You’ve probably been removing unwanted hair since before you had reason to. Taming unwanted body hair is a never-ending chore, since it has to be done so often. We try every removal method there is, but there is still so much more we don’t know – especially about shaving!
Despite your experience, you could be making one of these hair-removal mistakes and not even realize it. We all make hair removal mistakes from time to time, and these mistakes can be unsightly and painful. Even though you may consider yourself a pro at shaving, here are 6 mistakes you might be making while tackling unwanted body hair.
1. Not exfoliating
Exfoliating is your best defense against ingrown hairs, no matter what method of hair removal you choose. Exfoliation helps get rid of dead skin cells that trap the hair. It’s best to scrub before you remove hair instead of after you do it to prevent skin irritation. Also, warm water softens the hair and opens up the hair follicles, making shaving much easier. To exfoliate, gently massage your skin with a washcloth, loofah, pumice stone or exfoliating scrub. To avoid ingrown hair from developing after shaving, use a daily body lotion this will loosen dead skin to prevent hairs from getting trapped beneath skin. Never start off your shower with a shave!
2. Skipping Shaving Cream
This is a common mistake that happens far too often. We may think that shaving with soap or just water will not be damaging to the skin and will yield similar results to shaving cream but this is simply incorrect. Shaving cream is specifically designed to hydrate your skin and to provide protection while shaving to avoid irritation. Gillette Satin Care range of shave gels are the perfect shaving companions to Gillette Venus razors. Allow the shaving gel to soften your skin for about five minutes before you begin shaving.
3. Stay Away from hair removal creams
Hair removal creams are another option for getting rid of unwanted hair but they are more harmful than helpful. They consist of a lot of chemicals which could cause a series of problems like skin irritation and allergic reactions. And not to mention, they smell awful! They may be painless but are detrimental to your skin.
4. Shaving against Hair Growth
It is advised to shave in the direction of hair growth. This way, you avoid ingrown. You are also not likely to have unsightly red bumps. If you shave against the direction of hair growth, you get a smoother shave but it might lead ingrown hair. But for underarms, you can shave in two directions (up and down) as the hair growth there is quite erratic.
5. Using dull/old razor blades
Many people do not think about changing the razor blade that they use for hair removal. They use the same razor blade over and over again. Not only will it get you a closer shave, but regularly replacing your razor blade is also key to preventing day-after red bumps. If you want a clean close shave, make sure that you always use a sharp blade. Each use-and-throw razor lasts for at least four shaving sessions. Using a Gillette Venus razor is most convenient as the Aloe-Vera strip above its blade acts as an indicator of when it’s time to replace it.
6. Forgetting to moisturize
It’s important to follow a shave with a soothing solution to keep the surface soft and hydrated. It is vital that you moisturize your skin after each shaving session. Use alcohol-free lotion or balm is usually the way to go, except underarms and your bikini region as these areas are too sensitive after shaving, and steer clear of fragrance or other “helpful” additives that can effectively increase the risk of ingrown hair, and skin irritation.
