How to Shave Without Drying Out Your Skin
The basic grooming routines of both men and women involve removing unwanted hair. For many people, the daily process of shaving results in dry, bumpy, irritated skin. Whether on your face, your legs, your body or your underarms, dried-out skin is unattractive and uncomfortable. Fortunately, you can help prevent this by using the right products and maintaining your razor, even if you live in a dry climate and shave regularly. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Wait to shave until you have been awake for half an hour. Your skin needs time to wake up before it can take a razor comfortably.
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Soak the area you plan to shave in warm water for three minutes. Apply shaving gel to the area and let it sit for four minutes. Shave with warm water.
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Move your razor slowly. Don't press too hard. Rinse shaved areas thoroughly to remove gel residue.
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Shave your face in the direction of hair growth, your legs against the direction of hair growth and your underarms with a series of short strokes in all directions. Do not shave over the same section of skin more than once, as this causes irritation and leads to dry skin.
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Rinse your razor after every few strokes to clean the hairs and gel from the blades. Clogged razors irritate the skin.
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Apply a moisturizer within ten minutes of shaving. Follow your moisturizer's directions regarding how lightly or liberally to use it. Avoid moisturizers with menthol, alcohol and perfume, which all dry out the skin, and use baby-safe products on sensitive areas.
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Change your razor head when you begin to need more pressure to shave. Shaving with a dull razor irritates the skin.
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Tips & Warnings
If you have very sensitive skin, use an electric razor. Electric razors don't shave as closely as manual razors, so they don't irritate and dry the skin as much. Use the same shaving techniques, but shave without water if your razor is not waterproof. Follow the manufacturer's instructions when using your electric razor.
After shaving their faces, men should apply unscented aftershave without alcohol or menthol instead of moisturizers.
Don't use an alcohol-based shaving gel, as this will dry your skin.
Don't apply deodorant immediately after shaving your underarms unless it's a moisturizing, unscented product.
References
Resources
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