Shaving your face could give multiple different benefits such as a smooth and flawless canvas for putting makeup on your face. “Peach fuzz” as they would call it (also known as fine vellus hairs) on your face can trap makeup and textured, leaving an uneven finish. Shaving would allow for smoother application of foundation, concealer, and other makeup products. Other benefits with shaving is it helps enhance skincare absorption. By removing the layer of dead skin cells and the vellus hair, shaving can improve the absorption of skincare products, allowing them to penetrate deeper and work more effectively. Last thing that shaving can help with is increasing cell turnover, which basically means that it will encourage the production of new, healthy skin cells. This can result in a more youthful appearance and a reduction in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles (with the help of skincare).
Remember that before shave you need to remember that all skin types are different, some can be extremely sensitive to shaving, If you have very sensitive skin, prone to irritation, redness, or bumps, it’s best to proceed with caution or consider alternative methods like derma-planing (a professional exfoliation treatment).
Shaving also makes your face more susceptible (vulnerable/sensitive) to sun damage. Consistent use of sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher is crucial after shaving your face.
Pre-shaving
01 Cleanse gently : Wash your face with lukewarm water and a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser. Harsh scrubs can irritate your delicate facial skin. Pat your face dry with a soft towel – avoid rubbing, which can cause unnecessary irritation.
02 Exfoliate (Optional) : For some women, incorporating a gentle exfoliating step once or twice a week before shaving can help prevent ingrown hairs. Opt for a chemical exfoliant with AHAs or BHAs instead of harsh scrubs to avoid micro-tears in the skin.
03 Warm up your skin : I usually a warm compress to your face helps soften the vellus hairs and open your pores, making them easier to shave.
04 Hydrate!! : Apply a hydrating shaving cream, gel, or oil specifically formulated for facial shaving (recommended products linked under list). This helps lubricate the skin, allowing the razor to glide smoothly and minimize nicks and irritation. Look for products with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, or aloe vera, which provide soothing and hydrating benefits.
Hydrating shaving creams that I think work great:
Kitsch Smooth Shave Butt
hanni Shave Pillow, Shaving Gel
Ursa Major Natural Shave Cream
Choosing the right tool
You can not use the dull razors that are usually used for your legs. Facial hair is finer and requires a sharper blade to achieve a close shave without irritation.
There are safety razors, it can be controlled and shaves well for the face. But it does requires some practice to master the correct technique. It’s a choice that those who are more experienced shavers who are comfortable shaving their face and have been doing it for a while.
If you don’t feel comfortable with a safety razor, go with a normal womens facial razor that is a better option for beginners or those who prefer a more user-friendly approach.
Shaving
You need to obviously be very careful not to injure yourself, apply minimal pressure while shaving. Don’t press it down hard on your skin, if you feel like you have to and are not getting results otherwise then you should get a new razor.
Always shave in the direction your hair grows. This minimizes the risk of irritation and ingrown hairs. You can do a second pass against the grain for an extra close shave, but be very careful and only if your skin tolerates it. Against-the-grain shaving can be particularly harsh on facial skin, so proceed with caution.
When shaving, do short strokes, it gives you more control over the razor and reduces the risk of nicks and cuts. Long strokes are likely to irritate your skin.
When shaving your razor will get hair buildup (since you are shaving the hair off), in that case you have to frequently rinse your razor under warm water.
And most importantly… never shave on pimples or acne.
Post-shave care
First, cool down and rinse your face with cool water to close your pores, apply moisturizer to sooth your skin and prevent dryness that can occure after shaving and like mentioned before, your skin is going to be more sensitive to the sun after shaving so apply sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher.
