If you’re not too careful shaving, you could be setting yourself up for razor burn and ingrown hairs, two very annoying men’s skincare problems. To help keep shaving irritation at bay, we’ve put together a list of common men’s shaving blunders that you might be committing. Keep reading below to see if any of your shaving habits made the list:
Not using a fresh blade: Yes, shaving blades are super expensive, so you might be tempted to reuse yours too many times… but don’t make this mistake. Shaving is an invasive activity, and dull blades will not only irritate your skin, but can also cause inflammation that will damage the structure and look of your skin.
Not using a men’s after-shave product: Instead of a heavy lotion, try a light product with active natural ingredients such as witch hazel and tea tree extract; these will help heal the skin. Don’t use anything that stings, burns, or numbs the skin since your skin is at its most vulnerable after shaving. MenScience Post-Shave Repair contains a hydrating formula that evaporates immediately and leaves skin feeling soft and conditioned.
Using foam out of a can: In general, these products don’t provide sufficient protection for the skin and tend to dehydrate. The best men’s shaving creams provide a thick, lubricating layer that completely protects skin and allows shaving in any direction for several passes without reapplication. Advanced Shave Formula contains a revolutionary foamless formula that provides an extra-close shave with no irritation.
Not letting the shaving cream sit on your skin for a couple of minutes: A good shaving cream will provide softening and moisturizing ingredients that will plump your hair stubs and skin, so letting the Advanced Shave Formula sit on your face will allow your skin to absorb it better and result in a better shave.
Not shaving in the shower: The key to a close and painless shave is the amount of moisture that your hair stubs can absorb; moisture makes them plump and pliable so they are easily cut close to the skin. Shaving at the end of your shower maximizes the time your hair stubs can absorb moisture. Remember: using a shaving cream with glycerin and aloe provides more moisture than simple shave foam.
Not letting your skin rest every couple of weeks: Take a shaving holiday every week or two. Your skin will appreciate the time to recover, and as an additional benefit you’ll get a closer shave after not having shaved for a while. Also, if you have a special event, don’t shave until just a few days before it, so that you’ll end up with a closer shave. For more info on grooming tips for special events, check out “Men’s Grooming Tips for Parties.”
Using a face scrub after shaving: A men’s face scrub is the ideal way to prepare your skin for shaving. Never use it after shaving, however, because your skin is tender after shaving and the face scrub can cause more irritation.
Using any facial products with alcohol: Alcohol irritates the skin, resulting in redness and itchiness as well as other skin problems. Use MenScience facial products to minimize your chance of irritation – none of them contain alcohol. Check out our list of men’s facial skincare products.
Shaving too close if you tend to get ingrown hairs: Face it — if you have thick curly hair, you’re more prone to developing ingrown hairs, so a simple solution is not to shave as close. Instead of doing several passes with the blade in different directions, just do one pass in the direction of hair growth. For more info on preventing ingrown hairs, check out “4 Tips for Ingrown Hair Treatment.”
