Hair and Skin

The body's largest organ, skin not only protects us against environmental influences, but also acts as a continuous conductor sending sensory information to the brain for processing.
Skin consists of two primary layers: the epidermis and dermis. The epidermis is the external layer of skin and is composed mainly of a protein called Keratin. The inner layer of skin, known as the dermis, contains collagen protein which provides strength and contains the nerves, blood vessels, sweat glands, oil glands and upper part of the hair follicle.
The skin is in a constant state of renewal as cells from below divide and replenish aging cells above. Every 14 days the external skin surface is renewed, and every 45-75 days skin undergoes a complete re-building of its full thickness.

Myths vs. Facts

Myth: The age that you begin to shave influences the amount of hair you will have on your legs and underarms. Fact: These factors are determined strictly by heredity. Early experiences with shaving coincide with the natural increase in hair growth resulting from puberty. Myth: Shaving promotes darker, thicker or faster re-growth of hair on legs and underarms. Fact: Since shaving removes hair on the surface of the skin, it doesn't affect the color or the thickness of the hair. After an area has been shaved, the hair shafts start to emerge from the follicle, so your hair looks and feels coarse and bristly. If you allow the hair to grow out, it will take on its original appearance and texture. Myth: A tan can be removed by shaving. Fact: Tanning occurs at the lower levels of your skin, where the skin's pigment cells are located. Razor blades never come in contact with these cells. Shaving can actually "polish" your skin and give it a healthy glow. You'll improve the look of your tan by removing flaky surface skin cells that give your skin a dull appearance.

Stopping the Bleeding from a Shaving Nick

Press an ice cube on it for two minutes. Then dab on antibiotic ointment and apply a bandage to avoid infection. Know that dry skin breaks more easily. And for extra protection, switch to a shaving oil with smoothing lubricants. Also, try Pacific Shaving Company's Nick Stick.

How to Shave Properly

1. Give a haircut. Trim hair down first as short as possible by placing comb flat on the skin and trim over comb with scissors, or with clippers using the shortest guard. The less hair you start out with means less use of your razor.
2. Take a warm shower or bath. At least 10 minutes of the heat will soften skin and relax the hair follicle.
3. Exfoliate. Rid dead skin cells and provide a closer shave by using a mild exfoliator.
4. Dab on some shaving oil. Working as a barrier on your skin, the razor will glide easier instead of dragging and moisturize skin. It also helps prevent razor burn, general irritation and ingrown hairs.
6. Shave. Using a fresh blade, first go in the same direction of hair growth and then in opposite direction while holding skin taut. Don't go over the same area too many times.
7. Rinse. In between strokes, be sure to rinse blade. A clogged razor won't work well.
8. Cleanse. Rinse pubic area and pat dry with towel.
9. Moisturize. Apply a light, preferably unscented lotion.
10. Fight ingrown hairs. It has a lot to do with the products used with shaving. Using a shaving oil protects skin working as a barrier so the razor will glide easier instead of dragging, for a more comfortable shave. Made up of oils, it replenishes moisture lost from shaving and wards off irritation. Skin that is soft and pliable makes ingrown hair harder to break into.

Exfoliating

Be sure to exfoliate your skin before shaving. It gets rid of all the dead skin cells that could clog up your razor, preventing a close shave.

Frequency of Hair Growth

Shaving your hair (facial or elsewhere) will not cause your hair to grow more quickly or in a greater amount. However, frequent shaving will make your hair more stubby (stiff and bristly) and seem to appear more prominent.

Shaving Chest Hair

First, reduce the length of the chest hair with a beard trimmer or hair clippers or scissors, but keep those blades off the skin itself. Wash the skin first with warm water so that the skin is very clean. Use a new blade or new disposable razor. The sharper it is the less it will nick. Apply shaving oil before beginning the shave. Do a small section at a time. Use a light touch when shaving. Be careful when shaving the area around the nipples. After shaving, exfoliate your chest daily so you won't get ingrown hairs. Don't wash your skin with hot or cold water. Last of all, don't press against the skin with the razor.

Preventing Razor Burn

Razor burn is caused by hair that is pushed back into the follicle. It can become inflamed and then develop into an ingrown hair.

