It’s not uncommon to experience some skin irritation after you shave. Fortunately, there are some ways that you can deal with this, and you may be able to prevent it from happening in the future. Here are some strategies for soothing ingrown hairs, razor burn, and other common skin irritations.
Exfoliate Before Shaving
You may often suffer from skin issues because you don’t exfoliate your skin on a regular basis. Exfoliation allows you to remove dead skin cells that can clog your pores, which can cause razor burn and ingrown hairs. Try to exfoliate on days that you aren’t going to shave so that your skin isn’t too sensitive to shave afterwards.
Use a Warm Compress
If you find an ingrown hair or two, you may be tempted to squeeze it in order to try to remove it. Unfortunately, this can cause damage to the skin. Instead, you can encourage the ingrown hair to break through the skin’s surface by applying a warm compress to the area. It will soften the skin, and this will make it easier for the ingrown hair to emerge. The heat will also encourage blood flow to the area, which will encourage growth and help it heal.
Switch to a Razor With a Single Blade
Most of us want our body to remain free of hair for as long as possible after shaving. This is why many people use razors that have multiple blades so that the hair will be cut as close to the surface as possible. However, this can also increase the chances for ingrown hairs and skin irritation. If you are trying to avoid these skin issues, you may need to switch to a shaver with a single blade. Additionally, when you shave, in the direction the hair grows rather than against the grain. Again, this keeps you from shaving too close to the skin and causing irritation.
Get Laser Hair Removal
If you’ve been plagued with skin issues or are just sick of shaving, you should consider getting laser hair removal. You will need several treatments in order for it to be effective. However, it’s a great solution for those that are looking for a permanent way to deal with unsightly hair and frequent hair-related skin irritation.
You don’t have to just live with irritated skin and ingrown hairs that are caused from shaving. There are some things that you can do to soothe irritated skin and keep common skin issues from occurring. By utilizing the tips mentioned above, you can achieve smooth skin without having to suffer from things like ingrown hairs and razor burn.
About the author:
Anita is a freelance writer from Denver, CO. She studied at Colorado State University, and now writes articles about health, business, family and finance. A mother of two, she enjoys traveling with her family whenever she isn’t writing. You can follow her on Twitter @anitaginsburg.