If you’re looking to banish your body hair, shaving is undoubtedly one of the most popular methods of hair removal.
Whether you’re a regular de-fluffer, an occasional one or a shaving newbie – either way, the hair removal technique is not without its difficulties. From post-shave irritation to cuts and the dreaded razor bump, shaving incorrectly can be rather ouch!
To shave or not to shave, well that’s completely up to you. But if you are opting to de-fluff with a razor, we’ve chatted to the experts over at Venus and Estrid to get all the insider tips and tricks to shaving like pro.
How to shave
Shaving involves using a razor blade to remove hair. To achieve a smooth and efficient shave, the technique differs depending on the area of your body you are shaving. But in general, it entails the following steps.
No matter which area of your body you are shaving. The number one rule to remember is to never shave dry.
The experts at Estrid explain that "dry shave is a no go".
"Short on time? If you’re skipping exfoliation, give your skin the bare minimum by prepping with nourishing shaving gel or cream. Lather into wet skin and cover your soon-to-be-shaved area before using the razor."
How to shave your legs
Use your razor to shave lightly from the ankles up. Be careful and gentle around your knees.
How to shave your underarms
For your underarms, you will need to shave in all of the directions that your hair grows. Start by shaving upwards, then side to side and then gently downwards.
How to shave your pubic area
For your pubic area, shave in the direction of the hair growth first. Then side to side, and lastly, very gently against the grain for a closer shave.
Exfoliation – is it best before or after shaving?
An exfoliating body scrub or body wash is a great way to prep your skin for hair removal and to help minimise ingrown hairs.
“If you want a closer, longer-lasting shave, try exfoliating before you start shaving,” explains Kate Wilson, Venus Scientist. “Exfoliation helps to remove any surface-level, dead skin and helps your razor glide over your skin more easily. Especially when shaving the pubic area, gentle exfoliation can help reduce skin irritation by releasing hairs trapped under the skin.”
Choosing the right razor
“There are still lots of myths when it comes to the relationship between our skin and our hair removal routines, many of which can be addressed simply by choosing a razor that’s right for your skin’s individual needs,” explains Kate Wilson, Venus Scientist.
“Just like we tailor care for our faces, we can also very simply do the same for our legs, underarms, toes or stomachs as part of existing routines – what’s important is feeling confident and comfortable in your skin, however you choose to care for it.”
“It’s important to choose a razor that is designed for the curves and contours of the body areas you want to shave.”
“This is especially important if you choose to shave your pubic area, where the skin and hair is completely different to other parts of your body you might be shaving. Pubic hair is coarse and the skin is delicate, so for many of us it requires a different approach to help avoid shave bumps, ingrown hairs, and itchiness.”
Shaving Aftercare
Not sure what to do once you’ve de-fluffed? The secret to silky-smooth skin is moisturising.
“When you’ve finished shaving, rinse, pat your skin dry and apply your favourite moisturiser,” says Kate Wilson, Venus Scientist. “Post-shave moisturising will help keep your freshly shaven skin healthy and hydrated. What’s more, since soap and water can often cause dry skin, applying a post-shave moisturiser helps to protect your skin against moisture loss while shaving.”
Venus Scientist, Kate Wilson’s Top Tips for Shaving
Hydrate your skin & hair before you shave
“When your skin is well-hydrated, your body hair will soften and become up to 60% easier to cut, resulting in less chances of skin irritation. Soak the area you plan to shave by taking a warm shower or bath.”
Regularly replace your blades
“Over a third of women (38%) don’t know that you should replace your razor blades on a regular basis to ensure a close, smooth shave and to help reduce skin irritation. How often you need to change your blades depends on how often you’re shaving, but ultimately you need to make sure your razor blade is sharp and clean. This will reduce the chance of feeling the blade pull on your body hair or feel rough while gliding across your skin. If your blade starts to do this, it’s time to replace it.”
Use shaving cream for additional skin care benefits
“71% of us believe soap and water work just as well as shaving cream, however using a shave gel properly will help prevent moisture loss and add an additional layer of protection to avoid any scratches, cuts and hair pull while you shave. This helps reduce itchy razor bumps and skin irritation post-shave, especially if your skin is more sensitive or you’re shaving a sensitive area such as your pubic hair. Using shaving gel also shows you exactly where you’ve shaved with your razor already. This helps you avoid having to re-shave over any areas and reduce chances of skin irritation.”
Is shaving bad for your skin?
Put simply, the answer is no.
Kate Wilson, Venus Scientist, reveals that “almost a third of UK women (30%) wrongly believe that shaving every day is bad for your skin. The tools and techniques you use to shave are more important than how often you shave – make sure to use the right products for you!”
Other methods of hair removal
While shaving is one of the most popular ways to de-fluff - it's cheap, quick and easy to do from the comfort of your home, there are several other ways to remove hair that you may prefer.
Hair removal creams are ideal for sensitive skin and hair removal beginners, as there is very little room for error. For those wanting a longer-lasting method of hair removal, waxing is the way to go. For your pubic area, you may want to opt for a Brazilian wax or to go completely hair-free, a Hollywood wax.
If you're looking to invest in semi-permanent hair removal, you might want to consider laser hair removal.
Remember though, you should never feel pressured or expected to remove body hair. Hair removal and whether you shave certain areas of your body, is completely your choice.