If you ask skin, shaving is in itself a rather aggressive procedure. Yet 65% of men shave every day. Consequently, the appearance of pimples and other skin irritations following a shave is a very common phenomenon that most just take for granted rather than looking for a
In fact, rashes on the face due to shaving, are not as trivial of a symptom as it may seem at first glance. It is unwise to ignore it, and one should find the cause and try to prevent or solve it. According to many studies, 60% to 80% of men with dark skin suffer from post-shave pimples at different degrees, while only 15% to 20% of men with light skin. Almost any inflammation of the skin, especially on and around the face, is a sign of infection and can lead to complications as well as spread the infection throughout the body. Luckily if you succeed in uncovering the true cause of post-shave acne, it is not very difficult to get rid of it once and for all.
Why shaving irritates, and how to avoid the appearance of pimples?
The after-shave buttons may appear for different reasons. To effectively solve the problem, you must detect it and then eliminate it.
Health problems
Before looking for a way to get rid of post-shave acne, you need to make sure that it is, in fact, the result of the suspected action. This is because, as most of you know, the problem may actually be related to one’s internal organs. Shaving, for its part, may only contribute to irritating and further injuring the already inflamed skin. The following is a list of common causes of rashes on the face:
• Allergic reactions to cosmetics, medicines, animal hair, etc.
• Hormonal imbalance: can occur at any age,
• Dysbiosis: the accumulation of toxins in the intestine is almost always followed by a rash on the face,
• Dermatitis and other skin diseases,
• Fungal infections,
• Stress: A person’s psycho-emotional state affects not only their skin but also it is directly related to the activity of all internal organs and systems, which can subsequently have a snowball effect resulting in skin irritations.
When diagnosing rashes in the case of shaving are hidden at the hair follicles of the face. When you start shaving, the blade inevitably hits and hurts these pimples and pustules. Subsequently, sweat, dirt, sebum and other irritants enter, and red acne is the visible result of the infection. If the inflammation, irritation and redness do not go away after two or three following the shave, and if the acne gets worse, becomes painful, and itchiness increases, then it is time to book an appointment with a good dermatologist.
Blunt blade
The mother of all causes of post-shave skin irritations. This is often the consequence of a poor quality or dull blade. If you have the habit of making your blades last, it should be no surprise that acne on the cheeks, chin and especially on the neck may occur almost continuously. Professionals recommend changing the blade after every second procedure, and if you use disposable razors, it is better to actually dispose of them after one or two uses. On the other hand, post-shave acne appears when men, especially young men shave against the grain rather than with the grain of the hair. Coupled with the commonly “curly” nature of beard hairs, also, a super close shave can cause the hair to invert on itself before breaking through the surface of the skin, and result in an ingrown hair; one of the most painful and irritating relents of against-the-grain shaving.
Substandard products
A skin rash on the face can easily occur when you apply a poorly chosen or poor-quality product, even if you do it properly, even use a clean, sharp razor and shave strictly with the grain. Surveys show that most men do buy products to treat their skin before, during, and after shaving. However, this is done with two conditions in mind:
• The Price/brand,
• The smell.
One should always keep in mind that sometimes, rashes can occur simply due to the ingredients in the shaving products.
Incorrect shaving technique
According to many studies, 80% of men shave incorrectly throughout their adult lives! The main errors are:
• Shaving against the grain,
• Refusal to apply quality skin-care products before, during, and after shaving,
• Preferring dry shaving with electric and even non-electric razors.
Tips for a perfect shave
The hairs on the face tend to grow in different directions and differently, on different people. They are distinguishable by their relative thickness and it is not always possible to eliminate them adequately with just one stroke. Some hair follicles are more sensitive than others, which is why one should adapt the shave to the beard. If you follow the following rules and advice, shaving will be a much more comfortable, quick and enjoyable ritual in your life.
Prepare your skin for shaving!
A good shave must involve a clean skin. If you already suffer from acne, your skin is already significantly more sensitive when being scraped against razor blades. It is therefore even important to protect it! As commonly done, it is always better to wet the skin with hot water, under a good shower or hot wet towel. This will open not only your pores and clean your skin, but it will make your hair more flexible and easier to cut. Another happy result of this procedure is a lower number of accidental cuts.
Pick the correct shaving products
It is very important that before and after each shaving session, your skin is deeply nourished and given the ingredients for a full and rapid recovery. Apply your shaving product (shaving soap or oil preshave) shortly following the shower so that the skin remains hydrated. the more hydrated it is, the gentler the shave will be. After shaving, the skin is weakened and stressed. Use a hypoallergenic moisturizer or antiseptic to help the skin recover and remain protected while it does so. It should go without saying that in order to protect your skin from the blades, and even more so when it is already susceptible to acne, experiment with and invest in high-quality products.
What type of razor?
It is, of course, acceptable to choose either a mechanical or electric razor. Dermatologists suggest using “razors with multiple blades are to be avoided”. If you choose a mechanical razor, you can use a razor with a single blade, shaving with the grain to avoid irritation and ingrown hairs. It is suggested to not shave very regularly; to let the hair regrow slightly before the next shave. Either that, so switch to an electric razor.
I repeat: Shave in the direction of the grain
Always shave in the direction that your hair grows, not against it! Start with the cheeks and proceed to the neck area. Gently with confident and precise gestures. Keep the chin and mustache for the end, since these are the more challenging. Keep in mind that though the face is a small area, different parts of it may have hair growing in opposite directions. Find your patterns and stick to them. The shave may not be as close, but at least, you will minimize the possibility of irritation.
Hygiene
Not complying with the most basic of hygienic habits is another major cause of acne after shaving. People often use dirty tools and towels. After each shave, all items should be thoroughly washed in hot water and disinfected. We should mention, though it should be common knowledge, that personal hygiene tools, especially the razor should never be shared. The razor you use for your face should not be used for on any other part of the body.
To sum it all up, in order to effectively eliminate post-shaving irritations, redness and rashes, seek the cause of its existence, then correct the underlying habits that lead to it. If the cause is detected first, then its consequences are easily manageable. You can use for this purpose some professional or popular remedies. If everything is done correctly, the daily ritual of shaving becomes a pleasant and useful procedure.
