Shaving is one of the most common forms of hair removal out there, and is practised regularly by both men and women. From an effective exfoliant to a protective emollient, these are some essential items to keep in your shave kit.
Exfoliant
Whether you happen to be shaving your face or your legs, exfoliating your skin beforehand will make a huge difference to the outcome of your shave. Exfoliation clears away the layer of dead skin cells that build up on the surface of the skin, which means that the razor has a much cleaner slate to work from, and prevents the razor from becoming clogged up. Exfoliation is also useful when it comes to preventing ingrown hairs, which is when hair starts to grow inwards due to being blocked by dead skin cells in the hair follicle. This makes it absolutely vital to include an exfoliant in your shave kit, whether this may be a gentle scrub for your face or a loofah for your body.
Shaving Cream
Shaving creams contain emollients that cover the skin with a protective film, providing a cushion between your skin and your razor, while making the outer layers of skin much softer and more flexible. While some people’s skin may be able to tolerate dry shaving, this is never usually a good idea, as it paves the way for everything from rashes to bumps to ingrown hairs. In addition to shaving creams, you also have the options of gels and foams, and each of these will have their own set of pros and cons. A foam may be easy to use, but they tend to dry the skin out quite quickly, making them unsuitable for those with dry or sensitive skin, while the transparency of a gel makes it easy to manoeuvre your razor around tricky areas. However, a shaving cream is usually the richest form of lubrication to use before shaving, and with most of them being glycerine-based, they do not dry out the skin, providing it with moisturizing properties instead.
Spare Blades
The more that a razor blade is used, the blunter it will become, making it important to have sharp and clean spare blades in your shave kit. Shaving with a blunt razor means that you have to apply more pressure with each stroke, which pulls at the skin and causes irritation. Blunt razors also often leave areas of stubble behind, meaning that you have to run your razor over the same area multiple times in order to fully remove the hair, which can cause quite a bit of damage to your skin.
Post-Shave Balm
Also referred to as an aftershave balm, a post-shave balm will help to soothe the skin cells that are normally irritated by a razor, enabling them to heal faster and preventing any ingrown hairs. Since shaving is also a form of exfoliation, your skin will be more sensitive after it has been shaved, making it important to provide it with this extra layer of moisture and protection.
There are a number of different skin issues that can arise from using incorrect shaving products or techniques, making it important to understand exactly what you need in order to keep your skin healthy if you regularly shave. Fortunately, you only need a few essential products to do this, and as long as your shave kit contains all that is mentioned above, you will be able to protect your skin from any damage that shaving may cause.
