How to Avoid Skin Irritation while Shaving

Episode #20 / Jun 8, 2009

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For most women, controlling unwanted hair is a necessary evil. But a particularly convenient way to control that hair is with shaving. Unfortunately, a lot of women experience shaving irritation because they just don’t know the tips and tricks to avoid it, so let me help you. First, and most important, shave only in the shower. At the beginning of the shower, use a cleanser on the areas that you‘re going to shave, and the reason for that is the cleanser will strip the oils off the hairs, so those hairs can be penetrated by and softened by the moisture in the shower. In the course of the shower, the steam of the shower will soften those hairs and then, at the end of the shower, with the water still running so you still have the steam in the shower, take shaving gel, not shaving cream, and use a razor that has two or three parallel blades, not one of the daily disposable razors because they’re not sharp enough and, with that razor, shave first with the grain of the hair. If you’re not sure which way the grain is, take your hand and whichever way feels smooth without a stubble, is the way the grain goes and shave in that direction first. If that still does not give you a close enough shave, then you can shave against the grain but only then. At the end of the shower, pat your skin dry, don’t’ rub it, and then after you’re dry, take a moisturizer and use a moisturizer over the area. I promise, if you use these techniques for shaving, you will experience significantly less shaving irritation.

Shaving is a necessary evil and we all know that irritation (whether that's sensitive skin or in-grows) happens to the best of us. The good news is that this is preventable. Dr. Schultz will walk you through some easy steps to avoiding skin irritation from shaving.

COMMENTS (7)

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thomas daley on November 4, 2009 at 8:16pm

does laser hair removal work on mens coarse facial hair and how many on average and how often and is it really permanet

Neal Schultz, M.D. on November 20, 2009 at 9:38pm

@Thomas: Laser hair removal is permanent hair reduction and usually works very well on men's coarse facial hair. With each treatment the hair will become finer and less noticable. One can need anywhere from four to eight treatments spaced four weeks or longer apart.

thomas daley on November 25, 2009 at 7:58pm

thank you dr neal schultz you are the best what is goood shave gel or shave cream for sensitve skin and a heavy corse facial hair

thomas daley on December 4, 2009 at 3:59pm

how much does it reduce hair permanetly after 4 to 8 treatments and how often do you do it what about tria its a new home laser you shave first then use it it cost 800

Neal Schultz, M.D. on December 10, 2009 at 6:52pm

@Thomas: Thank you for your kind words. I believe that shave gels are much more gentle than shave creams, for sensitive skin. Edge makes a great shave gel labeled specifically for sensitive skin. But frankly, I have tried a dozen different ones and they all work fine. The issue isn't the brand but rather how you use it. In the shower, wash your face at the start of the shower (this removes oils from beard hairs that prevent the warm steam of the shower from penetrating and softening beard hairs). Then at end of the shower with the water still running and maintaining a steamy envirnment, use a shave gel as follows (note that it's easier if you hang a non glass mirror in the shower):

1. Apply gel to entire beard

2. Use a razor with two or three parallel blades (i.e., not a disposable single use razor)

3. Shave in the direction of the"grain" of beard (i.e., the direction that feels the least stubbly or rough when you gently rub your fingers over your beard). Shave only half your face.

4. Rinse the gel off of your entire face, even the half you didn't shave

5. Re-apply gel to entire face

6. Finish shaving the rest of your face in the direction of the grain

7. Rinse your entire face

8. If you want a closer shave, reapply the gel to your entire face and shave against the grain

9. Rinse

10. Do not apply after shave lotion

Good luck!

thomas daley on December 10, 2009 at 7:29pm

great thats the won i use already its an a black and orange can from edge great what do u think of stiraight edge razors

Neal Schultz, M.D. on January 5, 2010 at 12:59am

@Thomas Delay: I think they are very effective if maintained sharp, but require more skill that safety razors.