From The Straits Times    |
shaving mistakes to stop making razor bumps ingrown hair thumb

shaving mistakes to stop making razor bumps ingrown hair

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#1 Shaving in the morning
There are two things that affect the quality of the shave you get in the mornings: Water retention, and feeling too cold. Even in Singapore, things can be a little chilly when you step into the shower in the morning. Having goosebumps along your legs makes it difficult to get a smooth shave without shaving across the goosebumps. That can lead to razor bumps and ingrowns, as well as an uneven shave. 

On the other hand, puffiness from water retention can mean you aren’t shaving the hairs as closely to the skin as you normally would. 

Make sure the water is warm before you shave, and wait long enough such that the warmth from the water softens the hairs you want to shave. This makes the whole process much easier.

#2 Using soap or shower gel 
While bar soaps might lather on your skin, they don’t have enough “slip” to protect your skin and reduce the amount of friction between your skin and the razor. If you find your razor squeaking or snagging slightly when you drag it across your skin, switch to a proper shaving gel. 

In terms of gel or foam, foams have more air in them and don’t protect your skin as well. It’s also worth noting that a lot of shaving gels have soothing and anti-inflammatory properties or ingredients that protect your skin so you get a close shave with the least irritation possible.

We get the need for an alternative when you’ve run out of shaving gel or are on holiday without it on hand. In a pinch, hair conditioner works better than soap. Just be sure to wash it off with soap after shaving to get rid of any residue the conditioner might leave on your skin.  

#3 Using too much or too little shaving gel
As something that forms a thick foam on your skin, using too much shaving gel can end up clogging the blades of your razor, causing it to miss hairs. Too little of the stuff, on the other hand, means your skin isn’t properly protected and can end up irritated. 

It might take a while to figure out how much to use, but a good rule of thumb is to make sure the foam isn’t too thick or stiff (watering it down slightly while you’re lathering it can help). If you find yourself having to rinse the razor after each pass to get out all the clogged foam, you’re using too much shaving gel.

#4 Not changing razor blades often enough
It’s easy to forget simple things like changing your toothbrush every three months or replacing razor blades when they’ve started to become blunt. Keeping track of everything in your life can be tough and we’re allowed to drop the ball some of the time. 

That said, the benefits you get from a sharp razor are well worth the effort, especially if you have more sensitive skin or are prone to razor bumps. Sharper blades make for a quicker and smoother shave. Blunt blades require more passes of the razor to get rid of the hair, and are prone to snagging, making ingrown hairs more likely as well as skin irritation.

#5 Forgetting skincare
It’s not just about what happens when you shave. The before and after habits are just as key. Keeping up with your exfoliation routine is what gets rid of dead and flaking skin before you shave, leaving your skin as smooth as possible to provide the best skin surface for shaving. 

Post-shaving, your skin can become dry which makes it more likely to get irritated, leading to more redness or ingrown hairs. A light body lotion is a great way to keep your skin soft and moisturised to reduce irritation and dryness. If you have more sensitive skin, something with anti-inflammatory ingredients like coconut oil or aloe vera will be good for you.

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