About Shaving Facial Hair

Shaving facial hair has come a long way over time. Native Americans as well as South American tribes used sharpened stones to shave and had specific styles for their tribes. Now shaving is the corporate norm and is no longer used for tribal recognition by style. Compact electronics have changed the face of shaving forever from the commonly used straight razor.

Effects

Shaving facial hair may have several direct effects on the face itself. The first of these effects is that it removes facial hair for a short period of time (about 36 hours until very noticeable hair re-growth) allowing the face to have a smoother texture after puberty. Another direct effect that shaving has is that it frames the face in different ways depending on the style chosen.

Types

There are many different types of styles to shave facial hair and tools to shave with. Technology has diversified the way shaving is performed. Besides the straight razor there are the electric razor, clippers, trimmers, depilatory cream and various types of razors such as disposable razors. Shaving styles can range from a clean shave where the majority or all of the beard, mustache and sideburns are removed; to the ever popular goatee. Many of these razors and electric razors come in various brands and styles made for specific functions such as a closer shave or a more precise shave. There are also many types of shaving creams, foam and gel to apply to the face prior to shaving.

Warning

Using the various types of shaving tools must be done strictly by directed use of the manufacturer when shaving. Shaving with razors or a blade or any type may cause cuts as well as an outbreak of shaving bumps to the skin. Shaving bumps occur when hair that has been shaved cannot penetrate the epidermis (skin) and curls up under the skin. Depilatory cream can also cause breakouts for those with sensitive skin as this is a chemical used to remove hair.

Prevention/Solution

Although shaving has its drawbacks there are just as many ways to prevent them as there are to shave. Razor bumps usually occur worse in those with naturally curly or wavy hair patterns. A razor bump treatment cream as well as shaving in the direction that your hair grows can help reverse and prevent further outbreaks. Cuts can be avoided by using any sharp edge carefully when shaving. Having a steady and deliberate shaving hand will help to avoid cuts as well as allotting proper time to shave so it is not a rushed process.

Benefits

Shaving facial hair can significantly improve the image of a person as well as how others perceive them. Imagine person A and person B go to a job interview and are identical twins with the exact same references and qualifications. Person A is shaven and person B appears to not have shaven in weeks, the clean appearance of person A will win out the majority of the time due to perception. Besides the aesthetic benefits of shaving are the health benefits. Small critters and germs can multiply in unshaven facial hair. This is especially true of longer styles of facial hair that are harder to clean and can also carry odor.