8 Golden Rules for a Smooth & Healthy Shave

It’s odd to think that men run a sharp razor along their face and neck once a day, and women run it over their legs every few days. Shaving is not as dangerous as it sounds, but it should be done in a way that doesn’t damage the skin or causes ingrown hair follicles that can lead to unsightly zits and scars. These are the eight golden rules you should be following if you want your shaving experience to be the most effective. I also included a simple DIY guide to making your own Vitamin E enriched shaving cream, for both men and women.

1. Shave while showering or straight after

The hot water and steam will soften your skin and protect it from cuts during the shave. Shaving on dry skin can cause razor burn (a rash that develops when the skin’s protective layer is damaged) and cuts, as the blade doesn’t properly slide along the skin and nicks it. Additionally, if you’re already in the shower, it will save you time.

Pro tip: to prevent your mirror from fogging up, put some shaving cream on it, then wipe it off with a dry towel. Your mirror will remain clear even in a sauna!

2. Use shaving oil before you shave

I strongly recommend applying shaving oil before applying shaving cream or gel. The oil makes your skin smoother and gives it an extra layer of protection from cuts and razor burns.

Pro tip: You can even use shaving oil instead of shaving cream – this will save you money and space in your traveling kit.

3. Wash the razor after every shaving motion

Rinsing your razor after every motion sounds like a lot of work and a waste of time, but it definitely isn’t. When we shave, the removed hair remains on the razor and every repetition reduces the quality and hygienic level of the shave. Wash your razor after every 1-2 repetitions and your skin will thank you for it.

4. Shave in the direction the hair grows

While some people will tell you that shaving against the growth produces better results, they will be misleading you. Shaving in the opposite direction of hair growth may feel like it produces smoother results, but this practice increases your likeliness of suffering from cuts and ingrown hairs.

Men: The skin around your neck is more delicate than your facial skin, and growth direction may vary, so pay attention when shaving that area.

Women: Pay attention to the growth direction.

5. Use a high-quality razor

You won’t use a shaving cream that harms your skin, so there’s no reason to use a razor that does the same. You may want to test a few different brands until you find the one that is right for you. Be mindful of the state of the razor and replace it when it wears out.

Women: It is recommended that you use the women’s razor, they are designed for more delicate skin, as opposed to the men’s razors.

6. Wash the shaved area with cold water when you’re done

The lower temperatures help reduce the volume of your blood vessels. This will prevent excessive bleeding and decrease the likeliness of skin infections.

7. Use a moisturizer or oil after you shave

Men: Using aftershave is mainly suitable to disinfect cuts, so if you followed the above instructions, your shave should be smooth and free of nicks. Professionals agree that the use of moisturizer is just as effective as aftershave in protecting the skin, but will not dry out your skin as the alcohol in the aftershave does.

Women: Applying coconut oil or baby oil on your skin, then dabbing it off with a towel right after shaving will give your skin a beautiful shine.

8. For women: Remove the hairs from the root

While some women think that shaving and waxing produces the same results, but in fact, they don’t. Shaving only cuts the hairs, while waxing removes it from the root – this prevents the formation of ingrown hairs. In addition, waxing removes the top layer of dead skin giving you a smoother and cleaner look when compared to shaving. Lastly, it’s not recommended to use a razor along the bikini line and shins.

DIY: Make your own nourishing shaving cream

Many creams and gels state that they contain Vitamin E that nourishes the skin, but more often than not, they contain a diluted variation that can speed up the formation of wrinkles. Instead of using all those chemical-laden products, you can make your own shaving cream, customized with your favorite scent and enriched with Vitamin E:

Ingredients:

• ⅔ cup of Shae butter (or any other kind of body butter
• ⅔ cup of coconut oil
• ¼ cup of olive oil
• 10-20 drops of your choice of aromatic oil
• 2 Tbsp. baking soda
• 2 capsules of Vitamin E (optional)

Instructions:

• Melt the coconut butter and Shae butter in a pot, and then remove from the heating source and mix in the olive oil.

• When all the ingredients are mixed, add your favorite aromatic oil.

• Pour the mixture into a bowl, mix well and leave in the fridge until it hardens.
• Remove the mixture from the fridge and let it soften up a bit.

• Empty the Vitamin E capsules into the mix, and add the baking soda.
• Blend the mixture until the consistency resembles cake frosting.

• Place in a cool, dark place and use as needed.