need to look at your technique. As you should not be shaving too close, make sure you are not applying too much pressure to the razor as you shave, you can also try shaving in the direction of the hair growth – which is generally down the leg, rather than the up motion most people use, and in varying directions on other areas of your body such as under the arms or the face. Be sure that your skin has been soaking for a while to soften the hair – so you should be shaving about midway through your shower. Make sure that the skin is warm to hot-ish because if the skin is cool it can cause some inflammation as you shave.
If you already have irritation or ingrown hairs there are a few things you can do. Wipe the area with a salicylic acid lotion or wash. This will help to exfoliate and treat the area – healing it faster. The ZENMED AHA/BHA complex and even our Acne gel will work for this. I have already told you that it is important to exfoliate your skin but it is extremely important to exfoliate any skin you will be shaving as this will help to clear the pores in the skin and prevent any ingrown hairs.
Using the right tools and employing the right techniques will ensure your skin will be soft and smooth.