Using a razor without following these do’s and don’ts can be harmful

As women, we often tend to use all kinds of hair removal methods to get rid of body or facial hair. Waxing makes us scream in pain (doesn’t it?), but a lot of us go through that ordeal every single month. Some women swear by shaving, and that’s definitely not a bad idea. But you need to remember certain tips that will make the process smooth. No, you can’t just dry shave when you are running late, or tackle your pits with a blunt razor. 

So, how about we take you through some basic rules? To help us with this, HealthShots got in touch with celebrity dermatologist Dr Jaishree Sharad. 

Should shaving be preferred as a way to remove hair?

“Shaving is a universally accepted method of hair removal for all genders. A lot of women believe that after shaving, there is more hair growth or thicker hair, which is a myth. When you shave, you do not pluck the hair from the root, unlike in waxing or threading. So when it grows, it does with a little stubble and you feel it is growing thicker,” says Dr Sharad.

There are ways to shave so that you don’t have ingrowth or folliculitis, bumps or boils, reveals Dr Sharad. Let’s start with the do’s.

1. Do remove all your make-up and cleanse your face or whatever part of the body. In case it isn’t your face, make sure you gently cleanse or exfoliate your skin to get it ready for shaving.

2. Do ensure that your razor is completely clean. Either use a disposable razor and blade or if you reuse it, sterilise it well. Dip it in hot water for at least 20 minutes, before you use it.

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

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3. Do shave in the direction of hair growth. Lather up with gel, stretch the skin and do it. This will help you get a closer shave with minimum irritation. 

4. Do cleanse after shaving, either with an anti-bacterial cream or a moisturiser. 

5. Do keep the razor in a clean and dry place. You do not want your razor to be the centre of fungus build-up or infections.

Here are some don’ts that you MUST remember when you use a razor:

1. Do not dry shave. Always use a shaving cream, preferably something that does not have a fragrance. 

Also, read: Shave your pubic hair if you want, but not at these times

2. Do not shave very close to the skin, because this could lead to injuries.

3. Do not use a blade/razor that is not sterile, since it can cause bacterial infection of the hair follicle. Plus, if the shaving cream is old and contaminated, it can lead  to folliculitis.

The last words

“You can bleach as well but make sure you don’t leave the bleach on for more than 10 minutes, as you don’t want to develop burns or rashes. Bleaching is a good idea only once in two months. I’m not very fond of waxing or threading on the face, especially now that you can end up with folliculitis,” concludes Dr Sharad.