Two things can ruin a close, silky smooth shave: razor burn and ingrown hairs. The Massachusetts General Hospital website defines ingrown hairs as hairs that curl in on themselves and penetrate the skin with their tips. This leads to inflammation and pus. Skin irritation is the culprit when it comes to razor burn. Shaving incorrectly strips the top layer of your skin, causing an increase of blood to the affected area, dilation of blood vessels and redness.
Step 1
Rub a clean, dry washcloth over the area you plan to shave. "The Doctors Book of Home Remedies II" claims that this will reduce ingrown hairs by loosening embedded hairs from the follicles.
Step 2
Take a shower or bath. Bathing before you shave softens hair, leading to an easier shave.
Step 3
Use an exfoliating or antibacterial cleanser to scrub the area you will be shaving. If you're shaving the bikini area, check the directions on the exfoliating cleanser to make sure it's safe.
Step 4
Lather a shaving gel or cream onto the area you plan to shave. Use a product that contains ingredients such as aloe that will soothe and nourish your skin. Leave the product on for several minutes to further soften hair.
Step 5
Shave the area. Use short strokes that follow the direction of hair growth. For example, shave your legs down rather than up. Shaving against the grain of hair growth may provide a closer shave, but it also irritates your skin.
Step 6
Rinse the shaving gel or cream from your skin. Thoroughly dry the area with a towel.
Step 7
Apply lotion, moisturizer or an ointment immediately after shaving. Topical acne products that contains 2.5 or 5 percent benzoyl peroxide may help razor burn heal and lessen its return, according to "The Doctors Book of Home Remedies for Women." For short-term help, hydrocortisone creams may also provide relief.
Tips and Warnings
- Replace your razor blade every few uses unless you have infected ingrown hairs, in which case use a new blade for each shave to avoid reinfecting the area. For sensitive skin, removing hair with a depilatory cream may cause less irritation. Real Simple, a website devoted to home and health care, suggests using a mixture of baby oil and rubbing alcohol, post-shave, to prevent razor burn.
- Hydrocortisone creams are not meant for regular or long-term use, since these can thin your skin.
Things You'll Need
- Washcloth
- Cleanser
- Shaving gel or cream
- Razor
- Towel
- Lotion
References
- Massachusetts General Hospital: Conditions and Treatments - Ingrown Hairs
- MotherNature.com: The Doctors Book of Home Remedies for Women: Razor Burn
- MotherNature.com: The Doctors Book of Home Remedies II: Ingrown Hairs
- MotherNature.com: The Doctors Book of Home Remedies for Women: Ingrown Hair
- Real Simple: Shaving 101
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