Here’s the whole truth about shaving your face, as told by a dermatologist

If you follow beauty’s biggest influencer, Huda Kattan of Huda Beauty, you’ll find that she has a rather unexpected way of ensuring her skin is smooth as butter for make-up application. Yes, I’m talking about shaving your face. 

Historically, women have always been told to avoid shaving their faces and body parts, and that’s why this hair removal technique comes as a shocker. The reason is probably because of the common belief that shaving increases the risk of cuts and infections, causes redness and pigmentation, and makes hair grow back darker and thicker as compared to waxing, threading, and other forms of hair removal. 

But here’s some real talk

Turns out that shaving is actually a great and convenient way to get rid of unwanted peach fuzz. In fact, the Japanese have been doing it for years. The only catch? Follow the right technique otherwise you’ll have a hard time hiding the nicks from a face shaving accident. 

Here’s how you can go about it

First things first, it is essential that you start with a brand new, clean razor that is designed especially for shaving your face. So as short on time as you might be, the handy Gillette that’s lying in your shower is a big no-no. 

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To begin, wet your face with warm water to soften the hair and apply a shaving cream or gel. Unlike your legs and arms, make sure you shave IN THE DIRECTION of the hair growth, instead of the opposite, to prevent accidents. 

Finish with a moisturiser that is rich in antioxidants to help to minimise inflammation and irritation. Et voila, your skin will feel baby soft and super exfoliated.  

There’s a caveat

Shaving your face also means being on a constant vigil, because unlike waxing or threading, you will definitely see a stubble in just 24 hours. Chances are that you’ll have to shave almost every alternate day to avoid visible regrowth, which is quite a commitment. Ingrown hairs can also occur if you shave incorrectly or have dry skin, so exfoliate regularly with a scrub to guard against this. 

If you have acne-prone skin, avoid shaving as it might be too harsh on the breakouts and increase scarring. And before you ask–no, shaving does not make hair grow back faster or darker. Your hair is just more visible because of the stubble. 

So if you’re up for a little extra after-care in exchange of the gruesome pain of waxing and threading, shaving is a perfectly safe and effective way to get rid of facial hair. Razors up, ladies!