Use the following suggestions to minimize the risk of razor burn:

1. Use a clean, sharp razor each time.

2. Always shave in the direction of the hair growth.

3. Shave after your shower.

4. Using a shaving oil or gel rather than a cream helps avoid clogging the pores.

5. Avoid passing the razor over the same area numerous times

6. If razor burn appears, apply an aloe-vera based cortisone cream twice a day to soothe the skin and reduce redness.

Aftercare of Shaving

Splashing the skin with cold water after shaving will help tone your skin, will help remove any soap and lather, and also will help stop any bleeding from nicks and cuts from shaving.

Irritation From Shaving

Do not apply deodorants, anti-perspirants or perfumes to skin right after shaving. This can cause irritation. If it stings or hurts, you shouldn't be using it.

Ingrown Hairs

Many people get ingrown hairs from shaving, especially around the bikini area. Ingrown hairs can are when the growing hair curls up under the skin instead of growing out like it should. It results in a painful red bump and sometines an infections. Sometimes the hair can be freed with a needle or tweezers. To help prevent ingrown hairs, scrubbing your skin with a loofa or mesh sponge in the shower will help reduce ingrown hairs or infections.

Itching From Shaving

People often find they itch after shaving (or when they start doing so again for the summer). The itching will go away if you keep shaving, particularly if you shave often, as stubble is one major cause of itch. Some anti-itch tips are as follows:
1. Cool the itchy area with a cold wash cloth. It can be laid over the area, or used to pat the irritated skin.
2. Rub the area with an ice cube.
3. Apply a clear, unscented Vitamin E oil or baby oil.
4. Apply an over-the-counter cortizone anti-itch cream (this may help with razor burn and little red bumps as well).
5. Dust with baby powder.
6. Use loofah or an exfoliating mitt, or various exfoliating scrubs available (Apricot Scrub being one of the most common).
7. Apply cool, pure, unscented and undyed aloe vera gel.

Use Of Baby Oil

Baby oil is good to stop irritation and to make skin softer after shaving. It also causes hair seem softer before shaving.

Different Types of Razors

A good angle between a disposable razor and the skin is about 30 degrees. Electric razors are best at a 45 degree angle.

Shaving Tips - Where to Shave

If you're shaving more than one area of the body, apply shaving oil to all areas, and then start shaving the finest hair first. That allows the shaving oil to sit on the coarser hair longer.

Shaving Tips - preventing irriration

When shaving, do not go over an area repeatedly, because this can cause irritation. For a stray hair you cannot catch, use tweezers. Be especially careful of repeat strokes in sensitive areas such as the bikini line.

Shaving Tips - Underarm hair

A few tips for shaving underarm hair: First, wash to remove any traces of deodorant. Second, raise your arm to the back of your neck to keep your underarm flat and easier to shave. Underarm hair can grow in all directions, so shave up, down and sideways to get the closest shave. Wait a few minutes before applying deodorant to avoid irritation from your antiperspirant.

Shavings Tips - Massage into face

Thoroughly massage shaving oil or shaving cream into stubble. This may provide a close soothing shave and protect against razor rashes and burns.

Shaving Tips - Use an exfoliant

Use an exfoliant such as a facial cleanser or scrub to eradicate dead skin cells and open up the pores of the skin to prepare it for a close shave.

Shaving Tips - Prepare for the beach

Some people shave differently in the summer months. If you are going to the beach or pool, you may want to shave the night before to avoid skin irritation from the sun, chlorine or salt water.

Shaving Tips - When to Shave

What time of day is best to shave? Morning, noon or night is fine. Be sure to remember to soak in a warm bath or shower for a few minutes to help soften the hair, making it easier to cut. After you're done, use an alcohol-free lotion to lock in moisture.

Shaving Tips - How often to shave

Many people ask how often they should shave. The answer is: as often as you need to. It's about what feels right for you. Everyone's hair grows in at a different rate.

Shaving Tips - for women

Some women like to shave just above the knee while others take the added step of shaving up past the thigh. There is no right or wrong way, just a personal preference. Finding the right shaving product will help make shaving easier and more comfortable. Shaving oil may work for you.

Shaving Tips - self tanning

When using a self tanner, it is important to remember to shave before you apply the self-tanner because shaving removes dead skin cells, so your color is more even and natural looking. Depending on the formula, dark tinted self-tanner may settle more in pores, so consider shaving the night before to achieve a beautiful, even bronze.

Shaving Tips - tanning

If you want to help stimulate your tan, shaving will benefit you. Shaving oil can help to remove dull, flaky skin that diminishes a healthy glow.