Razors can cause skin irritations and ingrown hairs. Sometimes you may notice redness or bumps on your skin after shaving. This can leave your skin inflamed and can cause acne-like bumps and razor burns on your skin. Shaving over razor-burned skin can make the problem worse. Additionally, ingrown hairs may appear on the shaved parts of the body. Ingrown hair occurs when a shaved hair strand curls back and grows downward instead of upward. If the hair is not removed, it continues to grow. In this case, sometimes ingrown hairs turn into a cyst which can be painful. When a hair grows into the skin, a fluid-filled lump can appear and it can be red, white or yellow in colour.
Not all ingrown hairs get this bad. Acne medication and steroid creams can be helpful to clean the pustule and reduce swelling. Some parts of the body are more prone to ingrown hairs: face, armpits, head, neck, legs and pubic region.
There are several steps to be taken before and after shaving which can help you prevent ingrown hairs from forming:
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Exfoliate your skin before shaving
Exfoliation will minimize the amount of dead skin cells which can clog your pores. You should exfoliate your skin regularly for the best results. If you use peeling gels, not apply it right before shaving. Your skin will need some quite time to rest.
Lather up with a shaving cream
Shaving cream creates a barrier layer for protection between your skin and the blade. It makes hairs softer and easier to cut. And, it helps moisturize.
Shave in a warm shower
Shaving in a warm shower or bath will help soften hairs and open up your skin pores for an easy and smooth shaving.
Moisturize your skin between shaves
Moisturizing helps soothe and repair the itchy and irritated skin. Virgin raw coconut oil and Aloe Vera are good moisturizers. Coconut oil can also help keep your skin hydrated. Aloe Vera is one of the most powerful alternatives for the recovery of male skin after shaving. It is known for soothing and healing razor burns.
Don’t use old razors
Razor blades get dull with use. This may cause you to apply more pressure which means you are more likely to cut yourself or irritate your skin more. Old razors increase the risk of infection too.
Keep your razor clean
A dirty razor is one of the most important factors that cause skin irritations and razor bumps. Rinse your razor blades very well before and after shaving. Rinse your razor after each stroke to make sure that it is free from residual cut hairs and shaving gel. Avoid rust on the blades by keeping your razors dry. Do not share your razors with anyone else and replace your razor blades often.
Shave in the same direction hair grows
Shaving in the same direction as your hair grows help you avoid irritations. Shaving against the grain can cause razor burns and formation of ingrown hair. First go with the direction of growth, secondly across the direction of growth, and then shave against the grain to achieve the closest shave.
Don’t shave everyday
Many professions require men to be cleanly shaven. If you don’t have this kind of requirement, not shaving every day will help you to avoid blemishes.
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