How to Shave Sensitive Skin

Shaving is an extremely unpleasant experience for some people. You start shaving, the skin is smooth, and then it turns red, becomes full of rashes. You have got a sensitive skin if these problems are a common occurrence. People with sensitive skin should take some precautionary steps before and after shaving, so please enjoy our tips for men and women on shaving sensitive skin.

Know About Sensitive Skin 

You have got a sensitive skin if fine texture is covered by a thin layer of outer skin. Blood vessels inside the epidermis appear quite close to the surface in such cases. This skin gets irritated very easily upon exposure to heat, cold, commercial products and ultraviolet rays.

You may end up with bumps, dryness, stinging and redness if you are not careful while shaving areas with sensitive skin. A sensitive skin is likely to develop undesirable redness, dehydration and blotchiness due to external or internal changes. Clinical trials conducted by various independent study groups and research organizations suggest that mild and fragrance free shaving products are best suited for the sensitive skin.

Useful Tips on Shaving Sensitive Skin

1. Thoroughly wet your beard before you start shaving: Use a little warm water to wet your beard thoroughly. This should be done at least 5 minutes in advance. People with sensitive skin should shave after the shower and not before it. Shaving off wet hair is easier. Your razor blade will cause less skin damage in that case.
2. Always use a sharp razor blade: It is very important to use a sharp razor blade if you have a sensitive skin. Old or used razor blades can cause a lot of pulling and irritation. Your skin will suffer more damages in such cases. Dull razor blades are likely to cause a burning sensation. These blades do not glide smoothly over the skin. They will just chafe the skin as you try to remove the beard.
3. Do not use common shaving products: People with sensitive skin should always buy products that are labeled as "perfume free" or dry free. Chances of an adverse reaction are much less if you use safe products. Commercial products that are especially labeled for sensitive skin have ingredients with lower pH value. Experts recommend products with natural ingredients for people who have sensitive skin. Also, you should look for products that have butyle paraben or methyl paraben as preservatives. In any case, you should avoid products with botanical or antibacterial ingredients. Your skin will be more supple and well hydrated if you moisturize it properly.
4. Lather up no matter where you are shaving: Whether you are shaving your beard, legs or underarms, you must remember to lather properly. You can use a mild soap with low pH or a shaving cream labeled "for sensitive skin".
5. Have patience: Don't be in a hurry when you start shaving sensitive skin areas. Never run the razor blade over skin areas that have been shaved off already. You will end up with burning sensations or itching immediately if you run the blade over areas that you have shaven already. It is fine to spend an additional five minutes to shave slowly and avoid extremely irritating consequences including redness, dehydration and blotchiness.
6. Try to shave less: Your skin will burn a lot less if you apply fewer strokes with your razor blade. Apply effective and careful strokes every time.
7. Do not shave against the hair growth: You should always shave in the direction of the growth of hair. Less pulling and irritation takes place when you apply razor blade strokes along the grain of hair growth. Shaving in the opposite direction will lead to irritation almost immediately.
8. Leave potentially dangerous areas: Hair over a sensitive skin will protrude a little more than normal if you go on pulling and stretching. Chances of ingrown hair are pretty high if you shave over the stretched skin area.
9. Exfoliate on a regular basis: You should use a good exfoliating cleanser at least once a week. This way, your skin will get rid of dead skin-cells that cause damage. Also, trapped hairs on the sensitive skin are freed by dead cell removal.
10. Do not temper existing bumps: It is important to avoid existing razor bumps. These bumps can cause significant irritation or scars. They will start bleeding as soon as you run the razor blade over them.
11. Moisturize the skin on a regular basis: It is important to use a lotion with aloe for this purpose. Always buy moisturizers meant for "sensitive skin" only.

Getting a smooth and painless shave is possible if you are ready to follow tips for shaving sensitive skin (for men and women as well) mentioned above. Taking all these precautionary measures is really worth it. You can successfully avoid razor burns, bumps, rashes and ingrown hairs. Be a little careful and you can easily avoid adverse effects.