Shaving Tips

Pre-Shaving Techniques:
Many people experience razor burn or other forms of shaving discomfort simply because they don’t take the time to properly soften the hairs before shaving. You need two or three minutes of soaking the hairs before you actually start shaving. Wet hair in the area to be shaved with a hot towel for 15 seconds before shaving or at the end of a shower. With the use of a good razor blade, hair that is wet through and through cuts smoothly and effortlessly. Hair that is not completely wet, however, can be as strong as reinforced concrete.

Cutting through such tough hair often causes hairs to be pulled up from their follicles as they are being cut. These hairs then retract below the flush surface to skin where they are at risk for curving back into the skin as they grow rather than out through the follicle. The forces required to cut such hair also can translate into more friction on the skin that can promote razor bump, ingrown hair, or razor burn. The key is to not dry your skin. While your skin is still wet, apply a shaving gel, Imperial Touch Medicated Shaving Gel. Wait a minute or two and then shave.

Shaving Direction:
Many people shave against the grain, thinking they will get a closer shave. While this may be true, this also causes razor burns. Shave in the same direction your hair grows, (going with the grain). The objective is to angle the razor at 90 degrees. This shaving technique cuts the hair in an effortless fashion nipping the hairs at the grain and not against it. Shaving in the same direction, will also result in less pull on the hairs and less tendency to cut them too short. Hairs cut too short are at risk of curling into the skin causing razor bumps and ingrown hairs.

Minimize repeat shaving strokes
Going over and over the same area may result in hairs cut too short. Repeated shaving strokes increase the risk of razor bumps, ingrown hairs, or razor burns. It is best to shave with just enough overlap to avoid skipping areas. Use short strokes. With long strokes, you tend to press down harder. This causes friction resulting in razor burns.

Skin Position:
Shave with the skin in a neutral relaxed position. This is the best way to shave hair close but not too close. Sometimes the skin must be stretched very slightly to allow the razor to pass smoothly without nicking. Excessive tightening of the skin when shaving, however, tends to result in hairs being shaved below the resting surface of the skin. This occurs because as the skin is stretched tight the hairs actually protrude out a bit farther than when the skin is relaxed. Shaving over stretched skin may cut the hairs below the flush surface of resting skin, increasing the risk of ingrown hairs and also increasing the risk of skin irritation.

Shaving Gel:
Shaving gels are important in the treatment of razor bumps, ingrown hairs and razor burns. A good shaving gel will minimize the friction associated with shaving and reduce the likelihood of ingrown hairs and skin irritations. In addition, avoid using double or triple-edge razors when possible.