Do you feel prickly after shaving? 11 shaving tips to feel smoother for longer

There are few things as rewarding as feeling the smooth, soft skin on your body after you shave – and few things as boring as the rough stubble that rubs against you when you cross your legs or graze your skin. Of course, this does not mean that body hair To to eliminate, especially because you can’t claim to focus solely on natural health if you don’t recognize that body hair is both useful and unashamed. But if you want smooth, hairless skin, the dream is to make your shave last longer without tingling.

The good news is that the shaving industry has come a long way in the past decade. Products and razors are made in a more thoughtful way. Consumers have a choice when it comes to shaving products in store or directly to the consumer online. And it’s no longer just a choice between a rigid no-frills blade and one with a 4-inch bar of soap attached to it. Even so, the post-shave tingling still exists!

There are options other than shaving if you want to get rid of body hair, like waxing or laser hair removal. But these can be irritating, time consuming, and expensive, all of which get you right back to the basics of a shower, soap, and blade. There are some solid ways to get a close shave with your razor that will keep your skin smooth. Read on for tips and products that will help you have a long shave without that tingling sensation afterwards.

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1. Exfoliate your skin

The closer you can get to the root, the longer your shave will last, but if you have dead skin that is blocking your razor, you’ll end up with prickly hairs in no time. Exfoliation is an obvious solution to this, but, as Dr Anar Mikailov, MD, certified dermatologist and founder of KP Away explains, you have to pay attention to the timing. “Avoid exfoliating right before you shave,” he tells Bustle. Exfoliation causes inflammation, and shaving too – so when you do the two too close to each other, the skin gets “a double hit”, he says, which will lead to irritation.

Exfoliate definitely, whether you choose a physical scrub or a chemical-based product, just be sure to do so at least a day before your waxing, Mikailov explains.

2. Shave like the last step in the shower

When you are in the shower, shaving should be the last thing before going out and drying yourself off. The more time your skin has in the shower, the more steam and water will help prepare it for hair removal. “Hot water will relax the hair follicles and moisten the skin,” says Mikailov, which ultimately means a smoother shave. “The razor will be able to slide with a minimum of friction, which will actually cause less irritation,” he adds. In other words: you will be better able to avoid the inflammation that causes tingling after shaving.

3. Use a shaving foam or gel

The choice of a foam, a gel, a cream or a shaving foam depends above all on your preferences. These are preferable for those who want to see the paths of their progress. These products tend to be more visually obvious, so you’re less likely to miss a spot.

4. Consider a shaving oil

You can also use shaving oil, which is a great choice if you want extra hydration. Just note that while this is a good option for some, these can be harder to see on your skin, create a slippery surface, and require a wait time between application and shaving, Mikailov explains.

Shaving oils may also be preferable for people who want to reduce the ingredients in their personal care products. Typically, these are based on squalane and jojoba oil since “[these ingredients] are the closest oils to reproduce the natural sebum of human skin, ”says Mikailov.

5. Try an electric razor

You do not have to use a standard razor for your shave. According to Mikailov, an electric razor is a great option for people with longer and / or thicker hair. The current class of electric shavers are streamlined and created to help avoid irritation or any risk of nicking – but Mikailov says it also means giving up the closeness you would get when shaving with a manual razor.

6. Use a thick moisturizer

Hydration before and after shaving will keep your skin smooth, hydrated and less prickly. When purchasing an aftershave moisturizer, Mikailov says the product should be emollient (or thick), quickly absorbed, unscented, and contain simple ingredients. Due to the inflammation your body experiences during the shaving process, avoiding chemical exfoliating ingredients (eg AHAs or BHAs) and scent can help bypass the irritation that can cause bumpy, prickly skin.

7. Choose an efficient blade

A dull razor means less control, a greater chance of cutting yourself, and the inability to get a close shave. “A good, smooth shave starts with a great, high-quality razor blade,” says Mikailov. Depending on your comfort level, this could be a safety razor (single-blade) or a less intimidating multi-blade razor. Generally speaking, Mikailov recommends switching to a new blade after four to six uses depending on the thickness of your hair. You can also stock up on razor blade sharpener to keep your favorite stick ready for use.

8. Try laser hair removal at home

If you’re ready to spend more time and money on your hair removal techniques, there is another at-home option that will help you achieve a less prickly shave – an at-home laser hair removal kit. While this was once a treatment only available in a professional practitioner’s office, now there is a plethora of tools that allow you to do it yourself.

These at-home laser hair removal products are the most expensive of the shaving products, typically costing between $ 200 and $ 500. But in-office treatment can cost $ 300 to $ 600 per session depending on the area and the severity of the treatment. The main goal of laser hair removal, however, is to prevent hair regrowth over time, which means a more permanent solution to the tingling. So the benefit could outweigh the initial cost if that is your end goal.

9. Use an epilator

Another alternative tool is an epilator. Like laser, “hair removal has a much better long-term hair removal effect,” says Mikailov. With an epilator, your results will be somewhere between what you would get from waxing and waxing. As you move the tool around hairy areas on your body, it grabs and removes hair from the root.

10. Shave with the grain

There are two things to keep in mind when shaving with a razor if you want to avoid stubble. Shaving with the grain – that is, in the direction of your hair growth – will minimize your risk of irritation, razor burn, or shaving bumps. That said, “backwashing gives you the closest possible shave,” Mikailov told Bustle.

11. Get rid of razor bumps for the next time.

Getting rid of or minimizing the razor bumps and irritation you experience from a shave can help ensure a smooth ride the next time you pick up a blade. If the bumps and irritation have been a long-standing problem, Mikailov recommends going directly to a dermatologist. Otherwise, he advises not to forget to hydrate regularly and to find the time to exfoliate between shaves. And, with the rise of body serums and body-focused skin care, there are products and daily treatments that can be used to help give you the best, smoothest skin that you can enjoy. either – which actually lasts.

Referenced studies:

Evans, RL (2020). The impact of different hair removal behaviors on the biophysical and biochemical characteristics of female axillary skin. International Journal of Cosmetic Science. https://doi.org/10.1111/ics.11648

Tang, SC. (2018). Double effect of alpha-hydroxy acids on the skin. Molecules. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6017965/