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Whether you are a working woman or a home maker, body hair is a problem. And Especially in the summer season when the short skirts and swimsuits come out, it can become a nightmare! For me, for the longest time, the quickest way has been shaving the hair off. And that is what I suggest to a lot of my patients and they look back at me almost in a manner fit to assume that someone just gave them a shock!
It’s a common myth that shaving of the hair can lead to excessive or ‘extra’ hair growth. But that is certainly not true, because after birth the number of hair follicles (form where the hair develops and grows) cannot ‘multiply’. It is not the amount of the hair growth that makes women feel that the hair has grown thicker, but it is because of the fact that the shaved off hair are all levelled and they grow together that gives a mere perception of the hair growing thicker!
I truly believe that in today’s day and age shaving does work wonders. It’s quick and easy and can be done any time.
Plus, if you aren’t the type to get laser hair reduction done, then try shaving! Here are some trick for the regulars and those who are keen on picking it up:
1. Shave on wet skin
There are a lot of women that tend to shave on dry skin and use electric epilators which actually require the skin to be dry. In my experience, this can give rise to ‘razor bumps’ or hair ingrowth. This also injures the skin and can cause itching and dryness.
Wetting the skin while bathing helps in softening the hair. Soft hair get shaven off easier and with minimal number of strokes.
2. Apply a moisturising soap
There is a lot of friction generated between the skin and the razor blade while shaving. The soap helps reduce this friction and ensures a smooth gliding of the blade along the skin resulting in a close shave without multiple strokes and a softer skin as well.
3. Use Shaving creams!
Did you read this correctly?! Yes, instead of a soap, shaving creams can definitely be used on the underarms, arms and the legs. There are shaving creams specificall available for women as well, but in my experience any routine shaving cream would also suffice. Try it out!
Although, I wouldn’t recommend using a shaving cream for your bikini area! So don’t go trying it out there!
4. Shaving and how?
There are some rules that you should follow while using the blade on your skin:
· Shave in the direction of hair growth.
The usual tendency is to shave in the direction opposite to the hair growth, since doing that gives a closer and smoother shave. But it is this very reason that the hair upon growing can start growing inwards and cause razor bumps, itching and redness on the shaved areas. This doesn’t happen immediately, but only when the hair stubble starts appearing, which is approximately around 5 to 7 days.
Figure out the direction of your hair growth and shave in that direction.
Hear ye men: This applies for you too! Face or legs, the rules are the same!
· Avoid multiple strokes:
For a smoother shave, people tend to move the razor on the skin not once, but as much as three or four times. Refrain from doing that. It will not only injure the skin by increasing your chances of getting a razor cut, but it will also cause hair ingrowth. And I am sure all of you dread the ingrowth.
· A special tip for women with thick hair:
I suggest that you stick to shaving, because thick hair while shaving requires multiple strokes and downward shaving of thick hair doesn’t give quiet the smooth shave that you’d wish for. Having said that, you could try shaving a part of your leg and see the response over a period of 7 to 15 days. Make sure you follow the basic instructions though.
5. What Blade to use?
For me any razor works. The disposable ones that men use aren’t bad either. However, every skin is different and I would sincerely suggest that you try out different blades and see how they work for you. What you do need to understand is that, there isn’t a major difference in between the blades that are made for men and women. The razor blades that are sold especially for women have a thin Elovera strip that is supposed to soften the skin as you shave. But using
6. Apply a moisturiser:
Even if you didn’t get a razor cut, there is still microtrauma that has occurred because of the blade. Applying a thick moisturiser of your choice after the shave will help heal the skin. In my experience, the probability of razor bumps also goes down with the use of a good moisturiser. The skin feels softer too.
Men too could use a thin moisturiser instead of a thick one post shaving!
I personally struggled trying to figure out these tricks! Here is hoping that these tricks for you!