When it comes to hair removal, options vary from laser, wax, hair removal creams, and of course, razors. Some might say waxing is the best way, others would settle with creams, but still, there are people who choose shaving most of the time. And that’s totally fine. After all, to each their own, right?
To long-time shavers out there, you might have mastered the art of shaving, but we’re sure there are still moments you experience mishaps and face the wrath of the familiar razor burns or shaving rash. We’re here to make sure that traumatic experience won’t happen again, so for both pros and newbies alike, here are our best shaving tips & tricks to avoid razor burns.
Prep Your Skin
You may not think that the preparation before shaving is an important factor in preventing razor burns, but IT IS! A vital prep step is to take a warm shower or bath in order to soften the hair. You should also exfoliate the areas you will shave, not only to clean them of dead cells, but to also help in preventing ingrown hairs.
Products to use for prepping:
- Camellia Alise Fresh Start Pre-Shave Scrub ($15.97)
- Mayberry Exfoliating Bath Cloth (4 pack for $22.95)
- Crystal Peel Microdermabrasion Exfoliating Soap Body Bar ($26)
Pick the Right Razor
You might have heard this before, but we can’t overemphasize how crucial this tip is. Dull razors can do a lot of skin damage and some may not be that easily reversible. Make sure to pick a sharp, durable, and firm razor. You can also pick ones with soothing strips to help your skin recover from the shaving. And if you’re feeling adventurous, you can try to use men’s razor, which are oftentimes better as they were designed for thicker hair.
Best razors in the market:
- Harry’s The Winston ($20)
- Schick Intuition Sensitive Care Razor for Women ($8.49)
- Gillette Venus Swirl Women’s Razor ($12.89)
- Remington Smooth & Silky Smooth Glide Rechargeable Shaver ($28.87)
Dry shaving is a no-no
If you think shaving creams are just some commercial propaganda for companies to earn more, or just an accessory part of shaving, you’re in for a big surprise. Shaving creams and gels are extremely important in making sure you don’t get the full abrasive effect of the blade against your skin. Make sure that you get high-quality shaving creams/gel, those added with extra-moisturizing ingredients like aloe vera, coconut oil, or olive oil.
High-end shaving gels & creams:
- Lippmann Collection Did I Shave My Legs For This? ($24)
- Malin + Goetz Vitamin E Shaving Cream ($22)
- Skintimate 2-In-1 Moisturizing Shave Cream for Women ($18.99)
Shave WITH the Grain
If you ever thought you’d have to shave against the direction of your hair growth, you are not alone, sister. This is a common misconception among ladies, well, because it actually feels like you can achieve a closer shave with the technique. But this can cause terrible razor burns—so stop what you’re used to and start following your hair’s direction.
Keep Yourself From Going Over and Over an Area
Admit it, you’ve been there a few times, trying to be too efficient in going over every nook and cranny of your skin that you go over a certain area too many times. Remember, the best way to shave is just go over an area once, and if that’s not enough, go over it one more time—but that’s it.
After Shave Care
Use cold water to rinse your skin to prevent bumps and ingrown hairs. But remember, rinsing isn’t the only thing you need to do after the actual shaving. If you get tiny cuts, use a cold cotton pad to stop the bleeding and then apply antibacterial product afterwards.
In case razor burns happen…
Okay, okay. We know you can’t always be 100% razor burn-free, so just in case you got those itchy rashes, get some aloe vera and apply it to that area. If you run out of aloe vera, you may use coconut oil, raw honey, or Manuka honey instead. After 20 minutes from application, rinse the area affected with warm water.
Best aftershaves and products for razor burns:
- Shaveworks The Cool Fix ($26)
- Jack Black Post Shave Cooling Gel With Aloe, Sage, & Lavender ($20)
- Kerah Lane Razor Bump & Ingrown Hair Natural Formula ($17.27)
- Fur Skincare Fur Oil ($44)
- Amara Organics Aloe Vera Gel ($18)
Happy shaving, everyone!
Image credits: Smartfem, Lifestyle, Epilator Girl, Shefinds, Thrifty Fun, Bustle, Shutterstock.
