How to Shave Your Armpits Safely

Shave in the direction of hair growth to avoid nicks.

There's a right way and a wrong way to do everything -- even shaving under your arms. Follow a few simple steps to shave cleanly and safely.

Things You'll Need

• Shaving cream or bar soap
• Safety razor with a new blade or a sharp disposable razor
• Moisturizer (optional)

Instructions

1. Soak your skin in a warm bath or shower before shaving. This softens the skin and makes shaving easier.

2. Lather your armpits generously with shaving cream or bar soap. Allow the lather to soak in to soften skin and underarm hairs.

3. Shave in the direction of hair growth to prevent ingrown hairs, or shaving bumps. If this isn't effective, carefully shave up and down and side to side. Stretch skin taut. Avoid shaving the same area of the skin over and over, which can cause razor burn.

4. Rinse your armpits thoroughly and dry off. Apply a moisturizer to the shaved areas.

Tips & Warnings

• Replace blades frequently in your razor, or use a new disposable razor. Dull blades cause nicks and don't give a clean shave.

• Be careful when applying deodorant after shaving. Depending on the formula, deodorant can irritate freshly shaved skin.

References

• WebMD: Shaving Tips for Teen Girls; 2010
• BellaSugar: How-To -- Shave Your Pits for Smooth Results; April 2009